Our 2025/26 campaign is less than six weeks away and as we edge closer to its commencement, we can confirm every applicable round date for all three of our FA competitions.

Eastwood CFC reached the Second Round Proper of the FA Vase last season following a victory over Stapenhill, but a spot in the Third Round was squandered against fellow UCL North outfit Lincoln United, following a penalty shoot out defeat at Coronation Park. Ball and Thomas’ side were less successful in the FA Cup, exiting the tournament on home soil in a Replay at the Extra Preliminary Round stage, three days after a hard fought 0-0 with 10 men at Coleshill Town.

The Red Badgers are set to kick off their FA Cup campaign in the Extra Preliminary Round starting at the beginning of August, and expected to enter the FA Vase ten weeks later in the First Round Proper. Our Academy Under 18s get the ball rolling in the 2025/26 FA Youth Cup on the w/c 1st of September, starting in the Preliminary Round after a strong campaign last time around.

FA Cup round dates

Extra Preliminary Round: Saturday 2nd August 2025

Preliminary Round : Saturday 16th August 2025

First Round Qualifying: Saturday 30th August 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Saturday 13th September 2025

Third Round Qualifying: Saturday 27th September 2025

Fourth Round Qualifying: Saturday 11th October 2025

First Round Proper: Saturday 1st November 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 6th December 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 10th January 2026

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 14th February 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 7th March 2026

Quarter-Final: Saturday 4th April 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday 25th April 2026

Final: Saturday 16th May 2026

FA Vase round dates

First Round Proper: Saturday 18th October 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 8th November 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 6th December 2025

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 17th January 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 7th February 2026

Sixth Round Proper: Saturday 28th February 2026

Semi-Final:
1st Leg - Saturday 28th March 2026
2nd Leg - Saturday 4th April 2026

Final: Sunday 17th May 2026

FA Youth Cup round dates

Preliminary Round: Monday 1st September 2025

First Round Qualifying: Monday 15th September 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Monday 29th September 2025

Third Round Qualifying: Monday 13th October 2025

Competition Proper – Ties to be played by the following closing date:

First Round Proper: Saturday 1st November 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 22nd November 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 13th December 2025

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 24th January 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 21st February 2026

Sixth Round Proper: Saturday 14th March 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday 11th April 2026

Final: Saturday 9th May 2026