FA CUP DETAILS - 22/23

PAR002_123 • July 1, 2022

A total of 732 clubs will enter the Emirates FA Cup for the 2022-23 season, which will kick-off on Saturday 6 August with the Extra Preliminary Round.


The FA have now confirmed the final list of accepted clubs for the campaign as well as the round dates, list of round exemptions and the 2022-23 prize fund.


All 20 Wessex Premier Division clubs have been entered into this season’s competition at the Extra Preliminary Round stage. They will be joined by Division One sides, Andover New Street, Folland Sports and Newport IoW - three of just eleven Step 6 clubs nationally who made the cut on a PPG model.


Key dates for the diary include the Cup Final at Wembley Stadium connected by EE being held on Saturday 3 June 2023, while the third round proper will take place across the weekend of Saturday 7 January 2023. The competition gets underway with the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 6th August.


The total prize fund for next season will total over £19m in payments to clubs and made to the winners and losers at all stages of the qualifying rounds, but payments will only be made to the winners from the first round proper through to the quarter-final. The winners and losers will each receive a payment in the semi-final and Final.


Replays will be mandatory in all rounds of the qualifying competition and the competition proper from the first round proper up to and including the fourth round proper.


Early round draw details are expected on Friday 8th July.


DETAILS


Final list of accepted clubs

FA Cup Round Dates

List of round exemptions

The 2022-23 prize fund


FA CUP DATES


Extra Preliminary Round – Saturday 6 August 2022
Preliminary Round – Saturday 20 August 2022
First Round Qualifying -Saturday 3 September 2022
Second Round Qualifying – Saturday 17 September 2022
Third Round Qualifying – Saturday 1 October 2022
Fourth Round Qualifying – Saturday 15 October 2022
First Round Proper – Saturday 5 November 2022
Second Round Proper – Saturday 26 November 2022
Third Round Proper – Saturday 7 January 2023
Fourth Round Proper – Saturday 28 January 2023
Fifth Round Proper – Wednesday 1 March 2023
Quarter Final – Saturday 18 March 2023
Semi Final – Saturday 22 April 2023
Final – Saturday 3 June 2023


FA CUP PRIZE FUND PAYMENTS


Extra Preliminary Round winners (208) = £1,125
Extra Preliminary Round losers (208) = £375
Preliminary Round winners (136) = £1,444
Preliminary Round losers (136) = £481
First Round Qualifying winners (112) = £2,250
First Round Qualifying losers (112) = £750
Second Round Qualifying winners (80) = £3,375
Second Round Qualifying losers (80) = £1,125
Third Round Qualifying winners (40) = £5,625
Third Round Qualifying losers (40) = £1,875
Fourth Round Qualifying winners (32) = £9,375
Fourth Round Qualifying losers (32) = £3,125
First Round Proper winners (40) = £36,000
Second Round Proper winners (20) = £60,000
Third Round Proper winners (32) = £100,000
Fourth Round Proper winners (16) = £120,000
Fifth Round Proper winners (8) = £225,000
Quarter Final winners (4) = £450,000
Semi Final losers (2) = £500,000
Semi Final winners (2) = £1,000,000
Final runners-up (1) = £1,000,000
Final winners (1) = £2,000,000

FA VASE SEMI-FINAL DRAW

March 2, 2026
The Isuzu FA Vase semi-final draw has seen Velocity Wessex League leaders, AFC Stoneham, paired with Bristol-based Hallen. 

AGM NOTICE

February 28, 2026
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.

PURPS INTO VASE QUARTERS

February 15, 2026
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

NON-LEAGUE DAY 2026

February 8, 2026
Grassroots football clubs across the country are preparing for one of the most anticipated days in the non-league calendar as Non-League Day 2026 on Saturday, March 28 . The annual event, founded in 2010 by James Doe to celebrate and promote community-run football, is designed to fall on a weekend during the football international break — giving fans of Premier League and Football League clubs without fixtures the chance to explore non-league action. Non-League Day encourages supporters to head to local grounds up and down the country to watch live matches, meet volunteers who run their local clubs and experience the unique atmosphere of grassroots football. Find Wessex League Fixtures On Non-League Day With hundreds of fixtures traditionally taking place at Step 1–6 levels of the football pyramid, clubs often use the day to offer special incentives such as reduced admission prices and community activities to draw in new fans. For many clubs, Non-League Day is more than just a matchday — it’s a chance to spotlight the heart and soul of English football, where volunteer efforts and local pride keep the game thriving far from television lights. Organisers and club officials alike are expected to unveil specific fixtures, offers and events in the weeks leading up to the event. As anticipation builds toward March 28, the non-league community is gearing up for a celebration of football in its purest form — one that brings supporters together, strengthens club-town bonds and champions the grassroots game at every level.

DOWNTON'S VASE DELIGHT!

February 8, 2026
Downton swept aside Eastern Counties League side, Lymore Gardens 3-0 to reach the last eight of the Isuzu FA Vase for the first time in the club's history. Sam Davidson gave the Robins the lead just before the break (photo below), before Brett Pitman's header made it two, four minutes into the second half.

TRADE SHOW & GENERAL MEETING

February 5, 2026
The Velocity Wessex League are pleased to announce that the annual Football related Trade Show and General Meeting will be held at Eastleigh FC, Silverlake Stadium, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 9HT on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6-9pm. The event will be similar to last year's format with hopefully an increase in the number of football related exhibitors for Club representatives to talk to and discuss their requirements. A General Meeting will commence at 7.30pm, all Clubs must attend with each Club expected to send up to three delegates, two of whom should be the Chairman and Secretary, the Agenda will be distributed nearer the time. A complimentary buffet will be provided and each Club will be given a free Velocity Wessex League match ball on departure.
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