FA Cup draw sets up Arsenal trip to Mansfield as Man City face Newcastle
The fifth-round draw for the FA Cup has produced a mix of glamour ties and giant-killing storylines, with League One side Mansfield Town handed a home meeting with Arsenal and Manchester City drawn away to Newcastle. The ties are scheduled for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026, while one deferred fourth-round replay will be played on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2: 45 PM ET.
Big names and a textbook cup upset story
Mansfield Town, who reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 1975, will enjoy a rare home spotlight when they host Arsenal. The Stags advanced with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at Turf Moor over Premier League Burnley, overturning a first-half deficit to book the clash with the 14-time winners. The occasion offers Mansfield a chance to test themselves against elite opposition on their own turf and brings a feel-good narrative to the competition.
Other mouthwatering ties include Manchester City travelling to Newcastle United in a repeat of one of this season's League Cup semi-finals, and Wrexham welcoming Chelsea in a fixture that pairs a Championship struggler with an eight-time Cup winner. Liverpool are away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Leeds United entertain Norwich City. Fulham will host Southampton, and West Ham United await the winner of Macclesfield or Brentford.
Fixture timing, replays and logistical notes
Fifth-round matches are due to be played across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 ET. One fourth-round tie, Port Vale versus Bristol City, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch and has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2: 45 PM ET; the winner of that match will travel to face Sunderland.
The draw throws up several tricky trips for teams involved in promotion or relegation fights, meaning clubs will need to balance league priorities with a lucrative cup run. For lower-league sides, hosting a big-name opponent can deliver a financial boost through gate receipts and matchday revenue, while top-flight teams must guard against the classic cup trap of underestimating lower-tier opposition.
What the draw means for clubs and fans
For Mansfield, the draw is a landmark moment and a chance to relive historic cup memories; their last appearance at this stage dates back to the mid-1970s. The victory over Burnley will have injected confidence into the squad and generated local excitement ahead of what will likely be one of the biggest home matches in decades.
Wrexham’s tie with Chelsea carries extra interest off the pitch. The Welsh club have climbed back up the pyramid in recent seasons and now host one of the competition’s most decorated sides, creating a narrative-rich encounter. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s trip to Newcastle will revisit a high-intensity rivalry between two of the country’s strongest squads this season.
Supporters can expect ticketing and fixture details to be confirmed by the clubs in the coming days. With the fifth round now set, attention will quickly turn to preparations — and to whether any more cup shocks are in store as the competition moves into its business end.
