FA Cup have announced a raft of format changes from 2024-25 season onwards, including scrapping replays.
Replays have been part of the FA Cup’s heritage for many decades since the competition began in 1871-72 season, despite being dropped from Fifth Round onwards in recent decades.
Next season though will see replays scrapped from the First Round stage onwards due to expanded UEFA competitions, but remain in place for the Qualifying Rounds.
Every round will also be played on weekends with Rounds Four, Five and Quarter-Finals set to have a standalone weekend without competition from Premier League fixtures, whilst the Final will be played on the penultimate weekend of the league season.
Premier League officials have confirmed that no fixtures will be scheduled for FA Cup Final day nor the previous night on a Friday evening, in order to maximise build-up focus on the showpiece match.
Fourth Round matches will also be spread out across Friday – Wednesday rather than preceding a round of midweek league fixtures, as has been the case in recent seasons.
England FA CEO, Mark Bullingham commented: “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.”
Premier League meanwhile will provide £133m of funding to the football pyramid – an increase of £33m on current funding – with view to ‘enhancing support’ for the game and especially facilities at lower league levels in men and women’s game.
Chief Executive of Premier League, Richard Masters issued a statement expressing the competition’s pride at investing in lower league clubs across England through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund which currently supports clubs in improving facilities.
“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.”
Premier League will also remove the mid-season break and instead return to a mid-August start for the new season, following discussions with medical and technical teams to ensure a three-week window of complete rest in summer than a winter break.
“under impossible strain”
Football Supporters Association subsequently released a public statement slamming the FA and Premier League for their actions disrespcting the FA Cup’s history, whilst acknowledging the scheduling difficulties caused by FIFA and UEFA’s desire for expanded international competitions.
“It’s clear today’s announcement about the FA cup has not gone down well with a lot of fans up and down the country. Supporters are concerned that the changes to the FA Cup will further diminish what makes the competition enduringly popular – namely its history, heritage and tradition.
“While we recognise the footballing calendar is coming under impossible strain – due to the increasing bloat of FIFA and UEFA competitions – recent surveys of both our members and National Council revealed serious concerns about loss of replays and the impact that could have on the magic of the competition.
“The FA Cup is the oldest domestic cup competition in the world, an asset of national importance, and we have shared those concerns with the FA as its primary custodians.”
League Two’s Tranmere meanwhile issued their own statement blasting the “disgraceful” decision to tweak the FA Cup’s format.
‘Tranmere Rovers condemn the disgraceful decision taken by The FA and the Premier League to change the format of the FA Cup, including the scrapping of replays.
‘There was no consultation with Football League clubs, National League clubs or grassroots clubs to whom the competition represents not only their best opportunity to create life-long memories for supporters but also a hugely important source of income.
‘We also understand that FA Council members were not consulted about the changes.
‘The decision, and the way it was taken, demonstrate a total lack of respect for the football pyramid and its fans. Football belongs to all of us and decisions should not be taken in back room deals in which only the very wealthiest clubs are allowed to participate.
‘It is yet another eloquent example of the 19th-century governance that means that football simply cannot regulate itself and needs the Independent Football Regulator to have real teeth.
‘We condemn the changes wholeheartedly and urge The FA to suspend them immediately until all stakeholders in the game are properly consulted.’
Accrington Stanley added that local FA Council representatives weren’t informed until 15 minutes until the media announcement, which they believe marked a “total lack of respect for the football pyramid and its fans’ with ‘deals done in darkened alleyways between The FA and the Premier League.’
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