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When is the FA Cup third-round draw? Date, TV channel and start time

The FA Cup third round remains one of the most highly-anticipated events of the football calendar as millions tune in globally to watch the oldest competition in the world.

After six preliminary qualifying rounds and two rounds of the competition proper, the 144th edition of the third round is finally upon us. In the third round, 20 Premier League teams will enter along with 24 clubs from the Championship to join the teams from lower down the football pyramid. And it could result in some 'David vs Goliath' fixtures being drawn out of the hat.

Current holders Manchester United will be hoping to become the first team in a decade to retain the competition and Ruben Amorim inherits a team that won the trophy after pulling off a stunning 2-1 victory over their rivals Manchester City at Wembley in front of 85,000 spectators in May.

Express Sport has the details of everything you need to know ahead of the FA Cup third round draw.

When is the FA Cup third-round draw?

The third round draw will take place on Monday, December 2, 2024. A time is yet to be confirmed but BBC Two has scheduled TV coverage to start at 7pm (GMT).

All 32 of the third-round fixtures will be played on the weekend of January 10-11, 2025.

Participation and success in the FA Cup can be relatively lucrative for teams, particularly those from the lower divisions. The loser in the third round of the draw stands to take £25,000 away.

Victory will see them earn a whopping £115,000, which can often prove to be a lifesaver for non-league clubs with a small following. And for the winners of the competition, a £2million prize pot awaits when the final is played at Wembley in May 2025.

TV channel and how to watch the FA Cup draw

In the United Kingdom, broadcasting rights are currently shared between the BBC and ITV as the competition remains on free-to-air television.

The BBC are showing 18 live games this season, while ITV are committed to broadcasting at least 20 live matches. The draw will be shown live during BBC's coverage of the second-round tie between Kettering Town vs Doncaster Rovers on Sunday.

Viewers located in the UK who want to stream the matches on their mobile phone device, tablet, console or laptop can use BBC's iPlayer or the ITV X service to stream matches.

FA Cup second round fixtures in full

Friday, November 29

Harrogate Town vs Gainsborough Trinity (BBC Two / iPlayer)

Saturday, November 30

Wealdstone vs Wycombe Wanderers (ITV1 / ITVX)

Salford City vs Cheltenham Town

Walsall vs Charlton Athletic

Exeter City vs Chesterfield

Leyton Orient vs Oldham Athletic

Barnsley vs Bristol Rovers

Accrington Stanley vs Swindon Town

Crawley Town vs Lincoln City

Stevenage vs Mansfield Town

Peterborough United vs Notts County

Stockport County vs Brackley Town

Morecambe vs Bradford City

Cambridge United vs Wigan Athletic

Wimbledon vs Dagenham & Redbridge (ITVX)

Sunday, December 1

Kettering Town vs Doncaster Rovers (BBC Two / iPlayer)

Blackpool vs Birmingham City

Burton Albion vs Tamworth

Reading vs Harborough Town

Solihull Moors vs Bromley (ITV1 / ITVX)

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