The FA Cup third round draw has set the stage for some enticing clashes, with Manchester United drawn to face Brighton & Hove Albion in one of four all-Premier League ties. The draw, conducted on Monday evening, December 8, 2025, also features Tottenham Hotspur against Aston Villa and Everton versus Sunderland as other standout all-Premier League encounters.
Manchester United will host Brighton at Old Trafford in a match that sees Ruben Amorim's side aiming to continue their strong form against the Seagulls, having already secured a 4-2 victory against them at home in the league earlier this season. This will be the ninth FA Cup meeting between the two clubs, with Manchester United having historical success in the competition against Brighton, including a memorable 4-0 victory in the 1983 final replay. The most recent cup encounter was in April 2023, when Manchester United secured a shootout victory after a goalless draw in the semi-final.
Tottenham's home match against Aston Villa is another highlight of the draw. Meanwhile, Everton will host Sunderland in another all-Premier League match. Newcastle United will also face Bournemouth in what is being called the 'Eddie Howe derby'.
Holders Crystal Palace, who defeated Manchester City in the previous final, will begin their title defence with an away tie against Macclesfield. Arsenal, the most successful team in the competition's history with 14 wins, will travel to face Portsmouth. Liverpool will host Barnsley. Chelsea will face Charlton Athletic in a London derby away from home. Manchester City will play Exeter City at the Etihad Stadium.
The FA Cup third-round ties are scheduled to be played across the weekend of January 10 and 11, 2026.
Full FA Cup Third Round Draw:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Shrewsbury Town
- Doncaster Rovers vs. Southampton
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa
- Port Vale vs. Fleetwood Town
- Preston North End vs. Wigan Athletic
- Ipswich Town vs. Blackpool
- Wrexham vs. Nottingham Forest
- Charlton Athletic vs. Chelsea
- Manchester City vs. Exeter City
- West Ham United vs. Queens Park Rangers
- Sheffield Wednesday vs. Brentford
- Fulham vs. Middlesbrough
- Everton vs. Sunderland
- Liverpool vs. Barnsley
- Burnley vs. Millwall
- Norwich City vs. Walsall
- Portsmouth vs. Arsenal
- Derby County vs. Leeds United
- Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion
- Salford City vs. Swindon Town
- Boreham Wood vs. Brackley Town or Burton Albion
- Grimsby Town vs. Weston-super-Mare
- Hull City vs. Blackburn Rovers
- Newcastle United vs. AFC Bournemouth
- Milton Keynes Dons vs. Oxford United
- Cheltenham Town vs. Leicester City
- Cambridge vs. Birmingham
- Bristol City vs. Watford
- Stoke City vs. Coventry City
- Macclesfield vs. Crystal Palace
- Manchester United vs. Brighton
- Sheffield United vs. Mansfield Town
