FA Cup fifth-round draw set for Feb. 16 — draw to be made live from Macclesfield
The draw for the Emirates FA Cup fifth round will take place on Monday, February 16, 2026, with proceedings beginning during the fourth-round tie pre-match coverage at approximately 1: 35 p. m. ET. The draw will be staged live from Macclesfield ahead of their fourth-round match with Brentford and will feature former internationals making the selections.
When and how the draw will unfold
The draw is scheduled to be made during the build-up to Macclesfield’s fourth-round fixture against Brentford on Monday, February 16. Coverage will begin ahead of kick-off, with the draw itself expected at around 1: 35 p. m. ET. Presenters Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist will front the broadcast, while the balls will be pulled by Joe Cole and Karen Carney.
Ball numbers and who is in the hat
Sixteen slots have been allocated for the fifth-round draw. Some places are still undecided and depend on the outcome of remaining fourth-round ties. The current ball numbers are:
- 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
The presence of non-league and lower-league sides among those numbers underlines the competition’s unpredictability. Several top-tier clubs are already confirmed in the hat and will learn their opponents once the draw is made.
When the fifth round will be played and what to expect
Fifth-round ties are scheduled to be played across the weekend of Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, 2026. Clubs drawn at home will be aiming to secure progression toward the latter stages and a potential trip to Wembley, while away sides will target upsets and momentum swings that can reshape their seasons.
Fixture timing and venues will be confirmed after the draw. With Premier League and European commitments for some clubs, expect careful scheduling and the possibility of replays or adjustments as needed. The draw’s live setting in Macclesfield adds extra local interest, with the host club potentially joining the fifth-round line-up depending on the outcome of their fourth-round tie.
Supporters should watch for official fixture announcements following the draw to arrange travel and ticketing. The FA Cup’s fifth round traditionally delivers high-stakes ties and surprise results, and this year’s draw promises the same blend of glamour and giant-killing potential.
