FA Cup Replays & Replay Rules

Everything about FA Cup replays, extra time, and penalty shootouts

What Are FA Cup Replays?

In FA Cup games, if a match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, a replay is traditionally played at the away team's ground. This unique feature of the FA Cup allows both teams a second chance to reach the next round.

However, FA Cup replay rules have evolved significantly in recent years. From the 2024-25 season onwards, replays were eliminated from the Fifth Round onwards, with matches going straight to extra time and penalties.

Important Update: From the 2024-25 season, FA Cup replays were scrapped from the Fifth Round onwards to ease fixture congestion. Only early rounds (First to Fourth) still feature replays.

Current FA Cup Replay Rules (2025-26 Season)

Rounds WITH Replays

✓ Extra Preliminary Round
✓ Preliminary Rounds
✓ First Round Proper
✓ Second Round
✓ Third Round
✓ Fourth Round

If drawn after 90 minutes, a replay is played at the away team's ground.

Rounds WITHOUT Replays

✗ Fifth Round
✗ Quarter-Finals
✗ Semi-Finals
✗ Final (at Wembley)

If drawn, teams play 30 minutes of extra time, then penalties if needed.

What Happens in FA Cup Replays?

Venue Change

The replay is played at the away team's ground from the original fixture.

Full 90 Minutes

The replay is a complete match, not just 30 minutes of extra time.

Draw After 90 Minutes?

If still drawn, 30 minutes of extra time is played, followed by penalties if needed.

No Second Replay

If still level after extra time and penalties, there's no second replay - penalties decide the winner.

FA Cup Extra Time & Penalty Rules

Extra Time

• 30 minutes total (15 minutes each half)
• 2-minute break between halves
• Teams change ends at half-time
• If one team scores in extra time, they don't win immediately - the full 30 minutes is played

Penalty Shootout

• Best of 5 penalties each initially
• Sudden death if level after 5 each
• ABBA format used for first two kicks (FA Cup trials)
• Coin toss decides who shoots first

Famous FA Cup Replay Matches

1984: Everton vs Liverpool

Fourth Round Replay

A classic Merseyside derby that needed a replay, with Everton eventually winning 1-0.

1991: Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham

FA Cup Semi-Final

Required two replays before Tottenham won, with Gascoigne's famous free-kick.

2013: Arsenal vs Liverpool

Fifth Round

Arsenal won 2-1 in the replay after a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.