The FA has decided to revamp the FA Cup, eliminating replays starting from the first round and shifting the final to no longer conclude the season. This change follows extensive discussions with the Premier League, which will boost its contribution to lower leagues and grassroots football by £33 million annually. The agreement also modifies the domestic football calendar by extending the off-season and discontinuing the Premier League’s recent winter break. FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham highlighted that these changes will reinforce the FA Cup’s role as a significant source of revenue and its importance to English football.
Revised FA Cup Format Affects Smaller Clubs and Schedules
Traditionally, Cup replays provided smaller clubs with opportunities to generate significant additional revenue. For instance, Newport County, a League Two team, saw their turnover increase by nearly £1m during a season with a fourth-round replay at Wembley against Tottenham in 2017, bringing the club into profitability. However, recent changes have eliminated replays, with all matches now progressing to extra time and penalties if needed.
In response, the Premier League has increased its financial contributions to support grassroots football through the Football Foundation and to assist non-league and EFL clubs with infrastructure upgrades via the Premier League Stadium Fund. Additionally, the Premier League has adjusted its schedule to avoid conflicts with FA Cup fifth round and quarter-final matches, extending the fourth round to span six days from Friday to Wednesday to enhance consecutive viewing days for fans.
Furthermore, the Cup final has been rescheduled from the weekend following the last Premier League match to the weekend before the last round of fixtures. The final will now occur on Saturday with no Premier League games scheduled for that day or the previous Friday, followed by a complete round of top-flight games on Sunday.
Revised FA Cup Schedule Extends Summer Break
The FA Cup’s revised schedule will eliminate the current winter break during the fourth round, enabling a delayed start to the league season. This adjustment, along with moving the final earlier, provides players with a longer summer break. According to the FA, this change follows expert medical and technical advice, emphasizing the benefits of a prolonged summer rest over a brief winter hiatus. This ensures that all Premier League clubs can provide players with at least three consecutive weeks off during the summer.
