Do FA Cup third round games go to extra-time and penalties or a replay?
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Do FA Cup third round games go to extra-time and penalties or a replay?
The article explains how tied matches are settled in the FA Cup third round and beyond, outlining when replays, extra-time and penalties are used. It clarifies the competition’s current format so fans know what to expect if games finish level after 90 minutes.
In the early rounds of the FA Cup, drawn ties traditionally go to a replay, giving lower-league clubs another chance at home or away and offering valuable extra gate receipts. However, as the tournament progresses and the calendar becomes more congested, the format changes to avoid overloading teams with additional fixtures.
From the third round proper, when Premier League and Championship clubs enter, replays are generally still part of the competition structure, but only up to a certain stage. If a third-round tie ends level after normal time, it is usually replayed at the away side’s ground at a later date, rather than decided immediately on the day.
The article notes, however, that in more recent seasons the FA has occasionally scrapped replays in some or all rounds due to fixture congestion, especially around winter breaks or after pandemic-disrupted schedules. When replays are removed by rule for a given season, ties that finish level after 90 minutes in those affected rounds go straight to extra-time and, if needed, a penalty shootout to produce a winner on the day.
It also stresses that from the fifth round (and always in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final), there are no replays. Any match ending in a draw at that stage is settled by 30 minutes of extra-time and then penalties if required. This ensures the competition progresses on schedule and that every tie produces a decisive result without the need for a second game.
Overall, the piece guides supporters through the current rules, highlighting that whether a third-round tie goes to a replay or straight to extra-time and penalties depends on the specific season’s regulations and any temporary changes made by the FA to ease fixture congestion.