379 teams beging the ‘real’ Road To Wembley on Friday and Saturday when the 2026/27 Isuzu FA Vase kicks-off with the First Qualifying Round.
The FA Cup might offer the glamour, the history, the giant killings and dare we say ‘the magic’, but for non-league football clubs, the FA Vase offers the very real chance of 90 minutes at the home of English football.
In fact, since 2018, three teams from Berkshire have graced the ‘hallowed turf’ of Wembley Stadium – Thatcham Town, Binfield and Ascot United – with the Kingfishers and the Yellas walking up the steps to the Royal Box to lift the trophy.
Now though, 11 matches take place over the weekend involving Football in Berkshire sides while Berks County, Burnham and Reading City watch on – thanks to ‘byes’ earned by impressive campaigns last season.
Related: FA Vase Factfile has ranked the competitions Top 50 clubs – Berkshire’s best might surprise you
Sandhurst Town and Wokingham Town kick the action off on Friday night at Bottom Meadow with the Sumas in as favourites owing to league status and a solid start to their Combined Counties League Premier Division North season – though Sandhurst have started the season strongly and are top of the Wessex League Division One.
Based on early season form, Wallingford & Crowmarsh look a good bet to go deeper in the competition if they can get through a difficult looking tie against Hellenic League Premier Division Cirencester Town.
Holyport – who host Amersham Town – meanwhile enjoyed their best ever FA Vase run in 22/23, reaching the Third Round, the same season they beat eventual Vase winners Ascot United in the FA Cup. Meanwhile Tadley Calleva will hope to emulate their best run of 24/25 when they too reached the Third Round – they host Bristol side Roman Glass St George.
FA Vase First Qualifying Round draw
Matches to be played on the weekend of Saturday 15 August 2026. Prize money: Winners – £550 Losing club – £160.
All matches are Saturday, 3pm, unless otherwise stated.
- Abingdon United vs Rushden & Higham United
- Bristol Telephones vs AFC Aldermaston
- Eversley & California vs AEK Boco
- Holyport vs Amersham Town
- Kintbury Rangers vs Mangotsfield United
- Wellingborough Whitworth vs Langley
- Tadley Calleva vs Roman Glass St George
- Sport London e Benfica vs Virginia Water
- Wallingford & Crowmarsh vs North Greenford United
- Sandhurst Town vs Wokingham Town (Friday night, 7:45pm, Bottom Meadow)
- Woodley United vs Cirencester Town
Depth: FA Vase Factfile post on the First Qualifying Round is here.
Isthmian League kick-off
Speaking of Ascot United, the Yellas get the 2026/27 Isthmian League South Central Division One season underway at the weekend alongside Binfield and newcomers Windsor & Eton.
Eight teams have already kicked-off their campaigns and Winchester City lead the way, but now Windsor & Eton will travel to Bognor Regis Town – a trip to the seaside in August is certainly not the worst way to start the season – while Binfield are at home to Hendon and Ascot head to Bedfont Sports.
The Yellas have been announcing signings this week with Connor Richardson on dual registration from Hanwell Town while Cam Rohart-Brown has returned and former Reading FC goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown is back coaching the clubs goalkeepers.
Related: Isthmian League news plus interviews with Gavin Smith, Ross Weatherstone and Rob Webb are all here.
Binfield have also been announcing signings with Charley Tuttle chief among them, while captain Lewis Wing and Harvey Griffiths both among players back at Hill Farm Lane.
- Bedfont Sports vs Ascot United
- Binfield vs Hendon
- Bognor Regis Town vs Windsor & Eton
All Isthmian League fixtures kick off at 3pm on Saturday.
