Liverpool and Everton learn new FA Cup format as £33m deal agreed and new final date confirmed

Two significant changes to the FA Cup have been revealed, affecting Liverpool and Everton. The FA and Premier League have agreed on major alterations for next season's tournament, including the scrapping of replays from the first round proper.

This decision will likely hit lower league teams hard, as replays often generate crucial revenue for these clubs. However, the move to dedicate exclusive weekends to the FA Cup has been made, despite potential discontent from Premier League clubs due to calendar changes.

An excerpt from an FA statement reads: "The FA and the Premier League have reached a new agreement which will strengthen the Emirates FA Cup format with new and exclusive calendar windows.

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"The agreement, which is for a minimum of six years, starts next season. All rounds of the Emirates FA Cup will now be played on weekends, including the fifth round which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.

"The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football."

One of the significant updates to the football calendar will see the FA Cup final staged on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, with no other matches scheduled around that time to ensure all eyes are on the Wembley showdown. It's also been revealed that the English top flight is set to boost its grassroots funding to £133million annually, which is an increase of £33m.

This change is set to take effect from the 2025/26 season, with the intention that 'new money will provide significant support to a range of areas as the game continues to grow'. In light of this development, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future."

Bullingham further commented on the agreement between the FA and the Premier League. He added: "This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.

"The new schedule ensures the magic of the cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.

"We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women's and girls' game. All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support."