THE FA Cup is the oldest and most renowned annual knockout competition in world football.
It gives lower League teams a chance to fight Premier League giants for a hallowed trophy and a large cash prize.
The prize money for the FA Cup has been revealed after a major change to the rules
However, unlike in years gone by, this year’s FA Cup will see one massive rule change.
A surprising new six-year agreement between the Football Association (FA) and the Premier League, means that Cup replays will be SCRAPPED.
That does mean that for the first time third round losers will earn prize money.
Last season, the competition was won by Manchester United, as the Red Devils unexpectedly defeated rivals Manchester City 2-1.
When is the FA Cup third round?
The FA Cup third round takes place this weekend, with a hectic 32 matches across four intense days of football.
Starting with the clash between Sheffield United and Cardiff City on Thursday, the first of three matches that night.
There will be 19 matches on Saturday with non-stop football from 12pm until 8pm.
Sunday has a further seven matches including the biggest clash of the weekend, when Arsenal host Premier League rivals Manchester United.
The action concludes on Monday night with the tasty London derby between Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge.
What is the prize money in the FA Cup third round?
As mentioned above, for the first time ever, third round winners are entitled to prize money as potentially lucrative replays have been scrapped.
Third round losers will get now earn £25,000 while winners see £115,000 added to their coffers.
As the competition progresses, the financial stakes climb which encourages the teams to perform at their best ability in every round.
For winning the competition, one team will receive a whopping £2MILLION.
The runners up get £1m, with no change to the money available for winning games from the fourth round onwards.
For lower league clubs that go on a good run, the prize money can make or break their finances for the season.
Arsenal v Man Utd FA Cup history
AFTER drawing each other in the third round of the FA Cup, it will be the 17th time Arsenal and Manchester United have faced off in the competition.
They previously met in the 1997 and 2005 finals, both won by Arsenal.
The last match came in 2019, which was won by United.
Overall Arsenal have six wins while United have eight, while they share two draws.
United’s tally of 22 goals is also superior to Arsenal’s 20 in these games.
Wayne Rooney is the top scorer in the fixture, with three of his goals against the North London side coming in the FA Cup.
Bukayo Saka leads Arsenal’s tally at the moment with six goals, though these have all been in the Premier League.
The full breakdown is below:
Extra Preliminary Round winners (221) – £1,125
Extra Preliminary Round losers (221) – £375
Preliminary Round winners (136) – £1,444
Preliminary Round losers (136) – £481
First Round Qualifying winners (112) – £2,250
First Round Qualifying losers (112) – £750
Second Round Qualifying winners (80) – £3,375
Second Round Qualifying losers (80) – £1,125
Third Round Qualifying winners (40) – £5,625
Third Round Qualifying losers (40) – £1,875
Fourth Round Qualifying winners (32) – £9,375
Fourth Round Qualifying losers (32) – £3,125
First Round Proper winners (40) – £45,000
First Round Proper losers (40) – £15,000
Second Round Proper winners (20) – £75,000
Second Round Proper losers (20) – £20,000
Third Round Proper winners (32) – £115,000
Third Round Proper losers (32) – £25,000
Fourth Round Proper winners (16) – £120,000
Fifth Round Proper winners (8) – £225,000
Quarter Final winners (4) – £450,000
Semi Final winners (2) – £1,000,000
Semi Final losers (2) – £500,000
What FA Cup third round games are on TV?
Thursday, January 9
7pm – Sheffield United vs Cardiff City (BBC Wales)
7.45pm – Everton vs Peterborough United (BBC iPlayer)
7.45pm – Fulham vs Watford
Friday, January 10
7.45pm – Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth
8pm – Aston Villa vs West Ham United (ITV1, ITVX and STV)
Saturday, January 11
12pm
Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Birmingham City vs Lincoln City
Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers
12.15pm
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley (ITV1, ITVX and STV)
3pm
Exeter City vs Oxford United
Preston North End vs Charlton Athletic
AFC Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion
Reading vs Burnley
Sunderland vs Stoke City
Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town
Brentford vs Plymouth Argyle
Norwich City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea vs Morecambe (BBC Extended Highlights)
Leicester City vs Queens Park Rangers (BBC Extended Highlights)
5.45pm
Man City vs Salford City (BBC One and iPlayer)
Leeds United vs Harrogate Town (BBC iPlayer)
6pm
Leyton Orient vs Derby County
Coventry City vs Sheffield Wednesday
Mansfield Town vs Wigan Athletic
Sunday, January 12
12pm
Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers
12.30pm
Tamworth vs Tottenham Hotspur (ITV1, ITVX and STV)
3pm
Arsenal vs Man Utd (BBC One and iPlayer)
Newcastle United vs Bromley (BBC iPlayer)
Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers
Crystal Palace vs Stockport County
4.30pm
Southampton vs Swansea City (BBC Wales)
Monday, January 13
7.30pm – Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge (ITV4 and ITVX)
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