when will 5th round fa cup be played

FA Cup 5th Round 2025-26 Schedule
The 5th round of the Emirates FA Cup for the 2025-26 season is set for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026, following the draw on February 16. Official confirmation from The FA notes eight ties, with exact match times and venues to be finalized after club, broadcaster, and authority discussions. Winning teams earn £238,500 from the prize fund.

Key Draw Highlights
The draw, conducted by Joe Cole and Karen Carney before Macclesfield Town vs. Brentford, produced intriguing matchups like:

• Fulham v Southampton
• Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland

Other sources mention captivating ties such as Chelsea vs. Wrexham, Newcastle vs. Manchester City, and Arsenal at Mansfield, blending Premier League giants with underdogs. No replays occur; extra time and penalties decide outcomes, heightening the drama.

Format and Stakes

• Single-leg ties only : Removes replays from this stage, pushing teams to deliver in one high-pressure game.

• VAR introduction : Debuts here, influencing decisions and adding modern edge to the historic competition.

• Broadcast : Expect coverage on BBC, TNT Sports (UK), and ESPN (USA), building on fourth-round patterns.

This round captures the FA Cup's magic—giants like Manchester City facing potential minnows, echoing past upsets that fuel fan stories across forums. Trending discussions highlight family viewings and nostalgia from past draws.

TL;DR
5th round matches: Weekend of March 7-8, 2026. Draw done Feb 16; full schedule pending.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.