What happens if a FA Cup game ends in a tie?

‘The magic of the FA Cup.’ they say. The giant-killing minnows making a name for themselves for a few days and a bucket of cash for the club. That’s what it’s all about, right? Yes, that is indeed an important aspect of the world’s oldest national football tournament and one that generates that much-needed revenue across the English pyramid of lower leagues.

In terms of fairytale champions coming from those lower down the food chain, the truth over recent years is that the Premier League big boys dominate. Reigning champions Manchester City have been preceded by the likes of Liverpool, Leicester, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Man Utd. The last time a team not from the top flight lifted the coveted trophy was back in 2008 when Portsmouth beat fellow ‘outsiders’ Cardiff City in the final. Before that, it was in 1980!

What are the FA Cup replay rules?

Coming into the 2023/24 FA Cup, we find ourselves in a position where games that finish level after regulation time are decided differently depending on when they happen. For the earlier rounds, up to and including the fourth round, games that are tied go to a replay at the opposing team’s ground. The first game’s venue having been decided by the draw.

From the fifth round onwards this year - something that has been in force since 2018 following pressure from the big clubs - games are decided by extra-time and then, if needed, a penalty shootout.

The great thing about the replays, clearly not favoured by those teams in European competition and a busier-than-average schedule (”that’s why you have a big squad,” others shout), is that it can give an extra chance to the smaller teams to bring in more income.

The gap is growing from top to bottom, but the FA Cup dreams can be had, at least for a while, for fans all over the country.