FA Trophy: Dates, how to watch, history & more

The FA Trophy is contested by clubs between the fifth and eighth tier of the EFL system and was first held back in the 1969/70 season, when Macclesfield beat Telford United 2-0 in the final.

Teams from the National League, Southern League, Isthmian League and Northern Premier League can participate in the FA Trophy, a structure that has been in place since 2008.

Gateshead are the reigning champions after beating Solihull Moors on penalties in last season's final at Wembley.

FA Trophy Dates

• Preliminary Round - Saturday 24th August 2024
• First Round Qualifying - Saturday 7th September 2024
• Second Round Qualifying - Saturday 21st September 2024
• Third Round Qualifying - Saturday 5th October 2024
• First Round Proper - Saturday 26th October 2024
• Second Round Proper - Saturday 16th November 2024
• Third Round Proper - Saturday 7th December 2024
• Fourth Round Proper - Saturday 4th January 2024
• Fifth Round Proper - Saturday 1st February 2025
• Sixth Round Proper - Saturday 1st March 2025
• Semi-finals - Saturday 5th April 2025
• Final - Saturday 10th/ Sunday 11th May 2025

FA Trophy final venue

The FA Trophy final is typically played at Wembley Stadium in London, as was the case last season as Gateshead were crowned winners for the first time in their history.

FA Trophy How to watch

The 2023/24FA Trophy final between Gateshead and Solihull Moors was broadcast live on TNT Sports.

FA Trophy History

Macclesfield Town won the inaugural FA Trophy in the 1969/70 season when beating Telford United 2-0 in the final, the first of two triumphs for the club, who also claimed the spoils in 1996.

Telford made up for that loss the following year when overcoming Hillingdon Borough 3-2 in the final. They went on to lift the trophy two more times, in 1983 and 1989, leaving them with the joint-highest number of FA Trophy wins on three.

Scarborough and Woking have also tasted success three times, with their last final wins coming in 1977 and 1997 respectively.

A total of 37 teams have won the FA Trophy, while Halifax Town are the defending champions and are aiming to win the competition for the third time this season.

Wrexham became the first Welsh winners of the FA Trophy in 2013 when beating Grimsby Town on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra-time.