Which non-league clubs are in the FA Cup third qualifying round draw?

The Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round draw has been made, with 40 ties set to take place across the weekend of Saturday 3rd October 2026 as non-league sides continue their journey towards the first round proper.

Whilst a number of teams have already secured their places in the next round, 28 clubs still need to settle second qualifying-round replays before the draw can be completed.

The weekend action saw Tadley Calleva, who compete in the Combined Counties Premier Division South, make history with their 1-0 victory at Bishop’s Cleeve in the second qualifying round.

SE Dons, meanwhile, secured another remarkable victory, beating seventh-tier Chichester City 3-2 with two injury-time goals to make sure their debut campaign carries on.

Barton Town also continued their historic run by beating Boldmere St Michaels 3-1, whilst Stafford Rangers produced one of the shocks of the round by coming from behind to beat National League North leaders Hereford 3-2 in front of more than 3,000 supporters.

Other notable results include South Shields’ 7-0 demolition of Witton Albion, Chesham United’s 7-2 victory over Ware and Torquay United’s 6-1 win against AFC Stoneham.

The third qualifying round represents another significant step towards the first round proper.

The full draw is below.

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Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round draw

1. Macclesfield v Scarborough Athletic
2. Marine v Warrington Town
3. Trafford v Atherton Collieries
4. Guiseley v Bradford (Park Avenue)
5. Leamington or Gainsborough Trinity v Anstey Nomads
6. Morecambe v Darlington
7. Buxton v South Shields
8. Bury v Bromsgrove Sporting
9. Barton Town v Chorley
10. AFC Telford United or Worksop Town v FC United of Manchester
11. Stafford Rangers v Halesowen Town
12. Spennymoor Town v Chester
13. Mulbarton Wanderers v Gloucester City
14. Bury Town v Spalding United
15. Harborough Town v St Albans City
16. Bedford Town v Hemel Hempstead Town or Wingate & Finchley
17. Kettering Town v Worcester City
18. Cambridge City v Alvechurch
19. Brackley Town v Chelmsford City
20. Chesham United v Real Bedford
21. Oxford City v Enfield Town
22. Brentwood Town v Waltham Abbey or Dagenham & Redbridge
23. Leiston v Coventry United
24. Redditch United v Berkhamsted
25. AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Needham Market or Braintree Town
26. Southall or Dorking Wanderers v Chatham Town
27. Merthyr Town or Truro City v Cirencester Town or Farnham Town
28. Tonbridge Angels v Torquay United
29. Weymouth v SE Dons
30. Sheppey United v Chertsey Town
31. Cray Wanderers or Maidstone United v Yate Town or Chippenham Town
32. Hampton & Richmond Borough v Weston Super Mare or Wimborne Town or Crowborough Athletic
33. Plymouth Parkway v Horsham
34. Uxbridge or Farnborough v Hungerford Town
35. Ebbsfleet United v Sholing
36. Salisbury v Dulwich Hamlet
37. Thame United or Exmouth Town v Eastbourne Borough
38. Hanwell Town v Dover Athletic
39. Tadley Calleva v Dartford
40. Leatherhead v Hanworth Villa

When will the third qualifying round take place?

The default date for the third qualifying round is Saturday 3rd October 2026, with all ties scheduled to kick off at 3pm.

Fixtures can be moved before the scheduled date, while replays must be played by Thursday 8th October 2026, with a 7.45pm kick-off deadline.

Should a replay then be affected by postponement, then it must be played by Thursday 15th October 2026.

When are the third qualifying round replays?

There are 14 replays still to be played, with those ties deciding the final places in the third qualifying round.

Tuesday 22 September

• Gainsborough Trinity v Leamington
• Worksop Town v AFC Telford United
• Wingate & Finchley v Hemel Hempstead Town
• Braintree Town v Needham Market
• Dagenham & Redbridge v Waltham Abbey
• Maidstone United v Cray Wanderers
• Dorking Wanderers v Southall
• Crowborough Athletic v Hampton & Richmond Borough
• Farnborough v Uxbridge
• Wimborne Town v Weston Super Mare
• Farnham Town v Cirencester Town
• Truro City v Merthyr Town
• Chippenham Town v Yate Town

Wednesday 23 September

• Exmouth Town v Thame United

The majority are scheduled for Tuesday 22 September, with one replay taking place on Wednesday 23 September. All 14 ties are scheduled for a 7.45pm kick-off.

What are the standout third qualifying round ties?

There are several intriguing all-Step 2 contests in the draw, including Macclesfield v Scarborough Athletic, Morecambe v Darlington, Buxton v South Shields and Spennymoor Town v Chester.

Tadley Calleva’s home tie against Dartford will also attract plenty of attention after their historic run from the preliminary rounds.

The Combined Counties Premier Division South club have already eliminated Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Hamble Club, Laverstock & Ford and Bishop’s Cleeve.

SE Dons will also be hoping to continue their extraordinary run when they travel to Weymouth.

The ninth-tier side have now beaten Chertsey Town and Chichester City in successive rounds, with their latest victory secured by two goals in injury time.

What is the prize money on offer?

There is £5,625 on offer for every club that wins in the third qualifying round, while losing clubs will receive £1,875.

The prize fund increases again in the fourth qualifying round, with winners receiving £9,375 and losing clubs receiving £3,125.

Clubs reaching the first round proper will then be playing for significantly bigger sums, with winners receiving £47,750 and losing clubs receiving £15,800.

What comes after the next round?

The fourth qualifying round will take place on Saturday 17th October 2026 as Step 1 clubs from the National League will enter the competition at this stage.

The first round proper is scheduled for Saturday 7th November 2026, when clubs from the EFL enter the FA Cup.

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