When's the FA Cup draw? Fifth-round ball numbers, time and how to follow
The FA Cup fifth-round draw is set for Monday, February 16, 2026, with the live ceremony taking place ahead of Macclesfield’s fourth-round match against Brentford. Supporters will be able to watch the draw as part of the match’s pre-game coverage from approximately 1: 35 p. m. ET. The fifth-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Draw format, presenters and process
The draw will be carried out live from Macclesfield and will be presented by Darren Fletcher alongside Ally McCoist. Former professionals Joe Cole and Karen Carney will make the ball selections. The format is an open draw—any remaining team can be paired with any other, with home advantage decided by the random ball number pull.
This stage of the competition marks the last 16, where non-league and lower-league survivors can still be handed high-profile ties or more winnable trips. Clubs will be preparing for potential fixture congestion in March, with domestic league and, for some, European duties also on the calendar. Teams drawn at home will gain the logistical and crowd benefits that can be decisive in a one-off cup tie.
Ball numbers and who’s in the hat
The ball numbers assigned for the fifth-round draw are already confirmed, with a mixture of Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and non-league clubs represented. Here are the numbers fans will want to watch when the balls are picked:
- Liverpool
- Stoke City or Fulham
- Oxford United or Sunderland
- Southampton
- Wrexham
- Arsenal or Wigan Athletic
- Chelsea
- West Ham United
- Mansfield Town
- Norwich City
- Port Vale or Bristol City
- Grimsby Town or Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Newcastle United <14>Manchester City14>
- Macclesfield or Brentford
- Birmingham City or Leeds United
Several slots are conditional pending the completion of outstanding fourth-round ties. Where a ball is labelled with two teams, the winner of that tie will occupy the corresponding number in Monday’s draw. That means final confirmation of the full lineup will only be known once all fourth-round matches are complete.
What to expect next for clubs and supporters
Clubs drawn at home will quickly turn their attention to ticket allocation and matchday logistics, while those handed away ties will begin planning travel and squad rotation. The timing of the fifth-round weekend in early March means managers must consider league priorities and, for some, continental schedules when selecting their matchday squads.
For neutral observers and fans plotting a possible run to Wembley, the draw represents a fresh chapter in the Road to Wembley. Cup specialists and giant-killers alike will be hoping for favourable pairings, but the unpredictability of an open draw ensures excitement right up to the moment the balls are lifted.
Keep an eye on club communications after the draw for kick-off times, ticket details and any fixture confirmations. The draw itself will set the stage for what could be a pivotal weekend on the FA Cup calendar.
