The race for the 2026/27 Emirates FA Cup continues to gather momentum after the second-round fixtures were confirmed, setting up 16 intriguing encounters as clubs battle for places in the third round of England’s oldest domestic cup competition.
The draw, conducted on Monday, November 9, has produced several interesting match-ups, with Leicester City facing a trip to Dover Athletic, Luton Town travelling to AFC Fylde and Notts County preparing for an away encounter against Guiseley AFC.
The second-round matches are scheduled for Saturday, December 5, with all 16 fixtures currently listed for a 3pm kick-off in the United Kingdom, corresponding to 4pm Nigerian time.
Among the notable ties, Leicester City will travel to Dover Athletic as the Foxes seek to progress further in a competition that has historically provided opportunities for clubs from lower divisions to produce memorable upsets against established teams.
Luton Town also face a potentially tricky assignment away to AFC Fylde, while Notts County will visit Guiseley AFC in another encounter that could provide an opportunity for a lower-league side to make headlines.
Elsewhere, Wigan Athletic will welcome Barnsley in one of the more intriguing all-league encounters, while Exeter City host Stevenage in a contest between two sides hoping to secure their passage into the next round.
Plymouth Argyle will travel to Crewe Alexandra, although their opponents’ final identity will depend on the outcome of the outstanding first-round encounter between Plymouth Parkway and Berkhamsted. The winner of that tie will face Barnet in the second round.
Chesterfield will take on Cheltenham Town, while York City host Carlisle United in another fixture expected to attract attention.
Other confirmed encounters include Barrow against Kidderminster Harriers, Colchester United against Mansfield Town and Rochdale against Newport County.
Dover Athletic’s meeting with Leicester City and AFC Fylde’s clash with Luton Town stand out as particularly interesting opportunities for potential giant-killing stories, underlining the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup.
The complete second-round fixture list is as follows:
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Chesterfield vs Cheltenham Town
Guiseley AFC vs Notts County
Wigan Athletic vs Barnsley
Exeter City vs Stevenage
Plymouth Parkway/Berkhamsted vs Barnet
York City vs Carlisle United
Crewe Alexandra vs Plymouth Argyle
AFC Fylde vs Luton Town
Barrow vs Kidderminster Harriers
Colchester United vs Mansfield Town
Rochdale vs Newport County
Dover Athletic vs Leicester City
Port Vale vs Leyton Orient
Grimsby Town vs Oldham Athletic
Shrewsbury Town vs Burton Albion
Salisbury vs Blackpool
All fixtures are currently scheduled for 3pm GMT (4pm Nigerian time), although kick-off times and dates remain subject to possible changes for television broadcasting and other scheduling requirements.
The second round will reduce the number of remaining clubs from 84 to 64, with the successful teams moving one step closer to the third round, where Premier League and Championship clubs traditionally enter the competition.
The third-round ties are scheduled for January 9, 2027, when the prospect of heavyweight encounters and potential giant-killings will add another layer of excitement to the tournament.
The 2026/27 FA Cup final is scheduled for May 22, 2027, at Wembley Stadium, where the remaining clubs will ultimately compete for one of English football’s most prestigious trophies.
