FA Cup Draw Today: Time, TV Channel & Live Stream
If you have ever refreshed a browser waiting for the FA Cup draw to appear, the wait itself is part of the ritual. The Football Association (The FA) publishes confirmed times for each round, and broadcasters such as BBC Sport and TNT Sports make sure you can watch live — for the 2025‑26 quarter‑final draw, the confirmed slot was Monday 9 March 2026 at 7:05 pm UK time (BBC Sport).
Next FA Cup draw date: 9 March 2026 (quarter‑final) ·
Total rounds in 2026‑27: 14 (Extra Preliminary to Final) ·
Draw broadcast partner: BBC Sport / TNT Sports ·
Estimated draw time (UK): 7:05 pm BST ·
Teams in Round 4: 32
Quick snapshot
- Exact draw times for future rounds are only confirmed a few days prior by The FA
- Whether a draw will stream on YouTube or remain exclusive to BBC/TNT depends on live rights agreements
- Quarter‑final draw held before the West Ham United v Brentford fifth‑round tie (BBC Sport)
- Draw was at London Stadium (YouTube broadcast)
- Semi‑final draw approximately 15 minutes after the last quarter‑final finishes (YouTube broadcast schedule)
- Final at Wembley in May 2027 (no draw) (YouTube broadcast schedule)
Here is a quick reference of key FA Cup draw facts.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing body | The Football Association (The FA) |
| Current season | 2026‑27 |
| Draws per season | 8 (extra preliminary round not drawn live) |
| Total teams in main draw | 124 (round 1 onward) |
| Live draws on BBC | Yes, via BBC Sport and iPlayer |
| Official draw source | TheFA.com/competitions/thefacup |
What time is the 4th round FA Cup draw?
The fourth round draw typically takes place after the third round fixtures are completed. The FA announces the precise time a few days beforehand on The FA website and via BBC Sport. For recent seasons, the draw has been scheduled in the evening, often between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm UK time. The fourth round draw is broadcast live on BBC Sport and TNT Sports, with a free stream on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Official FA-scheduled draw time for round 4
- The round 4 draw date is set after round 3 concludes, usually in early January.
- Confirmed time: The FA publishes the exact start time (typically 7:05 pm) via its news page (The FA – schedule announcement).
How to find the confirmed time on The FA website
- Visit TheFA.com/competitions/thefacup and look for the “Draw dates and results” section.
- BBC Sport also publishes a dedicated draw article with the confirmed time and broadcast links.
For UK viewers, the fourth round draw time is reliably announced 48‑72 hours before the event, so checking The FA’s official page once round 3 finishes is all you need.
The implication: you won’t miss the draw if you check the official source a couple days before.
When’s the FA Cup fourth round draw and where can I watch it?
The calendar date for the fourth round draw follows the conclusion of the third round proper. In the 2025‑26 season, the third round took place in early January, placing the round 4 draw in mid‑January. The FA publishes the exact date on its official news feed.
Confirmed calendar date for round 4 draw
- Date: Announced by The FA after third round fixtures are confirmed.
- For reference, the 2025‑26 fifth‑round schedule was published on 19 February 2026, so the round 4 draw occurred several weeks earlier (The FA – fifth‑round schedule).
Broadcast channels (BBC Sport, YouTube, The FA website)
- BBC Sport – live on BBC One / iPlayer for selected draws.
- TNT Sports – live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ (ESPN – broadcast details).
- TNT Sports YouTube – free live stream globally (Chelsea FC – supporter guide).
You can watch every draw from round 1 proper onward without a TV subscription if you use the free YouTube stream — a change that has made the draw more accessible.
The pattern: free access is now standard for all rounds, lowering the barrier for casual fans.
What time is FA Cup semi final draw?
The semi‑final draw is held immediately after the last quarter‑final match finishes. Because it is tied to a live broadcast, the exact time depends on when the preceding game ends. For the 2025‑26 season, the semi‑final draw was scheduled to take place approximately 15 minutes after full‑time of the West Ham United match (YouTube broadcast schedule).
Semi-final draw timing after quarter-finals
- The draw is not given a fixed clock time; it is announced as “approximately 15 minutes after the final whistle” of the last quarter‑final.
- BBC Sport and TNT Sports both carry it live, with the time confirmed on the day.
Where to watch live (BBC, YouTube)
- Live on BBC One / iPlayer and TNT Sports 1.
- Free stream on the TNT Sports YouTube channel (NBC Sports – live updates).
The catch: because it’s tied to match finish, you need to stay tuned to the broadcast rather than relying on a fixed clock time.
How can I watch the FA Cup draw and what are the ball numbers?
Every FA Cup draw from the first round proper onward is broadcast live. You have several options, and the ball numbers are published by The FA ahead of each draw.
TV and online streaming options for each draw
- UK: TNT Sports 1 or BBC One (depending on the round).
- Online: discovery+ app, BBC iPlayer, and TNT Sports YouTube channel.
- International: The FA Cup YouTube channel streams most draws for free (Goal – global streaming info).
Ball number allocation by team progression
- Ball numbers are assigned based on the order in which ties are drawn or by seeding.
- ESPN reported that ball numbers were published for the quarter‑final draw (ESPN – ball numbers).
- You can find the official ball‑number list on The FA website a few hours before each draw.
What this means: having the ball numbers early lets you follow the draw in real time with full context.
What is the quarter final draw for the FA Cup?
The quarter‑final draw for the 2025‑26 season was confirmed for Monday 9 March 2026 at 7:05 pm UK time. It was broadcast live ahead of the West Ham United v Brentford fifth‑round match (BBC Sport – quarter‑final draw).
Draw date and time for quarter-finals
- Date: 9 March 2026.
- Time: 7:05 pm UK time.
- Location: Reportedly held at London Stadium (YouTube – draw broadcast).
Who is in the draw (qualified teams)
- The eight teams that advanced from the fifth round were in the draw.
- The FA announced the full list of quarter‑finalists after the fifth‑round matches concluded.
- Chelsea FC republished the draw information for its supporters (Chelsea FC – draw guide).
The pattern: once the draw time is announced, you can plan your evening around it without ambiguity.
FA Cup Draw Timeline: Key Dates
- Extra Preliminary Round – draw released by FA (no live broadcast) (The FA)
- Preliminary Round – draw released by FA (The FA)
- First Round Proper – first televised draw (typically October) (The FA)
- Second Round – draw after first round concludes (The FA)
- Third Round – Premier League and Championship teams enter; major live draw on BBC (The FA)
- Fourth Round – draw after third round, live on BBC/TNT (The FA)
- Fifth Round – draw after fourth round, live on TNT (The FA)
- Quarter‑Final – 9 March 2026, 7:05 pm, live on TNT Sports (The FA)
- Semi‑Final – draw after quarter‑finals, live on BBC/TNT (The FA)
The timeline shows that live broadcasts begin at round 1 proper and continue through every knockout stage.
What We Know and What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- The FA announces draw dates for each round on TheFA.com (The FA).
- BBC Sport broadcasts most live draws from round 1 proper onward (BBC Sport).
- Draw ball numbers are determined by round progression and published beforehand (ESPN).
What’s unclear
- Exact draw time for a specific round is only confirmed a few days prior.
- Whether a draw will be broadcast on YouTube vs exclusive to BBC depends on rights agreements.
- Whether the exact draw time for future rounds will remain at 7:05 pm or vary.
- Whether the free YouTube stream will continue for all remaining rounds of the 2026‑27 season.
The balance: much is known, but you still need to monitor official channels for last‑minute updates.
What the Authorities Say
The FA said the eight fifth‑round ties were to be played from Friday 6 March to Monday 9 March 2026.
– The FA – official schedule announcement
BBC Sport said the quarter‑final draw took place before the West Ham United v Brentford fifth‑round match.
– BBC Sport – draw article
Goal reported that the quarter‑final draw was available to stream live for free on the official TNT Sports YouTube channel.
For UK viewers who do not have a TNT Sports subscription, the free YouTube stream is a practical workaround. The pattern across rounds is clear: draw times are reliable once announced, and broadcasters have standardised coverage. The trade‑off is that you need to check The FA’s site a few days before each round to get the exact time. For the casual fan, that small step saves the frustration of searching mid‑match.
For viewers who missed the live event, the FA Cup draw results provide a full breakdown of the quarter-final matchups.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the FA Cup draw held?
The draw is held at a venue tied to the preceding round’s broadcast. For the quarter‑final draw, it was reportedly at London Stadium (YouTube broadcast).
Can I get FA Cup draw results as they happen?
Yes. The FA website, BBC Sport, and TNT Sports update results live. You can also follow the official @EmiratesFACup social media accounts.
What happens if the FA Cup draw is delayed?
Delays are rare. If a preceding match runs into extra time, the draw is pushed back accordingly and broadcasters adjust the schedule.
Does the FA Cup draw ever change time?
Only if a prior match is postponed or runs long. The FA always communicates changes via its news page and broadcast partners.
What are the ball numbers based on?
Ball numbers are assigned in the order teams are drawn from the previous round or by a seeded list published by The FA.
How many teams are in the main draw?
124 teams enter from the first round proper onward (The FA – competition format).
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