FA COMPETITION PLANNING - 2025/26
June 1, 2025
The FA have released the following dates to support club planning for its competitions in 2025/26:
On Friday 13 June 2025, we shall be releasing the below information;
- Round dates for The Emirates FA Cup, The Isuzu FA Trophy, The Isuzu FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup.
On Friday 27 June 2025, we shall be releasing the below information for each Competition;
- List of Clubs accepted into each Competition (Clubs not accepted into a Competition shall be notified separately regarding that Competition on the same date)
- List of Clubs to receive exemption
- Prize Fund
On Friday 4 July 2025, we shall be releasing the below information;
- The Emirates FA Cup – Extra Preliminary Round & Preliminary Round draws
- The Isuzu FA Trophy – Preliminary Round & First Round Qualifying draws
- The Isuzu FA Vase – First Round Qualifying & Second Round Qualifying draws
- The FA Youth Cup – Extra Preliminary Round & Preliminary Round draws
During the week commencing Monday 14 July 2025, Clubs shall receive the below;
- Competition Rules (The Emirates FA Cup, The Isuzu FA Trophy, The Isuzu FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup) (by email)
- Carbonated team sheets (by post)
- FA wall planner (by post)
*Please note, all dates are subject to change, any changes shall be communicated if required.
Hamble Club secured their spot in the Velocity Wessex League Cup final with a thumping 7-0 victory over Wincanton Town on Tuesday night. The 2023/24 winners made it a third consecutive final with seven different scorers, having also recently secured their spot in the Premier Division play-offs. The Monks will face either Cowes Sports or AFC Stoneham - who play on April 21 - at Downton FC on May 4 (3pm) to determine the silverware.
AFC Stoneham are champions of the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division, following their midweek victory at Bemerton Heath Harlequins. WESSEX LEAGUE - TABLES A Duarte Martins (pictured) double, added to by Tyrrell Sampson secured a 3-1 success in Wiltshire for James Phillips' side, to banish their play-off heartache of the previous two seasons.
AFC Stoneham are off to Wembley for the first time in their history after completing a 6-1 aggregate victory over Hallam in their FA Vase semi-final. Captain, Alex Welch scored twice in the first half and came agonisingly close to completing a hat-trick in added time. Tyrell Sampson did find a third midway through the second period, as the Purps took the second leg 3-1 in front of a club record gate of 851 at Stoneham Lane.
The Isuzu FA Vase semi-final draw has seen Velocity Wessex League leaders, AFC Stoneham, paired with Bristol-based Hallen.
The Velocity Wessex League 2026 AGM will be held at AFC Totton, Snows Stadium, Salisbury Road, Totton, Southampton, SO40 2RW on Saturday, 20th June 2026 commencing at 11.00am. Clubs have one vote each and should be represented by the Chairman, Secretary and Team Manager or their deputies, plus an optional additional Club Representative is allowed to attend if required. Please be reminded of FA Rule 2.26 which states "Any Club failing to be represented throughout an Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff." The Agenda and any supporting documents will be circulated to member Clubs nearer the time.
AFC Stoneham held their nerve to edge-out Haywards Heath Town on penalties and reach the FA Vase quarter finals for the first time. Duarte Martins put the Purps ahead early in the second half, before the hosts levelled through Henry Watson with six minutes remaining in front of 674 at Hanbury Park Stadium. However, Martins scored the decisive spot kick to continue Stoneham's run in the competition, and join fellow Wessex side, Downton in the last eight. Stoneham's victory sets-up a tie against United Counties League Premier Division South side, Coventry United. Downton meanwhile are also just two wins away from Wembley, reaching the quarter finals last week in beating Lymore Gardens 3-0 - they travel to SCEFL Premier Division side, Punjab United - ties to be played on February 28. Photo: Tommy McMillan
