The 2025/26 FA Cup third round draw has paired Premier League clubs with lower-league opponents for matches starting January 9. Defending champions Crystal Palace travel to sixth-tier Macclesfield, while Liverpool host third-tier Barnsley. Several ties, including four involving top-flight and Championship sides plus two all-Premier League clashes, will be broadcast live on BBC and TNT Sports.
The draw for the FA Cup third round took place on December 8, 2025, ahead of the final second-round tie between Brackley Town and Burton Albion. This marks the first involvement of Premier League teams in the 2025/26 competition, offering EFL and non-league clubs a chance for upsets.
Key fixtures include Crystal Palace's defense beginning away at Macclesfield, a sixth-tier side, and Liverpool welcoming Barnsley from League One. All-Premier League encounters feature Tottenham hosting Aston Villa and Manchester United facing Brighton & Hove Albion. Other notable ties are Manchester City versus Exeter City, Arsenal at Portsmouth, and Chelsea away to Charlton Athletic.
The matches span four days. On Friday, January 9, 2026, all games kick off at 19:30 GMT, with Wrexham versus Nottingham Forest live on TNT Sports 1. Saturday, January 10, features early 12:15 starts like Macclesfield versus Palace on BBC One and TNT Sports 1, alongside standard 15:00 kick-offs for most ties. Evening games include Tottenham versus Aston Villa at 17:45 on BBC and TNT Sports, and Charlton versus Chelsea at 20:00 on TNT Sports. Sunday, January 11, highlights Derby County versus Leeds United at 12:00 on BBC and TNT Sports 2, with Manchester United versus Brighton at 16:30 on TNT Sports 1. The round concludes Monday, January 12, with Liverpool versus Barnsley at 19:45 on TNT Sports 1.
UK viewers can stream BBC matches via BBC iPlayer, available on multiple devices. TNT Sports games are accessible through Discovery Plus for £29.99 monthly, including Eurosport. The full draw comprises 32 ties, with the fourth round set for February 14, 2026, progressing to the final on May 16.