Sunderland's FA Cup third round draw explained with key dates and prize money details
Everything you need to know about the FA Cup third round draw with Sunderland set to enter the competition
The draw for the Emirates FA Cup third round will take place on Monday, with Premier League and Championship clubs entering the competition.
The second round fixtures are being completed over the weekend, starting with Salford City against Leyton Orient on Friday night, before the final tie sees Brackley Town face Burton Albion on Monday. The draw is expected shortly before kick-off in that game.
The FA has confirmed the 2025-26 draw is scheduled for around 18:45 GMT, with TNT Sports 1 broadcasting it live. Fans will also be able to watch through Discovery Plus, as well as free streams on social media and YouTube. Sunderland are ball number 37.
When will the FA Cup third round be played?
Third round games are planned for around the weekend of Saturday 10 January 2026, with fixtures likely spread from Thursday to Monday once television selections are made.
FA Cup schedule for the remainder of the competition:
- Third round: Saturday 10 January 2026
- Fourth round: Saturday 14 February 2026
- Fifth round: Saturday 7 March 2026
- Quarter finals: Saturday 4 April 2026
- Semi finals: Saturday 25 April 2026
- Final: Saturday 16 May 2026
How much prize money is on offer and what could Sunderland earn?
The further a club progresses, the greater the prize money available. Payments from the FA fund increase sharply once the third round begins.
- Third round winners: £121,500
- Third round losers: £26,500
- Fourth round winners: £127,000
- Fifth round winners: £238,500
- Quarter-final winners: £477,000
- Semi-final winners: £1,060,000
- Semi-final losers: £530,000
- Final runners up: £1,060,000
- Final winners: £2,120,000
Earlier rounds also include financial rewards, stretching from £1,125 for extra preliminary winners up to £79,500 for second round proper winners. For Sunderland, entering at this stage means a victory in the third round alone would bank £121,500 before any broadcast revenue or gate receipts are considered.
Could Sunderland draw Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round?
Yes. As Premier League clubs, Sunderland and Newcastle both enter the competition at the third round stage, and with no seeding or restrictions in place, the two sides can be drawn against each other. A Wear-Tyne derby is entirely possible if both clubs are in the hat, adding extra intrigue to Monday night’s draw.
Sunderland’s storied history in the FA Cup
Sunderland have a proud and storied relationship with the FA Cup, stretching back to the earliest decades of the competition. The club first lifted the trophy in 1937, beating Preston North End 3-1 at Wembley thanks to goals from Bobby Gurney, Raich Carter and Eddie Burbanks. It was the first time the Cup final was broadcast live on television. That victory remains one of the most iconic moments in Sunderland’s history, with Carter later immortalised as one of the club’s greatest sons.
The Black Cats returned to Wembley in 1973 for what is widely considered the most famous FA Cup upset of all time. Bob Stokoe’s Second Division Sunderland stunned Don Revie’s Leeds United, then one of Europe’s strongest sides, with Ian Porterfield’s volley and Jimmy Montgomery’s unforgettable double save sealing a 1-0 win. That triumph became woven into Wearside folklore and remains a defining moment in English football.
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In the years since, Sunderland have reached the final once more, losing to Liverpool in 1992 despite a spirited run. Quarter-final appearances have come and gone, including during the Premier League era, but the FA Cup has continued to carry weight on Wearside. A new Premier League chapter offers another chance to write history.
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