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The FA and the Premier League have reached an agreement to strengthen the Emirates FA Cup format.
Starting next season, the six year deal will see all rounds of the Emirates FA Cup now played on weekends, including the fifth round which has been regularly played during the midweek of late February/early March for the last five seasons.
The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals will all be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football.
Furthermore, from the first round proper, the competition will be played without replays. The final will also now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, with no other top-flight fixtures taking place on the same day.
Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the final, which the pair have said will “allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event”.
FA CEO, Mark Bullingham, stated: “The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.
“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.
Meanwhile, the partners have also enhanced their support for grassroot football, with the English top division providing up to an additional £33m for the grassroots level, on top of the £100m it currently gives to good causes each season.
“We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women’s and girls’ game,” added Bullingham. “All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support.”
The Premier League currently donates £1.6bn every three years – 16% of its total revenues – to all levels of men’s and women’s football, and this new money will provide significant support to a range of areas as the game continues to grow.
Premier League CEO, Richard Masters, added: “The Premier League is proud of the investment it provides to all levels of the game and this new agreement with the FA will see us enhance our support into grassroots football. This will improve facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country, through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.
“Throughout our discussions, both parties have been committed to enhancing the scheduling of the Emirates FA Cup, a hugely important domestic competition with a storied history.
“The FA and the Premier League have worked in partnership to deliver more exclusive weekends without compromising the excitement of knockout football and this has been achieved at the same time as allowing us to ease fixture congestion generally.”
