FA Cup Second Round Draw Details and 2026-27 Competition Schedule
The second round draw takes place on November 9 following the first round conclusion.
1First Round Action Continues
The 2026-27 FA Cup first round features 40 fixtures involving non-league sides and teams from League One and Two. While giants like 2021 winners Leicester City successfully navigated their opening ties, several lower-tier clubs achieved notable upsets, including Kidderminster’s 3-0 victory over Doncaster and Guiseley’s 1-0 win against Sutton United.
2Draw Timing and Logistics
The second round draw is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026. It will occur immediately before the final first-round match between non-league clubs Plymouth Parkway and Berkhamsted. Television coverage begins at 6:30pm GMT on TNT Sports 1, with the draw process expected to commence at approximately 6:45pm before kickoff.
3Broadcasting and Viewing Options
Viewers in the UK can watch the draw live on TNT Sports 1. Additionally, TNT Sports provides a free live stream via their official YouTube channel. For those preferring text-based updates, Standard Sport will host a live blog covering the proceedings as the 40 remaining teams learn their next opponents.
4Tournament Structure and Progression
The second round will consist of 20 fixtures determined by the upcoming draw. These matches are scheduled to take place across the weekend of December 5-6, 2026. The competition format ensures that Premier League and Championship clubs remain exempt until the third round, which is expected to be drawn December 7.
5Notable First Round Results
Competition intensity remains high as 80 teams are whittled down to 40. Recent results include Reading defeating Peterborough and Wigan overcoming Boreham Wood. Meanwhile, Stafford Rangers suffered a heartbreaking exit after leading Grimsby Town by two goals, eventually losing on penalties, while Notts County also advanced via a penalty shootout.
6Non-League Underdog Challenges
At the start of the weekend, 32 non-league sides remained in the competition, aiming to secure spots against higher-ranked EFL opposition. While some teams like Bradford City demonstrated dominance with a 7-0 rout of Marine FC, others like AFC Rushden & Diamonds saw their tournament dreams end against Burton Albion.
7The Path to Wembley
The FA Cup continues to serve as a unique platform where lower-tier clubs face professional EFL teams. This structure creates the potential for significant upsets, as seen in the first round. The upcoming second round serves as the final hurdle before the elite Premier League clubs enter the tournament in December.
8Looking Toward December
With the second round draw imminent, focus shifts to the 20 matches scheduled for early December. These games will finalize the field for the third round. Fans should monitor official announcements regarding ball numbers, which will be confirmed closer to the November 9 draw date to ensure complete transparency for participants.