Do FA Cup third round games go to extra-time or replays? Rules explained

Sheffield United v Cardiff City - Emirates FA Cup Third Round — There is a major change to the FA Cup this season… (Photo: Getty)

The FA Cup third round is underway as Premier League clubs enter the competition on one of the best weekends in the football calendar.

Every season, the third round offers up several ‘David vs Goliath’ fixtures and this year is no exception, with non-league side Tamworth hosting Tottenham the pick of the bunch.

Elsewhere, Liverpool take on Accrington Stanley and Manchester City face the Class of ’92-owned Salford City, while there’s a huge clash between heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester United.

But there is a major change to the rules for this season’s FA Cup, one that has proven extremely controversial among fans, players, managers and club owners…

Do FA Cup third round games go to extra-time or replays?

As of the start of the 2024/25 season, FA Cup replays have been scrapped from the first round proper onwards.

As such, if the scores are level at full-time, the match will go to extra-time. If the additional 30 minutes does not provide a winner then the tie is decided by a penalty shootout.

Aston Villa FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League — Critics say that scrapping replays only benefits Premier League teams (Photo: Getty)

Why were replays scrapped?

The decision to scrap replays was announced in April last year after the Football Association agreed a new scheduling deal with the Premier League.

The deal is in place for the next six years with England’s top-flight set to provide grassroots football with an extra £33million worth a funding per season.

It is said the decision was made in part because of the expansion of European competitions, with Champions League and Europa League games now being played in January.

Sheffield Wednesday v Birmingham City - Sky Bet Championship — The EFL say they were not consulted on the change (Photo: Getty)

In theory, no replays will ease congestion – for both teams playing in Europe and those in the EFL – and support player welfare, but the move has been slated by non-Premier League clubs.

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Replays have provided smaller teams with the opportunity to boost their finances and in some cases have guaranteed their survival, and while the FA have agreed extra payments to compensate clubs, those affected say they were not consulted over the change.

‘The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA,’ the English Football League said in a statement last year.

‘Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL Clubs as members of the FA and participants in the competition.

‘This latest agreement between the Premier League and the FA, in the absence of financial reform, is just a further example of how the EFL and its Clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the future of the English game.’