FA Competition Entries 2026/27 Season
Mon 23rd March 2026 | FA Competition News | By Martin Fallon
Clubs are reminded that the closing date for FA Competition Entries for next season is on 1st April. This is for entries into the FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup.
If your Club has not applied and still wishes to do so, please follow the instructions below to submit your application and payment online.
THE FA CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard
- Clubs in The Premier League, English Football League and in Steps 1–5 of The FA National League System.
- Clubs at Steps 1–5 must also be participating in either The FA Trophy or The FA Vase Competitions, in season 2026-27.
- Clubs currently at Step 6 of The FA National League System should NOT apply to enter The FA Cup.
Clubs promoted from Step 6 to Step 5 for season 2026-27 will be invited to participate in the Competition and automatically accepted once National League System allocations for season 2026-27 have been confirmed.
Clubs relegated from Step 5 to Step 6 for season 2026-27 will NOT be accepted to participate in the Competition.
In the event there are places available in the Competition for Step 6 Clubs, these will be determined by The FA based on a Clubs points per game at Step 6 of The FA National League System in the previous season.
The FA will notify any successful Step 6 Club(s) and invite them to participate in the Competition once National League System allocations for season 2026-27 have been confirmed.
THE FA VASE
Entry is restricted to Clubs participating in Steps 5 & 6 of The FA National League System subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard.
A Club participating below Step 6 of The FA National League System in season 2025-26 shall only be permitted to apply for entry if it has applied for promotion to Step 6 for season 2026- 27. However, acceptance into the Competition will be subject to such Club receiving promotion to Step 6 for season 2026-27.
A Club moving between Step 4 and 5 of The FA National League System will be moved accordingly by The FA between The FA Trophy and The FA Vase Competitions.
FA YOUTH CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard:
- Clubs in The Premier League, English Football League and in Steps 1–5 of The FA National League System.
- Clubs at Steps 1–5 must also be participating in either The FA Trophy or The FA Vase Competitions, in season 2026-27.
- Clubs participating in a recognized Youth League or suitable Competition in season 2026-27 that is sanctioned by The Association or an affiliated Association.
Youth Teams representing a Club must be properly integrated, in the opinion of The Association, with the Club
HOW TO APPLY
The application is ONLY available for online completion and online payment by credit or debit card, and an individual can make the payment with a personal card on the Clubs behalf. If entering more than one Competition, please only complete ONE application and make one 'altogether' payment from the payment options provided.
The FA Cup, The FA Trophy, The FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup Competitions Season 2026-27 | The FA
On successful completion of the online application and online payment, you will receive an on screen confirmation and an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the participant from The FA (to the email provided on the application). However, this does NOT constitute acceptance into the specified Competition(s).
THE CLOSING DATE IS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2026
A list of entries accepted will be published in July 2026.
FA Competition Entries 2026/27 Season
Mon 23rd March 2026 | FA Competition News
By Martin Fallon
Clubs are reminded that the closing date for FA Competition Entries for next season is on 1st April. This is for entries into the FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup.
If your Club has not applied and still wishes to do so, please follow the instructions below to submit your application and payment online.
THE FA CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard
- Clubs in The Premier League, English Football League and in Steps 1–5 of The FA National League System.
- Clubs at Steps 1–5 must also be participating in either The FA Trophy or The FA Vase Competitions, in season 2026-27.
- Clubs currently at Step 6 of The FA National League System should NOT apply to enter The FA Cup.
Clubs promoted from Step 6 to Step 5 for season 2026-27 will be invited to participate in the Competition and automatically accepted once National League System allocations for season 2026-27 have been confirmed.
Clubs relegated from Step 5 to Step 6 for season 2026-27 will NOT be accepted to participate in the Competition.
In the event there are places available in the Competition for Step 6 Clubs, these will be determined by The FA based on a Clubs points per game at Step 6 of The FA National League System in the previous season.
The FA will notify any successful Step 6 Club(s) and invite them to participate in the Competition once National League System allocations for season 2026-27 have been confirmed.
THE FA VASE
Entry is restricted to Clubs participating in Steps 5 & 6 of The FA National League System subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard.
A Club participating below Step 6 of The FA National League System in season 2025-26 shall only be permitted to apply for entry if it has applied for promotion to Step 6 for season 2026- 27. However, acceptance into the Competition will be subject to such Club receiving promotion to Step 6 for season 2026-27.
A Club moving between Step 4 and 5 of The FA National League System will be moved accordingly by The FA between The FA Trophy and The FA Vase Competitions.
FA YOUTH CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard:
- Clubs in The Premier League, English Football League and in Steps 1–5 of The FA National League System.
- Clubs at Steps 1–5 must also be participating in either The FA Trophy or The FA Vase Competitions, in season 2026-27.
- Clubs participating in a recognized Youth League or suitable Competition in season 2026-27 that is sanctioned by The Association or an affiliated Association.
Youth Teams representing a Club must be properly integrated, in the opinion of The Association, with the Club
HOW TO APPLY
The application is ONLY available for online completion and online payment by credit or debit card, and an individual can make the payment with a personal card on the Clubs behalf. If entering more than one Competition, please only complete ONE application and make one 'altogether' payment from the payment options provided.
The FA Cup, The FA Trophy, The FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup Competitions Season 2026-27 | The FA
On successful completion of the online application and online payment, you will receive an on screen confirmation and an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the participant from The FA (to the email provided on the application). However, this does NOT constitute acceptance into the specified Competition(s).
THE CLOSING DATE IS WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2026
A list of entries accepted will be published in July 2026.
