fa cup draw: Mansfield to host Arsenal as Wrexham land Chelsea and City head to Newcastle
The fifth-round fa cup draw has produced a mix of David-vs-Goliath ties and heavyweight Premier League encounters, with League One Mansfield Town handed a home date with Arsenal and Wrexham set to welcome Chelsea at the Racecourse Ground. The ties are scheduled across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET).
Shock, history and big nights for smaller clubs
Mansfield’s reward for a dramatic fourth-round comeback at Turf Moor — a 2-1 victory over struggling Premier League Burnley — is a blockbuster home tie with 14-time winners Arsenal. The Stags have not reached the fifth round since 1975, making this one of the competition’s more compelling underdog narratives. The prospect of a full House at Field Mill and a televised clash will be a landmark occasion for the League One side and their supporters.
Wrexham will host Chelsea in another high-profile tie. The match has already generated extra buzz off the pitch after club co-owner Ryan Reynolds reacted with disbelief and delight when the draw was revealed, exclaiming, "Wait, wait, wait... we're home to Chelsea?" alongside friend Hugh Jackman. The fixture marks a rare and coveted opportunity for the Championship club to test themselves against top-flight opposition on home soil, and it will be watched closely by neutrals and fans alike.
Premier League rematches and postponed ties
Not all ties pair minnows with giants. Manchester City will travel to Newcastle United in a repeat of one of this season’s League Cup semi-finals, guaranteeing another meeting between two clubs currently occupying the upper reaches of the top flight. Wolverhampton Wanderers were drawn against Liverpool, another all-Premier League showdown that promises top-level intensity.
Several ties carry a note of uncertainty thanks to earlier disruptions. Sunderland’s fifth-round opponent will be either Port Vale or Bristol City; that fourth-round fixture was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch and is rescheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2: 45 PM ET. The winner will take an away trip to Sunderland, meaning the Black Cats could face a second successive away match in the cup if they progress.
Fixture list, stakes and what to watch
The preliminary lineup from the draw sets up intriguing matchups across the weekend of March 7-8 (ET): Mansfield Town vs Arsenal; Wrexham vs Chelsea; Manchester City vs Newcastle United; Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool; Leeds United vs Norwich City; Fulham vs Southampton; West Ham United vs either Macclesfield or Brentford; and Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland, pending the postponed tie.
For the big clubs, the fifth round represents another hurdle in a congested schedule — a test of squad depth and focus amid league and European commitments. For lower-league sides, these ties are chances for financial windfalls, national attention and memorable nights that can define a season. Expect managers to weigh rotation against ambition, and supporters to treat every draw as a potential classic.
All eyes will now turn to ticket releases, kick-off confirmations and how managers set up their teams for what promises to be a compelling weekend of cup football in early March. The randomness of the draw has delivered both glamour ties and genuine cup romance — exactly why this competition remains a highlight of the football calendar.
