When's the FA Cup fifth-round draw? Everything you need to know
The draw for the Emirates FA Cup fifth round will be made on Monday, February 16, 2026, with proceedings taking place live from Macclesfield ahead of the hosts' fourth-round tie. Here’s what fans need to know: time in Eastern Time, who will make the draw, the full ball list and when the fifth-round ties are scheduled.
When and where — plus how to follow
The draw will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026, from Macclesfield in the build-up to that club’s fourth-round match against Brentford. Coverage of the pre-match build-up begins at approximately 1: 35pm ET, when the draw will be made live as part of the stadium’s pre-match presentation.
The presentation will be fronted by Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist. The balls will be removed from the hat by former professionals Joe Cole and Karen Carney, who will conduct the allocation live on air prior to kick-off.
The ball numbers — full list for the fifth-round draw
Sixteen ball numbers will determine the fifth-round ties. Clubs either confirmed from round four or awaiting the outcome of ties are listed below:
- 1. Liverpool
- 2. Stoke City or Fulham
- 3. Oxford United or Sunderland
- 4. Southampton
- 5. Wrexham
- 6. Arsenal or Wigan Athletic
- 7. Chelsea
- 8. West Ham United
- 9. Mansfield Town
- 10. Norwich City
- 11. Port Vale or Bristol City
- 12. Grimsby Town or Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 13. Newcastle United
- 14. Manchester City
- 15. Macclesfield or Brentford
- 16. Birmingham City or Leeds United
Notable inclusions are Liverpool, who secured their place in the hat with a 3-0 win over Brighton in round four, and the non-league excitement supplied by teams such as Wrexham and Mansfield Town. Several ties are still to be decided and will be confirmed by the time the draw is made.
When will the fifth-round ties be played?
The fifth round is scheduled to be played across the weekend of Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, 2026. Exact kick-off dates and times for individual ties will be confirmed after the draw, with some fixtures likely to be selected for broadcast windows and rearranged accordingly.
Clubs and supporters should expect the usual FA Cup considerations around scheduling: potential TV selections, policing arrangements, and logistics for travelling fans. The draw will set the stage for a weekend of cup football that can reshuffle ambitions for sides across the divisions.
For supporters wanting to plan travel or tickets, the draw’s outcome will determine home and away allocations, so checking with clubs after the draw is recommended. The fifth round traditionally produces high-stakes encounters and potential giant-killing opportunities, and this season’s line-up promises more of the same drama.
