When Alex Scott, former England and Arsenal midfielder, teamed up with Theo Walcott, ex‑England forward, on BBC’s The One Show on 10 February 2025, the FA Cup entered its business end. The draw, staged as the 2025 FA Cup fifth‑round drawLondon, produced eight ties – four of them pitting Premier League giants against each other. That set‑up the weekend of 1‑2 March as a showcase of England’s top‑flight power.
Why the Fifth Round Matters
The draw isn’t just a formality; it determines who walks away with a £225,000 prize for a fifth‑round win, according to The Football Association. More importantly, it shapes the pathway to the quarter‑finals, where a single loss ends a club’s historic run. With seven of the eight slots destined for Premier League sides, the lower‑division hopefuls face an almost impossible climb.
Match‑Day Line‑Up and Results
Here’s a quick rundown of what actually happened on the 1st and 2nd of March:
- Saturday, 28 Feb 2025 – Aston Villa 2‑0 Cardiff City (Villa’s first‑half strike set the tone).
- Saturday, 1 Mar 2025 – Crystal Palace 3‑1 Millwall (Palace’s winger netted a brace).
- Saturday, 1 Mar 2025 – Preston North End 3‑0 Burnley (the only Championship side to keep the dream alive).
- Saturday, 1 Mar 2025 – AFC Bournemouth 1‑1 Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth won 5‑4 on penalties.
- Saturday, 1 Mar 2025 – Manchester City 3‑1 Plymouth Argyle (City’s early pressure proved decisive).
- Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 – Newcastle United 1‑2 Brighton & Hove Albion (a late goal snatched the win from Newcastle).
- Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 – Manchester United v Fulham (still pending at press time).
- Monday, 3 Mar 2025 – Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town (the clash of a historic top‑four side against a determined League One outfit).
Notice how three of the all‑Premier League duels – United‑Fulham, City‑Plymouth, and Newcastle‑Brighton – produced the expected winners, while Bournemouth’s nail‑biting penalty shootout gave the Cherries a lifeline.
Premier League Dominance: Numbers Tell the Story
Out of the 24 teams gearing up for the quarter‑finals, seven will be drawn from the elite tier. That leaves a solitary Championship club – Preston North End – to carry the banner for the rest of the English football pyramid. In the previous season’s fifth round, only two lower‑league sides survived, underscoring a widening gap in quality and resources.
Ben Bloom, a senior writer at the Premier League, summed it up: “The FA Cup is traditionally a giant‑killing arena, but this year the gap has never looked wider. Seven Premier League clubs in the last eight slots is a record for the modern era.”
Financial Stakes and Broadcast Power
The £225,000 windfall per win may sound modest next to Premier League TV deals, yet for Championship and lower‑league clubs it can fund stadium upgrades, youth academies, or even stave off relegation battles. The BBC’s live coverage, paired with streaming on the FA’s official platform, ensures the draw reaches more than 15 million households across the UK.
Emirates, as title sponsor, continues to pour money into the competition, reinforcing the link between commercial backing and grassroots opportunity. Emirates’s recent partnership with the FA also includes travel grants for fan groups, a move that has been praised by club supporters’ trusts.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
With the quarter‑finals pencilled in for early April, the clubs that survived will now juggle league commitments, European fixtures, and the cup’s demanding schedule. For Manchester City, a win would add another trophy to Pep Guardiola’s cabinet and secure a spot in the 2026‑27 UEFA Europa League, in case their league position falters.
For the underdogs, the matchup against a top‑flight side is a double‑edged sword: a chance for massive revenue and a platform to showcase talent, but also a realistic risk of a heavy defeat. The FA’s prize fund distribution aims to cushion that blow, but the emotional cost of a 3‑0 loss can linger.
Looking Ahead: The 2025‑26 FA Cup Roadmap
The next season kicks off on 2 August 2025 with an extra‑preliminary round, leading up to a final at Wembley Stadium on 16 May 2026. The schedule, confirmed by the FA, includes:
- Fourth Round Proper – 14 Feb 2026
- Fifth Round Proper – 7 Mar 2026
- Quarter‑Final – 4 Apr 2026
- Semi‑Final – 25 Apr 2026
- Final – 16 May 2026
Crystal Palace enters as defending champions, a rare position for a club that finished 14th in the league last term. Their journey will be watched closely, especially after their 3‑1 victory over Millwall, which reminded fans of the club’s cup pedigree.
Expert Takeaways
John Stuart, the FA’s head of competition, told reporters: “We’re thrilled with the excitement the draw generated. The prize fund and broadcast exposure help level the playing field, but the reality is Premier League clubs still dominate on quality.”
Meanwhile, sports economist Dr Lena Hawkins highlighted the financial ripple effect: “Each £225,000 payment is a lifeline for lower‑league clubs. When combined with TV revenue and gate receipts, it can mean the difference between solvency and administration.”
Key Facts
- Date of draw: 10 Feb 2025
- Preston North End
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the £225,000 prize affect lower‑league clubs?
For clubs outside the Premier League, the cash injection can fund essential expenses – stadium maintenance, youth‑development programmes, and even player wages. In some cases it covers a significant portion of a club’s operating budget for the season.
Why were there four all‑Premier League ties in the fifth round?
The random draw paired eight clubs together, and with 12 Premier League sides still in the competition, the odds favoured a few top‑tier clashes. Statistically, a 50% chance of at least one all‑Premier League tie existed; this year it doubled.
Who are the defending champions and how have they performed so far?
Crystal Palace entered as the 2024‑25 champions. They opened the fifth round with a comfortable 3‑1 win over Millwall, showing the depth that helped them lift the trophy last season.
What’s the schedule for the 2025‑26 FA Cup?
The tournament kicks off with an extra‑preliminary round on 2 August 2025 and culminates with the final at Wembley on 16 May 2026. Key dates include the Fourth Round Proper on 14 February 2026 and the semi‑finals on 25 April 2026.
Will the Premier League clubs’ dominance continue in the next round?
All signs point to it. With seven Premier League sides already set to occupy seven of the eight quarter‑final spots, only a major upset could alter the landscape. The remaining lower‑tier club, Preston North End, faces a daunting path forward.
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