The road to Wembley continues as the FA Cup Third Round Qualifying draw has been confirmed, with 40 ties set to take place on Saturday 3 October 2026.

There are some intriguing ties across the non-league pyramid, with clubs battling for a place in the next stage of the competition and the chance to move one step closer to the FA Cup proper.

🏆 Full Third Round Qualifying Draw

1. Macclesfield v Scarborough Athletic
2. Marine v Warrington Town
3. Trafford v Atherton Collieries
4. Guiseley v Bradford (Park Avenue)
5. Leamington or Gainsborough Trinity v Anstey Nomads
6. Morecambe v Darlington
7. Buxton v South Shields
8. Bury v Bromsgrove Sporting
9. Barton Town v Chorley
10. AFC Telford United or Worksop Town v FC United of Manchester
11. Stafford Rangers v Halesowen Town
12. Spennymoor Town v Chester
13. Mulbarton Wanderers v Gloucester City
14. Bury Town v Spalding United
15. Harborough Town v St Albans City
16. Bedford Town v Hemel Hempstead Town or Wingate & Finchley
17. Kettering Town v Worcester City
18. Cambridge City v Alvechurch
19. Brackley Town v Chelmsford City
20. Chesham United v Real Bedford
21. Oxford City v Enfield Town
22. Brentwood Town v Waltham Abbey or Dagenham & Redbridge
23. Leiston v Coventry United
24. Redditch United v Berkhamsted
25. AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Needham Market or Braintree Town
26. Southall or Dorking Wanderers v Chatham Town
27. Merthyr Town or Truro City v Cirencester Town or Farnham Town
28. Tonbridge Angels v Torquay United
29. Weymouth v SE Dons
30. Sheppey United v Chertsey Town
31. Cray Wanderers or Maidstone United v Yate Town or Chippenham Town
32. Hampton & Richmond Borough or Crowborough Athletic v Weston-super-Mare or Wimborne Town
33. Plymouth Parkway v Horsham
34. Uxbridge or Farnborough v Hungerford Town
35. Ebbsfleet United v Sholing
36. Salisbury v Dulwich Hamlet
37. Thame United or Exmouth Town v Eastbourne Borough
38. Hanwell Town v Dover Athletic
39. Tadley Calleva v Dartford
40. Leatherhead v Hanworth Villa

💰 FA Cup prize money

There is plenty at stake beyond simply progressing in the competition.

The winners of each Third Round Qualifying tie will receive £5,625, while the losing clubs will receive £1,875.

For clubs operating at the non-league level, the additional revenue from a successful FA Cup run can make a significant difference, while progression also brings the possibility of even bigger ties and prize money in the rounds ahead.

📅 When are the matches?

The default date for the Third Round Qualifying ties is:

Saturday 3 October 2026
Kick-off: 3:00pm

If a match finishes level after 90 minutes, a replay is mandatory. Replays must be played on or before Thursday 8 October, with a scheduled kick-off time of 7:45pm.

Postponed first-round ties must also be rearranged and played by Thursday 8 October, while a postponed or delayed replay must be completed by Thursday 15 October 2026.

👀 Plenty of ties to watch

There are some particularly interesting contests scattered throughout the draw, including Macclesfield v Scarborough Athletic, Buxton v South Shields, Spennymoor Town v Chester, Brackley Town v Chelmsford City and Tonbridge Angels v Torquay United.

Further down the pyramid, Weymouth v SE Dons and Leatherhead v Hanworth Villa are among the ties that will attract plenty of attention, while clubs such as FC United of Manchester, Gloucester City, Dulwich Hamlet and Dover Athletic will all be looking to continue their FA Cup journeys.

With 40 ties, £5,625 on offer for every winner and the next stage of the competition within touching distance, the Third Round Qualifying promises another weekend of classic FA Cup action.