FA Cup fifth-round draw delivers Mansfield v Arsenal and Man City trip to Newcastle
The FA Cup fifth-round draw has produced a mix of blockbuster meetings and David-versus-Goliath storylines. League One Mansfield Town will host 14-time winners Arsenal, Manchester City travel to Newcastle in a repeat of this season's League Cup semi-final, and newly promoted Wrexham are handed a home date with Chelsea. All ties are scheduled across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET).
Mansfield’s fairytale continues as they prepare to host Arsenal
Mansfield Town’s run to the last 16 is the club’s best showing in the competition since 1975. The League One side clinched their place with a memorable comeback at Turf Moor, overturning Premier League opposition to win 2-1 after a second-half fightback. The draw has paired the Stags with one of the competition’s most decorated clubs, guaranteeing a huge occasion at Mansfield’s ground and a significant test for the hosts.
For Mansfield, the tie is both a sporting milestone and a financial boost; home cup ties against major opponents often provide vital revenue and national attention. For Arsenal, the challenge will be to avoid slip-ups on a difficult away trip that pits top-flight quality against lower-league momentum and local fervour.
Premier League heavyweight fixtures and a historic Wrexham meeting
One of the headline ties sees Manchester City travel to Newcastle, a repeat of a domestic-cup semi-final earlier this season that promises to reignite a high-intensity rivalry. Both sides bring strong squads and ambition across multiple competitions, setting up a potentially explosive clash at St James’ Park.
Wrexham, now in the Championship following promotion last summer, will host Chelsea in a meeting that revives a rare competitive matchup—the teams have not met in the league since the early 1980s. Wrexham’s rise through the divisions has drawn attention, and the tie represents a major test against an eight-time FA Cup-winning club. The visitors reached the fifth round after a comprehensive 4-0 victory in their fourth-round match, featuring a standout hat-trick performance and another goal from a young forward on target that night.
Other notable pairings from the draw include Wolverhampton Wanderers against Liverpool, and a Fulham versus Southampton tie that pits two Premier League sides against each other in the last 16.
Fixture logistics and remaining uncertainties
Most fifth-round ties will be played across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET). A couple of fixtures remain dependent on the outcome of postponed or rescheduled fourth-round ties. Sunderland, for example, will travel to face either Port Vale or Bristol City; that fourth-round replay had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and is now set for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2: 45 PM ET. West Ham await the winner of a postponed tie between Macclesfield and Brentford for their fifth-round opponent.
The draw has set up a compelling mix of mismatches and mouthwatering rematches, ensuring the FA Cup’s unique blend of drama, local passion, and top-level competition will again capture attention in March. Clubs, fans and neutrals will now turn their focus to ticketing, travel plans and squad selection as the weekend of March 7-8 approaches.
