Non-league Macclesfield to host holders Crystal Palace in FA Cup third round

Non-league club Macclesfield will host the FA Cup holders, Crystal Palace, in the third round of the tournament this season, in one of the standout ties of the draw.

Macclesfield, who are 14th in National League North, will face high-flying Palace, fourth in the Premier League, in a classic David and Goliath pairing when the fixtures are played on the weekend of 10-11 January 2026.

In other eye-catching ties, fan-owned Exeter of League One will travel to play Manchester City, hoping for victory – and at least a decent payday – as they take on the world’s second richest club and their gallery of stars.

Meanwhile, two British clubs with big American owners come into contact as Chelsea travel to Wrexham’s STōK Cae Ras stadium. In the pick of the all-Premier League ties, Tottenham will host Aston Villa.

The three other non-league sides in the draw received less glamorous fixtures than Macclesfield. There is the potential for an all-National League tie, with Boreham Wood set to welcome Brackley if the latter overcome Burton Albion in their second-round tie. Weston-super-Mare of the National League South, who have reached the third round for the first time in their 138-year history, were drawn away against League Two Grimsby, the conquerors of Manchester United in the EFL Cup this season.

There were a number of other all-Premier League matchups in the 32 fixtures after the draw was completed by Joe Cole and Peter Crouch on TNT Sports before the Brackley-Burton tie. Manchester United will play Brighton in a rematch of their semi-final of 2023. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle will take on his old club Bournemouth. Everton and Sunderland, two teams enjoying strong seasons in the top flight, will meet at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Alongside the Wrexham v Chelsea fixture there will be other intriguing Premier League and Championship pairings. Portsmouth will host the Premier League leaders, Arsenal, and Sheffield Wednesday will welcome Brentford. In a throwback to one of the great rivalries of the 1970s, Derby are to face Leeds, while Millwall will travel to Burnley.