The 2026/27 FA Cup kicks-off in its usual style with 219 matches up and down the country, including a plethora in the Royal County of Berkshire.
Friday night is where the fun begins as Ascot United host Clevedon Town and Wokingham Town host Corsham Town, then on Saturday it’s full-steam ahead with 11 matches the length and breadth of the county.
There are several milestones to consider, Yateley United for example taking part in their first ever FA Cup while neighbours Eversley & California compete for the second successive season after winning their battle against the drop last season.
Related: How to qualify for the FA Cup
Among the historic names beginning at the first stage of the competition is Windsor & Eton for a second season in a row. The re-formed club took on the name of the side that reached the First Round Proper seven times between 1926 and 1992 including games against Brentford, Charlton Athletic and a replay with Torquay United.
Listen to the latest episode of Berkshire Football Stories including Dave Kitson and Windsor & Eton boss Rob Webb:
Following promotion back to Step 4 via the play-offs at the end of last season, Windsor might thought they’d be in with a chance of a bye, although when manager Rob Webb spoke to Football in Berkshire’s podcast, he was having none of it!
“I don’t think I’d be up for a bye,” he told the latest episode of Berkshire Football Stories. “I think I love the games. To play in the FA Cup is a privilege.”
“I don’t really want a bye in the FA Cup. I just want to keep playing in it and play as many rounds as I can. I think it’s good for the club as well. To get a home draw is fantastic for the club. In non-league, home draws are the best you can ask for. From a financial point of view, you need this.
“It’s the lifeblood of what you do.”
Windsor face a tough challenge at home in Bristol Manor Farm with Webb admitting scouting opportunities have been limited: “We’ve seen footage of a friendly against Didcot Town, but that’s it. It’s really tough to get footage of them because your network’s a lot smaller in that area. The best we’ve been able to do is find out things about individuals and find footage from other teams and things like that.
I know they’re going to be big, I know they’re going to be robust, I know they’re going to be physical. We’re expecting a very physical game, but we’ll hold our own for sure.”
Related: What happens when the FA Cup brings the BBC cameras to your club
Meanwhile, Yateley’s new manager Jordan Blake has offered an incentive to supporters ahead of the clubs debut FA Cup tie at Sean Devereaux Park against Alton.
“For all Yateley United fans and members,” he post on social media, “I’ll personally be putting £200 behind the bar for everyone to enjoy a drink.”
“Once the £200 is gone, it’s gone, so get there early! Let’s pack out Sean Devereux Park and make it a special historical moment in the club’s history.”
The magic of the FA Cup is certainly in the air, and we’d love to know which games you’re headed to and some favourite FA Cup memories – drop us a message in the comments here.
The Preliminary Round draw has already been made and is as follows:
Matches to be played on the weekend of Saturday 22 August 2026. Prize money: Winners – £1,125, Losers – £375.
- Wells City OR Aylesbury Vale Dynamos vs Abingdon United OR Risborough Rangers
- Ascot United OR Clevedon Town vs Beaconsfield Town or Penn & Tylers Green
- Burnham OR Slimbridge vs Highworth Town or Milton Keynes Irish
- Didcot Town OR Binfield vs Swindon Supermarine or Tuffley Rovers
- Petersfield Town OR Fareham Town vs Laverstock & Ford or Eversley & California
- Bishop’s Cleeve vs Holyport OR Wallingford & Crowmarsh
- Hungerford Town vs Wokingham Town OR Corsham Town
- Reading City OR Tring Athletic vs Cribbs or Fairford Town
- Cowes Sports or Hamble Club vs Tadley Calleva OR Bemerton Heath Harlequins
- Easington Sports OR Mangotsfield United vs Thatcham Town OR Cinderford Town
- Redhill or Ashford United vs Virginia Water OR South Park (Reigate)
- Windsor & Eton OR Bristol Manor Farm vs North Leigh or Amersham Town
- Paulton Rovers or Fleetlands vs Yateley United OR Alton
All the weekend’s fixtures in the FA Cup, National League and more across Berkshire are available via Football in Berkshire’s Fixtures and Scores service here.
