Major FA Cup change that will impact Man City and Manchester United to be implemented in 2024/25

The Football Association has announced that replays following a draw in FA Cup matches will be scrapped entirely from the first round onwards. This change will be implemented in the 2024/25 edition of the tournament.

It was previously expected that replays would be removed from the third round onwards, but it is now confirmed that all rounds beyond qualifying will be settled without replays. This season’s semi-finals are due to get underway this weekend, with Manchester City taking on Chelsea, and Manchester United locking horns with the only remaining Championship side in Coventry City.

All FA Cup fixtures will also be played on weekends, including the fourth round, fifth round and quarter-finals, which will take place on exclusive weekends. The FA Cup final will be held on the Saturday of the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season. These changes arrive as part of a new six-year agreement between the FA and the Premier League and will be in place for a minimum of the six seasons. Both bodies are confident the alterations will ‘strengthen’ the current format of the competition.

"The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 percent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future,” said FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

"This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar. The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.”

Bullingham has also stated that new funding has been agreed to support grassroots levels, disability football and the women’s game. The Premier League will also increase its funding by providing an additional £33million to grassroots football.