ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
THE EMIRATES FA CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard.
• Clubs in the Premier League, English Football League and in Steps 1–5 of the FA National League System.
• Clubs at Steps 1–5 must also be participating in either the Isuzu FA Trophy or the Isuzu FA Vase Competitions, in season 2025-26.
• Clubs currently (season 2024-25) at Step 6 of the FA National League System should NOT apply to enter the FA Cup.
Clubs promoted from Step 6 to Step 5 for season 2025-26 will be invited to participate in the competition and automatically accepted once National League System allocations for season 2025-26 have been confirmed.
Clubs relegated from Step 5 to Step 6 for season 2025-26 will NOT be accepted to participate in the competition.
In the event there are places available in the competition for Step 6 clubs, these will be determined by the FA based on a club's points per game at Step 6 of the FA National League System in the previous season.
The FA will notify any successful Step 6 club(s) and invite them to participate in the competition once National League System allocations for season 2025-26 have been confirmed.
THE ISUZU FA TROPHY
• Entry is restricted to clubs participating in Steps 1-4 of the FA National League System subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard.
A club moving between Step 4 and 5 of the FA National League System will be moved accordingly by the FA between the FA Trophy and the FA Vase competitions.
Clubs moving between EFL League 2 and Step 1 of the FA National League System will be automatically included/not included in the FA Trophy competition accordingly.
THE ISUZU FA VASE
• Entry is restricted to clubs participating in Steps 5 & 6 of the FA National League System, subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard.
A club participating below Step 6 of the FA National League System in season 2024-25 shall only be permitted to apply for entry if it has applied for promotion to Step 6 for season 2025-26. However, acceptance into the competition will be subject to such club receiving promotion to Step 6 for season 2025-26.
A club moving between Step 4 and 5 of The FA National League System will be moved accordingly by the FA between the FA Trophy and the FA Vase competitions.
THE FA YOUTH CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard:
• Clubs in the Premier League, English Football League and in Steps 1–5 of the FA National League System.
• Clubs at Steps 1–5 must also be participating in either the FA Trophy or the FA Vase competitions, in season 2025-26.
• Clubs participating in a recognised youth league or suitable competition in season 2025-26 that is sanctioned by the Association or an affiliated Association.
• Youth teams representing a club must be properly integrated, in the opinion of the Association, with the club.
GROUND STANDARDS
THE EMIRATES FA CUP
Clubs must have a ground where all home first team League matches are played, which fully conforms to a Grade 5 of The FA National Ground Grading (appropriate to Step 5 of The FA National League System) or higher.
THE ISUZU FA TROPHY
Clubs must have a ground where all home first team League matches are played, which fully conforms to a Grade 4 of the FA’s Stadium Accreditation criteria (appropriate to Step 4 of The FA National League System) or higher.
(save where a club is in its first season after promotion to Step 4, with a Grade 5 being acceptable in those circumstances)
THE ISUZU FA VASE
Clubs must have a ground where all home first team League matches are played, which fully conforms to a Grade 7 of the FA’s Stadium Accreditation criteria (appropriate to entry to Step 6 of The FA National League System) or higher.
Any club with a ground which does not fully conform to the minimum ground standard, as referenced above, WILL NOT be permitted entry into a competition by nominating an alternative ground solely for the purpose of being used in FA Competitions.
THE FA YOUTH CUP
Clubs outside of the Premier League and English Football League must have a ground where all home first team league matches are played which fully conforms to a Grade 5 of the FA’s Stadium Accreditation criteria (appropriate to Step 5 of The FA National League System) or higher.
ONLINE APPLICATION
To apply for next season's FA Cup, FA Trophy, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup, please click here to submit your application online.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 1 April 2025
Click here for Entry Terms & Conditions for FA Competitions for season 2025-26.
Click here for Entry Criteria & Ground Standards for FA Competitions for season 2025-26.
Contact information for FA Competitions
If any further information is required on applying to enter FA Competitions, please contact competition.entries@thefa.com
