FA Vase: Dates, teams, history & more

The FA Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing in Steps 5 and 6 of the English National League System, first held in the 1974/75 season, when Hoddesdon Town beat Epsom & Ewell in the final.

Entry is restricted for clubs competing in Steps 1-4 of The FA National League System. Clubs relegated out of Step 4 will automatically be switched into the FA Vase and clubs promoted into Step 4 will automatically be moved to the FA Trophy.

Romford are the reigning champions after beating Great Wakering Rovers 3-0 in last season's final at Wembley, which was the 50th edition of the competition.

FA Vase Dates

• First Round Qualifying - Saturday 24th August 2024
• Second Round Qualifying - Saturday 21st September 2024
• First Round Proper - Saturday 19th October 2024
• Second Round Proper - Saturday 9th November 2024
• Third Round Proper - Saturday 7th December 2024
• Fourth Round Proper - Saturday 11th January 2025
• Fifth Round Proper - Saturday 1st February 2025
• Sixth Round Proper - Saturday 1st March 2025
• Semi Final 1st Leg - Saturday 29th March 2025 / 2nd Leg - Saturday 5th April 2025
• Final - Saturday 10th or Sunday 11th May 2025

FA Vase Final Venue

Wembley Stadium is home to the final of the FA Vase, scheduled to be played on the 10th or 11th May 2025 in this season's competition.

FA Vase How to watch

Last season's FA Vase Final between Romford and Great Wakering Rovers was broadcasted live on TNT Sports.

FA Vase History

Hoddesdon Town won the inaugural FA Vase in the 1974/75 season when beating Epsom & Ewell 2-1 in the final, the only triumph for the club in the competition.

From the 2000/01 to the 2005/06 season, the final was hosted away from Wembley, before the new Wembley opened in 2007. Truro City were the first side to win the competition at the new Wembley, defeating A.F.C. Totton 3-1.

The record for the most wins is held by Whitley Bay, with four victories. Whitley Bay have also won the competition in three consecutive seasons. The side were last successful in the 2010/11 season after beating Coalville Town 3-2 in the final at Wembley.

A.F.C. Sudbury will likely count themselves as the team with the least luck in the competition, having never won the tournament and finishing as runners up three times, with their most recent final loss in 2005 a 3-2 defeat to Didcot Town at White Hart Lane.