The season will kick-off with the preliminary round on Sunday 28 August 2025 for all clubs in Tier 7 (County Leagues) only, with those clubs only 11 wins away from the Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 31 May 2026!

The Adobe Women's FA Cup Season 2025-26 Round Dates
Preliminary round: Sunday 24 August 2025

First round qualifying: Sunday 7 September 2025

Second round qualifying: Sunday 21 September 2025

Third round qualifying: Sunday 5 October 2025

First round proper: Sunday 26 October 2025

Second round proper: Sunday 23 November 2025

Third round proper: Sunday 14 December 2025

Fourth round proper: Sunday 18 January 2026

Fifth round proper: Sunday 22 February 2026

Quarter-final: Sunday 5 April 2026

Semi-final: Sunday 10 May 2026

The Final: Sunday 31 May 2026

Only Tier 7 clubs - that is those playing in County Leagues - will be participating in the Preliminary Round on Sunday 28th August with teams in higher leagues being given exemptions.

Clubs from Tier 6, the Regional Leagues Division 1, will enter at the 1st Qualifying Round, and will be joined by Regional League Premier Division clubs (Tier 5) at the 2nd Qualifying Round.

Women’s National League Division 1 clubs, such as Burton Albion and Chesterfield, will come in at 3rd Round Qualifying, with Premier Division Clubs, including Derby County, going into the draw for the 1st Round proper.

Women’s Championship clubs are exempt until the 3rd Round proper whilst Women’s Super League clubs - including last season’s Champions Chelsea and Champions league winners Arsenal, coming at the 4th Round proper.

The draws for the Preliminary Round and First Round Qualifying will be released on Monday 4 August 2025.