A win in the FA Cup second round is worth £79,500, and that’s before any glory. It also books a place in the FA Cup third round draw, where Premier League sides wait. So, every non-league club still alive has a reason to dream. Here’s who could cause the next shock.
As of 3 November 2026, the first round hasn’t been played yet. Those 40 ties take place across the weekend of 7 November, so the next field is still forming. Even so, the draw has already produced several matchups with a real upset story. So, this guide covers the format, the money and the ties to watch.
How the FA Cup Second Round Works
The FA Cup second round brings together 40 survivors from the first round in 20 ties. The main date is Saturday 5 December 2026, although some games can be played a day either side. Because the draw usually follows a day or two after the first round ends, the wait is short. And since it’s random, a lower-league club can land a home tie against a bigger name.
League One and League Two clubs enter at the first round, joining 32 non-league sides from the qualifying rounds. That makes 80 clubs in 40 ties, which means 40 winners move on. Meanwhile, Premier League and Championship clubs don’t arrive until the third round. That’s the weekend of 9 January 2027, when the big names finally appear.
How Non-League Clubs Reach the FA Cup Second Round
Before any of this, the road starts in August. The extra preliminary round kicked off on Saturday 8 August 2026. Since then, the qualifying rounds have trimmed 651 non-league clubs down to 32. Meanwhile, National League clubs joined late, at the fourth qualifying round on 17 October.
That journey explains why a first-round win feels so big. Stafford Rangers, for instance, beat National League side Gateshead 5–0 in a replay to get here. Once a club reaches the first round proper, the prize money jumps sharply. Because of this, a single result can change a small club’s whole season.
Reading the Pyramid Before the FA Cup Second Round
English football’s pyramid makes the gaps easy to count. League One is the third tier, while League Two is the fourth. Then the National League sits fifth, with National League North and South in the sixth tier. So, a seventh-tier club like Cray Wanderers is three steps below League Two.
That’s why a tie like Rushden at Burton looks so lopsided on paper. Even so, tier gaps don’t always decide a ninety-minute game. Fitness, focus and luck all play a part. Plus, a one-off match strips away the long-season edge that bigger squads usually bring.
Why the FA Cup Second Round Prize Money Matters
The FA’s prize fund climbs with every round, so the gaps are worth studying. Here’s what clubs earn from the first three proper rounds. In each case, the winner’s cheque is far larger than the loser’s.
- First round: winners £47,750, losers £15,800.
- Second round: winners £79,500, losers £21,200.
- Third round: winners £121,500, losers £26,500.
For a club from the seventh or eighth tier, those figures can matter more than any league result. Still, the bigger prize may be the exposure. Because a non-league side that wins in round two could soon face a Premier League club, the stakes feel huge. That’s the kind of day supporters talk about for decades.
Ties to Watch Before the FA Cup Second Round Draw
Five first-round ties could shape the FA Cup second round, as of 3 November. Each one needs the underdog to win this weekend before anything else can happen. Even so, the gaps are striking. Stafford Rangers and AFC Rushden & Diamonds, both in the eighth tier, are the lowest-ranked clubs left.
Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town
Stafford play in the Northern Premier League West and earned a home tie. They got it because they beat Gateshead 5–0 in that qualifying replay. Meanwhile, Grimsby, from League Two, sit four divisions higher. After that result, they can’t say they weren’t warned.
Burton Albion v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden travel to League One Burton, with five divisions separating the clubs. They play in the Northern Premier League Midlands. Because of this, it’s one of the widest gaps in the whole draw. Even so, an away underdog has nothing to lose.
Cray Wanderers v Stockport County
Cray beat Bedford Town 4–3 on penalties after a 2–2 replay. The seventh-tier Isthmian League Premier side now host League One Stockport. Because they’re at home, Cray get the crowd on their side. In a one-off tie, that can count for plenty.
Worcester City at Colchester United
Luke Rowe’s late winner against Chorley sent Worcester through. As a result, the Southern League Premier Central side now visit League Two Colchester. Three divisions separate them, so the gap is smaller than at Burton. Still, the trip is a stiff test.
Oxford City v Leicester City
Oxford City, of National League North, host League One Leicester. The visitors won the FA Cup in 2021, so they know the competition well. Oxford sit three divisions lower, yet they have home advantage. Of course, that’s exactly how upsets are born.
Other underdog angles
Alvechurch, a seventh-tier side, visit Plymouth Argyle. Meanwhile, Plymouth Parkway meet Berkhamsted, so a seventh-tier club is guaranteed a second-round place. Wimborne Town, also seventh tier, face Crawley Town. Elsewhere, Sholing, another seventh-tier club, play Salisbury. Together, these ties show how wide the non-league challenge runs, and each one adds colour to a packed weekend.
What Makes a Giant-Killing Likely
Upsets rarely come from nowhere, so the pattern tends to repeat. A home crowd, an early goal and a nervous favourite are the classic ingredients. That’s my read, not a rule, but it fits ties like Stafford’s. By contrast, ninth-tier Tadley Calleva lost 2–0 to Aldershot in a replay, a reminder of how thin the margins run.
The second round adds another twist. Ties are drawn at random, so a winning non-league side could meet a League club next. On the other hand, two non-league clubs could draw each other, which guarantees one of them reaches round three. Either way, the draw decides who becomes the next giant-killing candidate.
If I had to pick one shock, I’d watch Stafford Rangers. They’ve already beaten a National League side 5–0, and Grimsby arrive knowing the danger. That’s only an opinion, of course. After all, cup football loves ruining predictions. Even so, a bold pick makes the weekend more fun, and Stafford’s supporters will surely agree.
Why League Clubs Fear the FA Cup Second Round
League One and League Two sides carry their own pressure into the FA Cup second round. A home loss to a non-league club can sour a season, so managers must weigh rotation against risk. Meanwhile, the prize cheque is useful, but it’s the draw that really matters. That’s my view, and it’s why the FA Cup second round so often produces nerves on both sides.
Still, the reward for winning is clear. Round three brings a draw with Premier League and Championship clubs, and that changes the mood in any dressing room. So, a tough away day in December can feel like a bargain. For a lower-league side, that’s a rare chance to meet a Premier League giant.
Dates to Know After the FA Cup Second Round
The cup doesn’t slow down once the second round ends. Winners move straight into a draw that includes the biggest clubs in the country. Meanwhile, the Carabao Cup quarter-finals fall in mid-December, and Boxing Day football follows soon after. Here’s the calendar, using each round’s main date. The third round comes on Saturday 9 January 2027, followed by the fourth round on Saturday 13 February.
Then the fifth round arrives on Saturday 6 March, and the quarter-finals follow on Saturday 3 April. Finally, the final is set for Saturday 22 May 2027 at Wembley Stadium. Before that, two semi-finals will be played at Wembley, with the main date set for Saturday 24 April.
Key Takeaways
- Main date: The FA Cup second round arrives on Saturday 5 December 2026, so mark it down.
- Field size: Forty clubs play 20 ties, and 20 winners move on.
- Prize money: Winners earn £79,500, while losers receive £21,200.
- Lowest-ranked sides: Stafford Rangers and AFC Rushden & Diamonds, both eighth tier, are still alive.
- What’s next: The third round arrives on the weekend of 9 January 2027, when the big clubs enter.
FAQs
When is the FA Cup second round in 2026-27?
The main date is Saturday 5 December 2026, with some ties possible a day either side.
How many teams play in the FA Cup second round?
Forty teams play in 20 ties.
How much prize money do second-round winners get?
Winning clubs receive £79,500, while losing clubs receive £21,200.
When do Premier League clubs enter the FA Cup?
They join in the third round, on the weekend of 9 January 2027.
Which clubs are the lowest-ranked left in the FA Cup?
As of 3 November 2026, Stafford Rangers and AFC Rushden & Diamonds, both eighth-tier sides, are the lowest left.
Conclusion
The FA Cup second round is where one good result can turn a small club’s season into a story. With the first round still to play, the picture will change fast. Stafford, Rushden, Cray, Worcester and Oxford City all have a path to get there. If one of them does, the FA Cup second round could hand fans the giant-killing shock they’ve been waiting for.
