FA Cup fifth round decided as fa cup draw throws up Mansfield v Arsenal, Wrexham v Chelsea and Man City at Newcastle
The fifth round of the FA Cup lands a mix of David-versus-Goliath ties and replayed top-flight clashes after the latest draw. League One Mansfield Town will host Arsenal, Wrexham are at home to Chelsea, and Manchester City travel to Newcastle — all fixtures scheduled for the weekend of March 7-8 (ET).
Giant-killing storylines and Mansfield’s moment
Mansfield’s reward for an improbable fourth-round win is a historic home tie. The Stags reached the fifth round for the first time since 1975 after overturning Premier League Burnley with a 2-1 comeback at Turf Moor. That victory sets up a high-profile visit from Arsenal, who have lifted the trophy 14 times, and hands Mansfield a rare national spotlight.
That clash epitomises why the competition captivates: a lower-league club riding momentum against elite opposition on neutral terms no longer applies when a giant visits a traditional cup underdog. The fixture will bring major attention to Mansfield’s stadium and finances, and supporters can expect a fierce, sell-out atmosphere when the game is played on the March 7-8 weekend (ET).
Wrexham, Hollywood reactions and big Premier League ties
Wrexham’s reward for progressing to the fifth round is a home meeting with Chelsea at the Racecourse Ground. The club’s celebrity co-owner reacted with surprise and delight when the pairing was revealed, exclaiming, “Wait, wait, wait... we’re home to Chelsea?” before celebrating on camera with his friend. Another supporter nearby added: “That’s what you wanted!”
The fixture will be a major occasion for the club, which has not lifted the tournament and last reached this stage in 1997. Hosting Chelsea is expected to bring significant interest from fans and neutrals alike on the March 7-8 weekend (ET).
Meanwhile, one of the headline fifth-round fixtures sees Manchester City travel to Newcastle — a repeat of one of this season’s League Cup semi-finals. That tie promises to be another heavyweight showdown between two Premier League contenders and is likely to be watched closely for its potential impact across both domestic competitions.
Other ties, postponements and scheduling notes
There are a number of intriguing permutations elsewhere in the draw. Sunderland will face either Port Vale or Bristol City — that fourth-round meeting had been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch and was rescheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 2: 45 PM ET. The winner will make the trip to Sunderland for a fifth-round encounter that could provide another cup storyline for the north-east.
Championship promotion hopefuls Wrexham’s next opponent and other ties mean the weekend of March 7-8 (ET) will be packed with knockout drama. Clubs and supporters are already preparing ticket and travel plans while broadcasters and sponsors finalise coverage schedules for the fifth-round weekend.
For the smaller clubs drawn against elite opponents, the tie presents both a sporting challenge and a financial opportunity. Home gates, hospitality packages and local economic boosts are all part of the modern cup equation, and a strong showing can galvanise a club’s season.
As preparations continue, clubs will balance cup ambitions with league priorities, and managers will face selection dilemmas — do they field full-strength sides to chase silverware or rotate to protect league campaigns? The answers will become clearer as matchweek approaches and teams finalise their squads for these high-stakes fixtures.
The FA Cup’s famed unpredictability ensures the fifth round will deliver must-see moments, whether it’s a lower-league side chasing an upset, a star-studded clash between top clubs, or an emotionally charged home tie in front of passionate fans. All ties are set for the weekend of March 7-8 (ET), with one postponed fourth-round replay scheduled on Tuesday, March 3 at 2: 45 PM ET.
