Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Round Draws
Fri 3rd July 2026 | FA Competition News | By Martin Fallon
The FA have today released the draws for the Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Rounds of the Emirates FA Cup.
19 of our 20 Premier Division clubs enter at the Extra Preliminary Round stage, with Step 6 clubs once again excluded from the competition. FC Isle of Man have once again elected not to participate.
There will be a minimum of four NWCFL clubs in the Preliminary Round with four all-Premier Division clashes. Droylsden's first game in the FA Cup since 2019 will see them travel to Burscough, whilst Ramsbottom United, Premier Division runners-up last season, will host South Liverpool.
Euxton Villa will take on Atherton LR, whilst the quartet is rounded off with Litherland REMYCA who will host Charnock Richard.
Nelson, First Division North winners last season, will welcome last season's First Division South play off winners Stockport Georgians who will be making their FA Cup debut. FC St Helens face arguably the longest trip out of our sides, as they head to the other end of the M62 to face North Ferriby.
One seemingly new name is Keighley Town, who will face off against Longridge Town. This is the new name for Eccleshill United who have played plenty of our sides over the years. Trafford will travel to Worsborough Bridge Athletic, who will be playing in the FA Cup for the first time since 2002.
And finally, whilst not in NWCFL anymore, there are two other interesting ties. Last seasons Premier Division winners Wythenshawe take on last seasons Premier Division play-off winners Padiham, whilst Wythenshawe Town and Cheadle Town face each other, both traditionally NWCFL clubs who will play in the Midlands League this season.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2026
WINNERS RECEIVE £1,125
LOSERS RECEIVE £375
16. Euxton Villa v Atherton LR
23. Abbey Hey v Ossett United
24. Worsborough Bridge Athletic v Trafford
25. Litherland REMYCA v Charnock Richard
27. Clitheroe v AFC Liverpool
28. Chadderton v Witton Albion
29. North Ferriby v FC St Helens
31. Hallam v Irlam
33, Ramsbottom United v South Liverpool
34. Nelson v Stockport Georgians
35. Handsworth v Prestwich Heys
39. Barnoldswick Town v Atherton Collieries
40. Tadcaster Albion v Glossop North End
41. Burscough v Droylsden
42. Keighley Town v Longridge Town
The draw for the Preliminary Round was also released today.
There is a lot of unknowns in this draw but there is potential for three all-NWCFL ties; should Longridge Town beat Keighley Town then they will host either Ramsbottom United or South Liverpool. Barnoldswick Town would welcome Irlam if they both win their Extra-Preliminary Round games, whilst Chadderton would welcome Nelson if they do likewise.
Two former NWCFL sides who were laterally moved to the Midlands League could face our sides in the Preliminary Round. Prestwich Heys could travel to Runcorn Town in the next round, whilst the winners of Burscough and Droylsden could welcome West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 22 AUGUST 2026
WINNERS RECEIVE £1,444
LOSERS RECEIVE £481
11. Tadcaster Albion or Glossop North End v Stalybridge Celtic
13. Liversedge or Penistone Church v Abbey Hey or Ossett United
14. Runcorn Linnets v Worsborough Bridge Athletic or Trafford
15. Chadderton or Witton Albion v Nelson or Stockport Georgians
16. North Ferriby or FC St Helens v Frickley Athletic or Campion
19. Barnoldswick Town or Atherton Collieries v Hallam or Irlam
22. Lower Breck v Euxton Villa or Atherton LR
23. Runcorn Town or Dearne & District v Handsworth or Prestwich Heys
24. Burscough or Droylsden v Garforth Town or West Didsbury & Chorlton
25. Keighley Town or Longridge Town v Ramsbottom United or South Liverpool
26. Wythenshawe or Padiham v Clitheroe or AFC Liverpool
27. Litherland REMYCA or Charnock Richard v Prescot Cables
Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Round Draws
Fri 3rd July 2026 | FA Competition News
By Martin Fallon
The FA have today released the draws for the Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Rounds of the Emirates FA Cup.
19 of our 20 Premier Division clubs enter at the Extra Preliminary Round stage, with Step 6 clubs once again excluded from the competition. FC Isle of Man have once again elected not to participate.
There will be a minimum of four NWCFL clubs in the Preliminary Round with four all-Premier Division clashes. Droylsden's first game in the FA Cup since 2019 will see them travel to Burscough, whilst Ramsbottom United, Premier Division runners-up last season, will host South Liverpool.
Euxton Villa will take on Atherton LR, whilst the quartet is rounded off with Litherland REMYCA who will host Charnock Richard.
Nelson, First Division North winners last season, will welcome last season's First Division South play off winners Stockport Georgians who will be making their FA Cup debut. FC St Helens face arguably the longest trip out of our sides, as they head to the other end of the M62 to face North Ferriby.
One seemingly new name is Keighley Town, who will face off against Longridge Town. This is the new name for Eccleshill United who have played plenty of our sides over the years. Trafford will travel to Worsborough Bridge Athletic, who will be playing in the FA Cup for the first time since 2002.
And finally, whilst not in NWCFL anymore, there are two other interesting ties. Last seasons Premier Division winners Wythenshawe take on last seasons Premier Division play-off winners Padiham, whilst Wythenshawe Town and Cheadle Town face each other, both traditionally NWCFL clubs who will play in the Midlands League this season.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2026
WINNERS RECEIVE £1,125
LOSERS RECEIVE £375
16. Euxton Villa v Atherton LR
23. Abbey Hey v Ossett United
24. Worsborough Bridge Athletic v Trafford
25. Litherland REMYCA v Charnock Richard
27. Clitheroe v AFC Liverpool
28. Chadderton v Witton Albion
29. North Ferriby v FC St Helens
31. Hallam v Irlam
33, Ramsbottom United v South Liverpool
34. Nelson v Stockport Georgians
35. Handsworth v Prestwich Heys
39. Barnoldswick Town v Atherton Collieries
40. Tadcaster Albion v Glossop North End
41. Burscough v Droylsden
42. Keighley Town v Longridge Town
The draw for the Preliminary Round was also released today.
There is a lot of unknowns in this draw but there is potential for three all-NWCFL ties; should Longridge Town beat Keighley Town then they will host either Ramsbottom United or South Liverpool. Barnoldswick Town would welcome Irlam if they both win their Extra-Preliminary Round games, whilst Chadderton would welcome Nelson if they do likewise.
Two former NWCFL sides who were laterally moved to the Midlands League could face our sides in the Preliminary Round. Prestwich Heys could travel to Runcorn Town in the next round, whilst the winners of Burscough and Droylsden could welcome West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 22 AUGUST 2026
WINNERS RECEIVE £1,444
LOSERS RECEIVE £481
11. Tadcaster Albion or Glossop North End v Stalybridge Celtic
13. Liversedge or Penistone Church v Abbey Hey or Ossett United
14. Runcorn Linnets v Worsborough Bridge Athletic or Trafford
15. Chadderton or Witton Albion v Nelson or Stockport Georgians
16. North Ferriby or FC St Helens v Frickley Athletic or Campion
19. Barnoldswick Town or Atherton Collieries v Hallam or Irlam
22. Lower Breck v Euxton Villa or Atherton LR
23. Runcorn Town or Dearne & District v Handsworth or Prestwich Heys
24. Burscough or Droylsden v Garforth Town or West Didsbury & Chorlton
25. Keighley Town or Longridge Town v Ramsbottom United or South Liverpool
26. Wythenshawe or Padiham v Clitheroe or AFC Liverpool
27. Litherland REMYCA or Charnock Richard v Prescot Cables
