FA Cup Betting & Odds 2026/27

The FA Cup is the oldest major national football competition in the world and one of the highlights of the English football season. Clubs from across the football pyramid compete in knockout ties on the road to Wembley, creating the possibility of Premier League teams facing lower-league and non-league opposition.

At 888sport, customers can explore FA Cup betting odds throughout the 2026/27 competition, from individual matches to outright winner and qualification markets. Visit the FA Cup betting page to see the latest available odds and fixtures.

FA Cup 2026/27

The 2026/27 FA Cup began with the Extra Preliminary Round on 8 August 2026. Qualifying continues through the opening months of the season before the competition proper begins in November.

Premier League and Championship clubs enter at the Third Round Proper in January, traditionally one of the biggest weekends in the English football calendar. From there, the remaining teams compete through the knockout rounds for a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.

FA Cup 2026/27 Key Dates

• Extra Preliminary Round: 8 August 2026
• Preliminary Round: 22 August 2026
• First Round Qualifying: 5 September 2026
• Second Round Qualifying: 19 September 2026
• Third Round Qualifying: 3 October 2026
• Fourth Round Qualifying: 17 October 2026
• First Round Proper: 7 November 2026
• Second Round Proper: 5 December 2026
• Third Round Proper: 9 January 2027
• Fourth Round Proper: 13 February 2027
• Fifth Round Proper: 6 March 2027
• Quarter-finals: 3 April 2027
• Semi-finals: 24 April 2027
• FA Cup Final: 22 May 2027

Round dates may be subject to change.

FA Cup Betting Odds

The knockout format gives FA Cup betting a different dynamic from league football. The draw determines each club's route through the competition, meaning outright odds can change significantly after every round.

Common FA Cup betting markets may include:

• Match Result
• Team to Qualify
• Double Chance
• Draw No Bet
• Both Teams to Score
• Total Goals
• Correct Score
• First Goalscorer
• Anytime Goalscorer
• Half-Time/Full-Time
• Asian Handicap
• FA Cup Winner

Available markets vary according to the fixture and stage of the competition. Customers should check the relevant event page for the latest prices and selections.

FA Cup Outright Betting

The FA Cup outright winner market allows customers to select which club they think will lift the trophy at Wembley.

Premier League clubs typically feature prominently in the market, but the competition's knockout structure means the draw can have a major influence on each team's prospects. Clubs may also approach the tournament differently depending on their league position, European commitments and squad depth.

Useful factors to consider when assessing FA Cup outright odds may include:

• Potential route through the draw
• Squad depth
• Current form
• Home and away performance
• Injuries and suspensions
• European and domestic fixture congestion
• Previous cup experience

Betting on FA Cup Matches

FA Cup ties can create unusual match-ups between clubs from different levels of English football. A lower-division side may host Premier League opposition, while later rounds can produce fixtures between some of the strongest teams in the country.

Team selection can therefore be particularly important. Managers may rotate players depending on their wider fixture schedule, while lower-league clubs can approach a high-profile home tie very differently from a normal league match.

Confirmed line-ups, recent form and home advantage can all provide useful context before assessing the latest FA Cup odds.

FA Cup Live Betting

Selected fixtures may also be available through FA Cup live betting. In-play odds update as the match develops and may react to goals, cards, substitutions and the amount of time remaining.

Available live markets may include:

• Live Match Result
• Next Team to Score
• Next Goalscorer
• Total Goals
• Both Teams to Score
• Correct Score
• Corners
• Cards

Live markets can change or temporarily close while important match incidents are reviewed.

FA Cup Giant Killings

One of the defining features of the FA Cup is the opportunity for clubs from different divisions to meet in a one-off knockout tie. These matches have produced some of the most memorable upsets in English football history.

League position alone does not always reflect the circumstances of a cup match. Home advantage, squad rotation, motivation and the pressure of a knockout tie can all influence the contest when a lower-ranked club faces opposition from a higher division.

This unpredictability is also why the draw matters so much when assessing both individual FA Cup matches and outright winner odds.

FA Cup Final Betting

The 2026/27 FA Cup Final is scheduled for Saturday 22 May 2027 at Wembley Stadium.

The final is played as a single match. Betting markets may cover the result after 90 minutes as well as which team will lift the trophy, so customers should check the precise market definition before placing a selection.

A standard Match Result market is normally settled after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, while a To Lift the Trophy or To Qualify market can include extra time and penalties where applicable.

FA Cup History and Records

The FA Cup was first played in the 1871/72 season, making it the oldest major national football competition in the world.

Arsenal hold the record for the most FA Cup victories with 14. The competition has been won by many of the biggest clubs in English football, while its long history also includes famous runs and victories from teams outside the top flight.

Tottenham Hotspur's 1901 triumph remains particularly notable. Spurs won the competition while playing in the Southern League, making them the only non-League club to win the FA Cup since the formation of the Football League.

What to Consider Before Betting on the FA Cup

• Confirmed starting line-ups
• Squad rotation
• Difference in league level
• Recent form
• Home and away records
• Injuries and suspensions
• Fixture congestion
• Previous cup performances
• Potential route through the draw
• Whether the market covers 90 minutes or qualification

No previous result or statistic guarantees the outcome of a future FA Cup tie. The knockout format and possibility of significant squad rotation make current team information particularly relevant.

FA Cup Betting FAQs

When is the 2027 FA Cup Final?

The 2026/27 FA Cup Final is scheduled for Saturday 22 May 2027 at Wembley Stadium.

When do Premier League teams enter the FA Cup?

Premier League and Championship clubs enter the FA Cup at the Third Round Proper, which is scheduled for 9 January 2027 in the 2026/27 season.

Who has won the most FA Cups?

Arsenal are the most successful club in FA Cup history with 14 victories.

Has a non-League club ever won the FA Cup?

Tottenham Hotspur won the FA Cup in 1901 while playing in the Southern League. They remain the only non-League winners since the formation of the Football League.

What is the difference between Match Result and To Qualify?

A standard Match Result market is normally settled after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. A To Qualify market focuses on which team progresses to the next round and can include extra time or penalties where applicable.

Can I bet on FA Cup matches live?

Selected FA Cup fixtures may be available for live betting. Current in-play markets and odds are displayed on the relevant event page.

Odds and market availability are subject to change. Check the latest prices and applicable betting rules before placing a bet. Gambling should be treated as entertainment. Set limits, never chase losses and only bet if you are aged 18 or over.