The FA Cup currently has 14 rounds in total from start to finish.

Quick Scoop: FA Cup rounds

  • Total rounds: 14 (full competition).
  • Qualifying rounds: 6 early rounds for non-league/lower-tier clubs.
  • “Proper” rounds: 8 main rounds, from First Round Proper through to the Final.
  • Premier League clubs: Enter at the Third Round Proper , so they play 6 matches to win it (Third Round, Fourth, Fifth, Quarter-final, Semi-final, Final).

In simple terms: if a tiny club starts right at the beginning, it has to survive all 14 rounds to lift the FA Cup; a top-division side joins much later and has a shorter path.