FA Cup Third Round Tickets

The world’s oldest cup competition, currently titled Emirates FA Cup for sponsorship reasons, is not only much-beloved in the UK but is followed closely all over the world. The FA Cup is truly a global phenomenon, and that’s reflected in the level of interest in FA Cup tickets, from the early rounds all the way through to the FA Cup Final.

The FA Cup Third Round

The FA Cup Third Round is a pivotal point of the competition as it’s when teams from both the Premier League and the EFL Championship join the fun, with giant-killing ties and major top-tier tussles the order of the day.

Why Buy FA Cup Third Round Tickets via SeatPick?

SeatPick is the world leader when it comes to online ticketing, offering football fans the best chance at not only securing tickets for their chosen game but also aiding their pursuit of the best deals available.

• Compare FA Cup tickets from multiple trusted sites in one place, so fans can quickly see the best deals available.
• Get better value on FA Cup seats by viewing a wide range of prices and sellers side by side.
• Secure seats together for mates or family easily, with group-friendly listings that prioritise neighbouring seats.
• Buy FA Cup tickets with peace of mind thanks to vetted sellers and strong money-back guarantees on every order.
• Access FA Cup games without club memberships or local address requirements, making it ideal for international and neutral fans.

Fans who enjoy knockout football can also browse Champions League tickets and Carabao Cup tickets for more cup drama across the season.

FA Cup History - Third Round

The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short, was first competed for in 1871, and has maintained its standing as one of the biggest cup competitions in world football ever since.

Prior to the Third Round of the FA Cup, teams from the lower leagues and the non-league battle it out for a chance to go toe-to-toe with the big guns. As well as being an opportunity to face off against major outfits, these games also represent the chance to make huge sums of money.

The FA Cup Third Round is one of the most iconic stages in English football, marking the entry of clubs from the top two divisions into the competition. This structure dates back to the 1925–26 season, when the Football League Third Division was expanded, and the FA Cup format was adjusted to accommodate more teams. From that point on, the Third Round became the stage for the strongest clubs to join, creating the potential for high-profile matchups and major upsets.

Played annually, these FA Cup fixtures take place in early January, and the Third Round quickly developed a reputation for “giant killings,” where smaller clubs defeat more established opponents. One of the most famous examples came in 1972, when Hereford United beat Newcastle United, while Sutton United’s 2–1 victory over Coventry City in 1989 remains another standout moment.

The introduction of live television broadcasts in the 1960s and 1970s further increased the round’s prominence, bringing these dramatic fixtures to a national audience. Over time, the Third Round has become deeply embedded in English football culture, blending elite competition with grassroots participation.

Despite changes in the modern game, the FA Cup Third Round continues to represent tradition, unpredictability, and the enduring appeal of knockout football. Fans can follow the later stages with FA Cup Semi Final tickets and FA Cup Final tickets.

FA Cup Third Round - Memorable Matches

The FA Cup Third Round has cooked up hundreds of incredible clashes. Here’s a handful of relatively recent crackers!

• Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal, 1992 – Then Fourth-tier Wrexham stunned reigning English champions Arsenal at the Racecourse Ground, with 37-year-old Mickey Thomas’s thunderbolt free-kick and Steve Watkin’s late winner becoming true Cup folklore.
• Cardiff City 2-1 Leeds United, 2002 – Third-tier Cardiff dumped Premier League leaders and recent Champions League semi-finalists Leeds out of the Cup, a shock that seemed to spark Leeds’ dramatic loss of form that season.
• Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Everton, 2003 – Shrewsbury, 80 league places below their opponents and managed by former Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe, knocked out David Moyes’ Everton thanks to a Nigel Jemson brace, including an 88th-minute header.
• Stevenage 3-1 Newcastle United, 2011 – League Two Stevenage produced a classic modern giant-killing by overpowering Premier League Newcastle 3–1, one of the standout lower-league wins of the Premier League era.
• Chelsea 3-5 Manchester United, 1998 – In a clash of reigning FA Cup holders versus league champions at Stamford Bridge, United raced into a 5–0 lead before Chelsea’s late three-goal flurry turned it into an eight-goal classic remembered for its wild momentum swings.

FA Cup Third Round Tickets - Guide

As games in the FA Cup Third Round attract a lot of attention, we suggest fans move fast to secure tickets to any game they wish to attend. This is even more urgent when it comes to lower division teams that are hosting a Premier League team, when there is even less ticketing inventory.

By shopping via SeatPick, you will always find cheap FA Cup tickets, and you’ll have the additional peace of mind that comes from the 100% purchase guarantee that backs all tickets bought via our platform.

Fans trying to get ahead of the game will find tickets available for every upcoming FA Cup match at SeatPick from the very moment they are drawn, helping fans to stay ahead of the curve. 747 teams start the adventure with the First Round proper kicking off in October/November, with all clubs competing for FA Cup glory.

So whether it’s a chance to see your team compete at Wembley Stadium, in the semi-finals or FA Cup Final, or a match in the early rounds, SeatPick has you covered.

Our platform should always be your first destination for football tickets, from the World Cup to the FA Cup and all global events in between. Fans can browse everything from FA Cup First Round tickets and Wembley Stadium tickets to World Cup tickets and England national team tickets.