FA Ends Replays to Alleviate Fixture Congestion in Football
- The Football Association of England announced the removal of replays from the FA Cup's first round in April 2023.
- To offset the financial impact on clubs, an additional £2.44 million in prize money has been allocated for the first three rounds.
- This change reflects the FA's efforts to adapt to fixture congestion while supporting clubs financially.
In April 2023, the Football Association (FA) of England announced a significant change to the FA Cup format by eliminating replays from the first round proper onwards. This decision was made in response to increasing fixture congestion, which has been exacerbated by the expansion of international tournaments like UEFA's competitions. The FA recognized that the removal of replays would impact clubs financially, as replays traditionally generated additional revenue. To mitigate this loss, the FA introduced an extra £2.44 million in prize money for the first three rounds of the current season's FA Cup. This increase in funding aims to support clubs that would otherwise benefit from the revenue generated by replays. The prize pot for the second round has been raised to £1.9 million, with winners now receiving £75,000, an increase from the previous £67,000. The FA's professional game board, which includes representatives from both the EFL and Premier League, reached this agreement to ensure that clubs are compensated fairly. EFL clubs have been informed of these changes, and the FA plans to confirm the details to all participating clubs shortly. This initiative reflects the FA's commitment to adapting the competition to modern challenges while still supporting the clubs involved.