FA Cup third round draw will see 44 new teams take part (Image: Getty)
The FA Cup Third Round remains one of the most anticipated events in the football calendar, as millions tune in around the world to watch the world's oldest competition.
After six preliminary qualifying rounds and two rounds of actual competition, the 144th edition of the third round finally arrives. In the third round, 20 Premier League teams will take part alongside 24 Championship clubs to join teams from the bottom of the football pyramid. And that could result in some “David vs. Goliath” matches being released.
Current holders Manchester United are hoping to become the first team in a decade to retain the competition and Ruben Amorim inherits a team that lifted the trophy after securing a superb 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City at Wembley ahead of 85,000 spectators. in May.
Express sport has the details of everything you need to know ahead of the FA Cup third round draw.
When will the FA Cup third round draw take place?
The draw for the third round will take place on Monday, December 2, 2024. The time has not yet been confirmed but BBC Two has scheduled television coverage to begin at 7 p.m. (GMT).
The 32 matches of the third round will be played on the weekend of January 10 and 11, 2025.
Participation and success in the FA Cup can be relatively lucrative for teams, particularly those in lower divisions. The loser of the third round of the draw will win £25,000.
Victory will earn them a whopping £115,000, which can often prove to be a lifeline for non-league clubs with small followings. And for the winners of the competition, a £2 million prize pool awaits when the final is played at Wembley in May 2025.
Man Utd lifted the trophy in 2023-24 after beating Man City 2-1 in the final (Image: Getty)
TV channel and how to watch the FA Cup draw
In the UK, broadcast rights are currently shared between the BBC and ITV, with competition remaining on free-to-air television.
The BBC is showing 18 matches live this season, while ITV is committed to showing at least 20 matches live. The draw will be shown live during the BBC's coverage of the second round match between Kettering Town and Doncaster Rovers on Sunday.
Viewers in the UK who want to stream the matches on their mobile phone, tablet, console or laptop can use the BBC iPlayer or the ITV X service to stream the matches.
The FA Cup will be broadcast live on BBC and ITV (Image: Getty)
The full FA Cup second round schedule
Friday November 29
Harrogate Town v Gainsborough Trinity (BBC Two/iPlayer)
Saturday November 30
Wealdstone v Wycombe Wanderers (ITV1/ITVX)
Salford City v Cheltenham Town
Walsall v Charlton Athletic
Exeter City v Chesterfield
Leyton Orient v Oldham Athletic
Barnsley v Bristol Rovers
Accrington Stanley v Swindon Town
Crawley Town v Lincoln City
Stevenage v Mansfield Town
Peterborough United v Notts County
Stockport County v Brackley Town
Morecambe v Bradford City
Cambridge United v Wigan Athletic
Wimbledon v Dagenham & Redbridge (ITVX)
Sunday December 1st
Kettering Town v Doncaster Rovers (BBC Two/iPlayer)
Blackpool v Birmingham City
Burton Albion v Tamworth
Reading against Harborough Town
Solihull Moors v Bromley (ITV1/ITVX)
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1980757/FA-Cup-third-round-draw-time-start-time-date-TV-channel