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Who will the Non-League hopefuls face in the FA Cup Third Round Proper?

A handful of Non-League dreamers booked their place in Monday’s draw at the weekend – and they now know exactly who awaits them in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Proper.

Macclesfield will face FA Cup holders Crystal Palace after their second-round victory over Slough Town.

A handful of Non-League dreamers booked their place in Monday’s draw at the weekend – and they now know exactly who awaits them in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Proper.

Boreham Wood led the weekend’s cup shocks, putting three past Newport County to reach this stage once again – and rekindling memories of their remarkable run to the fifth round in 2021-22.

Macclesfield swept past Slough Town 3-1, with Weston-super-Mare winning the other all Non-League clash.

Brackley Town take on Burton Albion this evening, aiming to join them as the fourth side from outside the top four English leagues in the third round.

Here’s everything you need to know for the next stage of the FA Cup.

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When will the third round proper take place?

The ties are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 10 January 2026, with exact dates and kick-off times to be confirmed once the FA finalises broadcast selections.

Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard smiles on the touchline
Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood beat Newport to progress in the FA Cup
(Bradley Collyer/PA)

What’s at stake financially and competitively?

The rewards ramp up significantly at this stage of the competition.

Clubs who make it through to the Fourth Round Proper will pocket £121,500, a transformative sum for Non-League sides dreaming of a money-spinning tie against Premier League opposition in the next round.

Even those who fall just short won’t leave empty-handed, with £26,500 awarded to third-round losers –vital funds that can make a real difference across the lower leagues.

Which non-league sides are left in the competition?

Should Brackley overcome Burton tonight, they’ll face an all-Non-League tie anyway, with the draw pairing Boreham Wood against Gavin Cowan’s side.

The Saints boss didn’t look particularly thrilled on the live TNT Sports broadcast, especially given the number of big clubs they could have drawn at this stage.

Ironically, the two sides meet this weekend in another cup competition – the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Weston-super-Mare face a trip to League Two outfit Grimsby Town, whilst Macclesfield landed the tie of the round, welcoming FA Cup holders Crystal Palace to the Leasing.com Stadium for a mouth-watering clash.

Macclesfield will face FA Cup holders Crystal Palace after their second-round victory over Slough Town.
Macclesfield will face FA Cup holders Crystal Palace after their second-round victory over Slough Town. PICTURE: Alamy

The draw in full

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Shrewsbury Town
Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town
Preston North End vs Wigan Athletic
Ipswich Town vs Blackpool
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest
Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea
Manchester City vs Exeter City
West Ham United vs Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield Wednesday vs Brentford
Fulham vs Middlesbrough
Everton vs Sunderland
Liverpool vs Barnsley
Burnley vs Millwall
Norwich City vs Walsall
Portsmouth vs Arsenal
Derby County vs Leeds United
Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion
Salford City vs Swindon Town
Boreham Wood vs Brackley Town or Burton Albion
Grimsby Town vs Weston-super-Mare
Hull City vs Blackburn Rovers
Newcastle United vs AFC Bournemouth
Milton Keynes Dons vs Oxford United
Cheltenham Town vs Leicester City
Cambridge United vs Birmingham City
Bristol City vs Watford
Stoke City vs Coventry City
Macclesfield FC vs Crystal Palace
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town

READ MORE: Slough Town 1-3 Macclesfield: Silkmen see off Rebels in extra-time to reach FA Cup third round

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