fa cup draw: League One Mansfield to host Arsenal as Man City head to Newcastle
The FA Cup fifth-round draw has produced a mixture of glamour ties and intriguing tests for lower-league sides, with League One Mansfield Town handed a home tie against 14-time winners Arsenal and Manchester City drawn to visit Newcastle United. The fixtures are due to be played across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET).
Key matchups and talking points
Mansfield’s reward for a dramatic fourth-round win over Premier League Burnley is a meeting with one of the competition’s most decorated clubs. The Stags progressed with a memorable second-half comeback at Turf Moor and will contest the fifth round for the first time since 1975, a milestone that has captured attention across the tournament.
One of the standout pairings pits Manchester City away at Newcastle, a repeat of a League Cup semi-final clash from earlier in the season. That tie promises a high-intensity showdown between two top-four contenders and carries the familiar stakes of cup football where form can be reshaped by momentum and set-piece moments.
Wrexham will host Chelsea, setting up a compelling meeting between an emergent Championship side and an eight-time FA Cup winner. Wrexham’s rise back up the leagues has been rapid, and they will present both a sporting challenge and a significant occasion for fans when the two clubs meet in early March.
Other ties of note include Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Liverpool, Leeds United against Norwich City, and Fulham meeting Southampton. Sunderland face a further away trip but their exact opponent will be decided by a postponed fourth-round fixture between Port Vale and Bristol City, which was rearranged for Tuesday, March 3 at 2: 45 PM ET.
Schedule, context and implications
All fifth-round ties are pencilled in for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET). The rearranged fourth-round match involving Port Vale and Bristol City takes place on Tuesday, March 3 at 2: 45 PM ET, with the winner set to travel to Sunderland for a subsequent fifth-round meeting.
For lower-league sides such as Mansfield and Wrexham, these fixtures offer both financial reward and a chance to test themselves against elite opposition. A home tie against Arsenal can galvanize a club and its supporters, while Wrexham hosting a major club will be a landmark event in their recent ascent through the divisions.
From the Premier League perspective, managers will weigh squad rotation against the desire to progress. Cup runs can add fixture congestion but also create momentum that spills into league campaigns. For top clubs drawn away to motivated lower-league teams, the danger of an upset is genuine and has shaped the narrative of cup football for generations.
What to watch and next steps
Expect tactics that reflect the unique nature of cup ties: disciplined defensive setups from underdogs, selective use of star players by big clubs, and an emphasis on set-pieces and transitional moments. Ticketing and kick-off information will be confirmed by clubs in the coming days, and supporters should monitor their club communications for details on sales and stadium arrangements.
The fifth round promises compelling storylines and the kind of drama that has defined the competition for decades. Whether it is a small-town side hosting a football giant or two elite clubs renewing a rivalry, the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 should deliver memorable matches.
