Which National League sides are still in the FA Cup?

The FA Cup offers National League sides a unique opportunity to face some of the strongest teams in English football, with Premier League and Championship outfits entering the competition in the third round.

Not only are the playing rewards substantial, but the FA Cup offers Non-League clubs enticing financial streams, including prize money, broadcast fees and increased matchday revenue. The second round of the competition is set to commence the weekend of December 6/7.

National League clubs entered the competition in the fourth round of qualifying, which is one round before the first round proper. Many of the fifth-tier sides overcame higher opposition in the first round of the 2025-26 competition, with Carlisle United, Gateshead, Boreham Wood and Brackley Town all defeating EFL outfits.

Lincoln City are the most successful National League club in FA Cup history, since the division’s inception in 1979. The Imps reached the quarter-finals of the competition during the 2016-17 season by defeating Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley before falling to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Six National League sides remain in this year’s edition, with several National League North and South teams also going strong, but can any of them emulate Lincoln’s iconic 16-17 run?

National League sides in the FA Cup 2nd round

Carlisle United

National League title contenders Carlisle United pulled off one of the upsets of the FA Cup first round by edging out League One side Reading 3-2 after extra time.

Remarkably, Mark Hughes' men entered the final minutes of the game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium two goals down, only to snatch two stoppage-time goals through Regan Lilley. Lilley then completed his hat-trick in the fourth minute of extra time to stun the Royals on their own turf.

The Blues have been rewarded with a trip to Blackpool, who are struggling in League One, having recently replaced the sacked Steve Bruce with Ian Evatt as manager.

Getty Images

Gateshead

Gateshead produced one of the shocks of the first round, having defeated League One outfit AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at The Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Kain Adom and Fenton John’s goals in either half guided The Heed to an unlikely victory, with the two teams separated by two tiers and 57 places at kick-off.

Alun Armstrong’s men will face League Two high-flyers Walsall at the Gateshead International Stadium in the second round, with the carrot of a potential Premier League opponent on the horizon.

@GatesheadFC

Sutton United

Sutton United produced one of the greatest FA Cup runs in the history of any National League side by reaching the fifth round in 16-17, and are vying to replicate that feat this campaign.

The U’s narrowly overcame National League North outfit AFC Telford United in the first round with a 2-1 win courtesy of strikes from David Ogbonna and Ashley Nadesan.

Chris Agutter’s side have been handed another home tie in the second round and will welcome League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town to The VBS Community Stadium, with the clash to be aired by the BBC.

Wealdstone

Wealdstone are the only National League team to be given an away fixture in round two and will travel to Carabao Cup giant killers Grimsby Town.

The Stones edged out division rivals Southend United 1-0 at Grosvenor Vale, with Olufela Olomola bagging the only goal of the game after The Shrimpers’ Ben Goodliffe was given a straight red card in the 17th minute.

If Sam Cox’s side can overcome Grimsby to reach the third round, then they would equal their best-ever run in the competition.

PA

Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood are amongst the early-season promotion hopefuls in the National League, and they translated their admirable form into the FA Cup by thrashing League Two side Crawley Town 3-0 in round one.

Matt Rush, Zak Brunt and Abdul Abdulmalik were on target at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium in front of a crowd of 1,536 supporters - their second-highest attendance of the campaign.

In the second round, Luke Garrard’s team will host League Two outfit Newport County, who squeezed past Gillingham on penalties, with the encounter to be televised by the BBC.

Boreham Wood

Brackley Town

Brackley Town reached the second round of the FA Cup for only the fourth time in their history by overcoming League Two promotion hopefuls Notts County in round one.

In one of the ties of the first round, The Saints came from behind to net a late equaliser to square the game at 2-2 before stealing a famous 4-3 win on penalties.

The National League team will entertain League One outfit Burton Albion in the second round as they strive to reach round three for the first time in their 135-year history.

National League North & South sides in the FA Cup second round

Almost as many National League North & South clubs reached the second round of the FA Cup as they aim to lock horns with England’s elite in the third round.

Buxton overcame Isthmian League side Chatham Town 2-1 after extra time, while Macclesfield thumped AFC Totton 6-3. The Bucks travel to League Two’s Cheltenham Town, and The Silkmen head to National League South’s Slough Town, who defeated Altrincham 2-1 in round one.

The remaining two National League South clubs face off in the second round, with Chelmsford City to host Weston-super-Mare. The Clarets trounced Braintree Town 4-1 at Melbourne Stadium, while The Seagulls came from a goal down to topple Aldershot Town 2-1 after extra time.

How to watch The National League exclusively on DAZN

You can watch the whole of the 2025-26 season with a National League TV DAZN subscription at a special offer price of £79.99! 

Every game in the National League, and selected matches in National League North and National League South, is available on DAZN, either live and/or on-demand*. That's over 600 games all in one place.

NLTV on DAZN is available on any device, including Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and, for viewers in the UK, your Sky box.

If you do not have the App yet, follow these instructions...

• Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
• On a laptop or PC, visit www.DAZN.com/home
• Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
• Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google or Facebook options
• You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf and FIFA+
• Then find the National League page and click 'buy now'

For more information and to sign up, head here now.

*3pm Saturday kick-offs are subject to TV blackout restrictions, but will be available to watch later on Saturday on-demand.