When the first 2021/22 FA Cup draws will be released

The Football Association have notified member clubs when the draws for the Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Rounds of the 2021/22 FA Cup will be released.

The release date will also include the opening rounds of the Buildbase FA Trophy, Buildbase FA Vase and FA Youth Cup.

Friday 9th July is the date for the diary and will include the following:

• The Emirates FA Cup – Extra Preliminary Round & Preliminary Round
• The Buildbase FA Trophy – First Round Qualifying & Second Round Qualifying
• The Buildbase FA Vase – First Round Qualifying & Second Round Qualifying
• The FA Youth Cup – Preliminary Round and First Round Qualifying

As well as the important dates, the FA also revealed that only eight Step 6 clubs would be admitted to the FA Cup next season due to it being oversubscribed.

In a change from normal, due to the National League System restructure, 21 clubs at Step 4 will be placed in the Extra Preliminary Round with the remaining teams exempt until the Preliminary Round. This could affect Berkshire sides Binfield, Bracknell Town and Thatcham Town.

When does the 2021/22 FA Cup start?

The 2021/22 FA Cup will include 729 teams and kick-off with the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 7th August 2021.

The list of participating clubs, round dates and prize fund information will be available to clubs from Friday 2nd July.