Which non-league sides will face each other in the FA Trophy first round proper?

The FA Trophy 2026-27 first round proper draw has been made, with 64 clubs now knowing their next opponents after a dramatic weekend of third round qualifying action.

There was plenty of late drama as Bury survived a remarkable Gainsborough Trinity comeback before winning on penalties, while Redcar Athletic reached this stage of the competition for the first time thanks to Owen Burns’ late winner at Guisborough Town.

St Albans City also impressed as Kai Brown hit a first-half hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Bury Town, while Waltham Abbey produced one of the round’s biggest results with a 7-1 victory over AFC Croydon Athletic.

Now the surviving sides have discovered what stands between them and the second round proper, with the first round proper ties set to be played on Saturday, October 24th 2026.

Here’s everything you need to know about the draw.

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FA Trophy first round proper draw

1. Warrington Rylands v Guiseley
2. Bury v Prescot Cables
3. Workington v Cleethorpes Town
4. Leek Town v Bootle
5. Ashton United v Redcar Athletic
6. Bridlington Town v Curzon Ashton
7. Avro v Hyde United
8. Redditch United v Gloucester City
9. Mickleover v Alfreton Town
10. Anstey Nomads v Bromsgrove Sporting
11. Evesham United v Halesowen Town
12. Loughborough Students v Stourbridge
13. Bourne Town v Banbury United
14. Kettering Town v Quorn
15. Egham Town v Uxbridge
16. Erith Town v Burgess Hill Town
17. Leatherhead v Eastbourne Borough
18. Dartford v Three Bridges
19. Whitehawk v St Albans City
20. Aveley v Carshalton Athletic
21. Enfield Town v Hanworth Villa
22. Needham Market v Wingate & Finchley
23. Hastings United v Waltham Abbey
24. Berkhamsted v Cray Wanderers
25. Faversham Town v Newmarket Town
26. Deal Town v Hashtag United
27. Takeley v Chertsey Town
28. Weymouth v Sholing
29. Didcot Town v Poole Town
30. Taunton Town v Wimborne Town
31. Gosport Borough v Chichester City
32. Bath City v Frome Town

When will the first round proper take place?

The 32 first round proper ties are scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 24th 2026, with the default kick-off time set for 3pm.

Ties can be rearranged in advance, so supporters should check with their respective clubs for confirmation of dates and kick-off times.

What is the prize money on offer?

There is £3,000 on offer to every winning club in the first round proper, while losing sides receive £775.

The prize fund increases as clubs progress through the competition:

Round	Winners	Losers
Preliminary Round	£1,500	£400
First Round Qualifying	£1,500	£400
Second Round Qualifying	£2,250	£575
Third Round Qualifying	£2,450	£625
First Round Proper	£3,000	£775
Second Round Proper	£3,750	£1,000
Third Round Proper	£4,500	£1,250
Fourth Round Proper	£5,250	£1,500
Fifth Round Proper	£6,000	£1,750
Sixth Round Proper	£7,500	£2,000
Semi-final	£15,000	£5,000
Final	£60,000	£30,000

When are the next rounds?

The second round proper is scheduled for Saturday, November 14th 2026, when the 48 Step 2 clubs from the National League North and South enter the competition.

Then the 24 Step 1 clubs from the National League join the competition for the third round proper, which is due to take place on Saturday, December 12th 2026.

With the football calendar packed out over the coming months, supporters can also start planning ahead for some of the season’s biggest Premier League fixtures at seatpick.com/arsenal-tickets.

The full schedule is:

• Fourth Round Proper: Saturday, January 16th 2027
• Fifth Round Proper: Saturday, February 6th 2027
• Sixth Round Proper: Saturday, March 6th 2027
• Semi-final: Saturday, April 3rd 2027
• Final: Sunday, May 16th 2027

The final will be staged at Wembley Stadium.

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