FA Cup and FA Trophy round dates confirmed for 2025/26

Lewis Hudson in the FA Cup defeat at Bishop's Stortford last season

The FA has released the round dates for Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy for the 2025/26 season. 

Hereford will enter the Emirates FA Cup in the second qualifying round on Saturday 13th September.

They will enter the Isuzu FA Trophy at the second round proper, with the first game in the competition being on Saturday 15th November.

The Bulls needed a replay in the FA Cup to get past lower-ranked Ilkeston Town, drawing 1-1 at Edgar Street before a 1-0 win in the replay, before then losing 3-2 at step three's Bishop's Stortford in the third qualifying round.

In the FA Trophy, they fell at the first hurdle with a 1-0 loss to step four's Brentwood Town, who went on to be crowned champions of the Isthmian League North.

After the match in November, which Paul Caddis was forced to watch from the stands after previously being sent off, assistant Adam Rooney said it was a dreadful day where they had let the club down.

On Thursday 26th June, the FA will confirm the clubs accepted into each competition, any exemptions and the prize funds.

Full list of FA Cup and FA Trophy round dates:

Emirates FA Cup: 

Extra Preliminary Round: Saturday 2 August 2025

Preliminary Round: Saturday 16 August 2025

First Round Qualifying: Saturday 30 August 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Saturday 13 September 2025 – Hereford enter the competition

Third Round Qualifying: Saturday 27 September 2025

Fourth Round Qualifying: Saturday 11 October 2025

First Round Proper: Saturday 1 November 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 6 December 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 10 January 2026

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 14 February 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 7 March 2026

Quarter Final: Saturday 4 April 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday 25 April 2026

The Final: Saturday 16 May 2026

Isuzu FA Trophy:

Preliminary Round: Saturday 23 August 2025

First Round Qualifying: Saturday 6 September 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Saturday 20 September 2025

Third Round Qualifying: Saturday 4 October 2025

First Round Proper: Saturday 25 October 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 15 November 2025 – Hereford enter the competition

Third Round Proper: Saturday 13 December 2025

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 10 January 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 31 January 2026

Sixth Round Proper: Saturday 28 February 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday 28 March 2026

The Final: Sunday 17 May 2026