FA official announcement confirms major shake-up as Newcastle United, Aston Villa & West Ham impacted

Newcastle United will no longer have to play in FA Cup replays after it was announced they will be scrapped from Round One onwards next season.

The FA and the Premier League have reached a new agreement which they say will “strengthen the FA Cup format with new and exclusive calendar windows.”

It will see all FA Cup fixtures played on weekends, with the fourth, fifth and quarter-finals weekend exclusive of Premier League matches. Meanwhile, the final at Wembley will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on a Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day.

The biggest shake up is the decision to scrap replays from the first round proper in what has sparked an angry reaction from fans of non-league clubs. The current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘Competition Proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.

Although there are concerns over how non-league clubs will be impacted financially, it’s claimed the Premier League has increased funding to the football pyramid, providing up to an additional £33million for grassroots football on top of the £100m it currently gives to good causes each season.

The league will also provide up to £133mi per season from the 2025-26 season, maintaining existing commitments and enhancing support to key areas of the game. The Premier League currently gives away £1.6 billion every three years – 16 per cent of its total revenues – to all levels of men’s and women’s football, and this new money will provide significant support to a range of areas as the game continues to grow.

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.

"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."

Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, added: "The Premier League is proud of the investment it provides to all levels of the game and this new agreement with the FA will see us enhance our support into grassroots football. This will improve facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country, through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.

"Throughout our discussions, both parties have been committed to enhancing the scheduling of the Emirates FA Cup, a hugely important domestic competition with a storied history.

"The FA and the Premier League have worked in partnership to deliver more exclusive weekends without compromising the excitement of knockout football and this has been achieved at the same time as allowing us to ease fixture congestion generally."