The third round of the 2025–26 FA Cup kicks off on Friday night, marking the stage at which Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition and giant-killing acts come into play.

The round gets underway on Friday evening with Nottingham Forest visiting Wrexham.

The Premier League side go into the tie as favourites, but Wrexham’s strong recent cup runs and the atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground ensure a challenging opening fixture.

Saturday’s programme is packed with traditional third-round contrasts. Leicester City travel to Cheltenham Town, while Wolverhampton Wanderers face a trip to Shrewsbury Town, with the Premier League side looking for some respite in the cup.

Everton host Sunderland, while Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa meet in an all-Premier League clash that stands out as one of the headline fixtures of the round. Chelsea are also on the road, travelling across London to Charlton Athletic later in the evening.

Sunday features another notable away test for a title contender as Arsenal make the trip to Portsmouth. The day also includes a high-profile Premier League meeting at Old Trafford, where Manchester United host Brighton & Hove Albion, ensuring one top-flight side will exit the competition at this stage.

The third round concludes on Monday night with Liverpool welcoming Barnsley to Anfield, closing the programme under the lights.

All ties will be settled on the day, with extra time and penalties used if scores are level after 90 minutes, as replays are no longer part of the competition at this stage.

The winners will progress to the fourth round, with the draw to follow shortly after the completion of the final match.

FA CUP THIRD ROUND FIXTURES (SOUTH AFRICAN TIME)

Friday, 9 January
21:30 – Preston North End vs Wigan Athletic
21:30 – MK Dons vs Oxford United
21:30 – Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town
21:30 – Wrexham AFC vs Nottingham Forest

Saturday, 10 January
14:15 – Macclesfield FC vs Crystal Palace
14:15 – Everton vs Sunderland
14:15 – Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Shrewsbury Town
14:15 – Cheltenham Town vs Leicester City
17:00 – Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton
17:00 – Stoke City vs Coventry City
17:00 – Sheffield Wednesday vs Brentford
17:00 – Newcastle United vs Bournemouth
17:00 – Fulham vs Middlesbrough
17:00 – Ipswich Town vs Blackpool
17:00 – Manchester City vs Exeter City
17:00 – Burnley vs Millwall
17:00 – Boreham Wood vs Burton Albion
17:00 – Salford City vs Swindon Town
19:45 – Cambridge United vs Birmingham City
19:45 – Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
19:45 – Grimsby Town vs Weston-super-Mare
19:45 – Bristol City vs Watford
22:00 – Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea

Sunday, 11 January
14:00 – Derby County vs Leeds United
16:00 – Portsmouth vs Arsenal
16:30 – West Ham United vs Queens Park Rangers
16:30 – Norwich City vs Walsall
16:30 – Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion
16:30 – Hull City vs Blackburn Rovers
16:30 – Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town
18:30 – Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Monday, 12 January
21:45 – Liverpool vs Barnsley