FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round onwards next season as part of a six-year agreement between the Football Association and the Premier League.
According to both bodies, it is hoped that the deal will help tackle the growing calendar congestion. Games will also be played exclusively on weekends, while the Premier League has agreed to invest an additional £33m into grassroots football.
It comes after The FA and TNT Sports agreed a new four-year broadcast deal for the Emirates FA Cup starting from the 2025/26 season.
“The FA Cup is our biggest asset,” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said. “This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.
“We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women’s and girls’ game.
“All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support.”
The new deal means matches will start in the middle of August, with League One and League Two teams entering at this stage before Championship and Premier League clubs join from the third round.
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