Leicester to travel to Oxford City in 2026-27 FA Cup first round
Leicester City will travel to National League North side Oxford City in the 2026-27 FA Cup first round, the draw published on 19 October 2026 shows. The tie pits the former 2021 winners against sixth-tier opposition for a place in the second round.
It is the first time Leicester have taken part at this stage of the competition since 2008 after winning the FA Cup five years ago, and the club have since dropped down to League One. The 2021 winners were relegated to League One for this season and Russell Martin's side are currently 14th after an inconsistent start to the campaign.
The draw included 91 teams, with four clubs reaching the first round proper for the first time. There will be a family element when Peterborough United face Reading, with Posh boss Robbie Savage set to take on his son Charlie's side.
Lower-league stories feature elsewhere in the draw: eighth-tier Tadley Calleva came from behind twice to force a replay with Aldershot and, should they progress, will travel to League One Barnsley. Bradford City, described in the draw as the highest-ranked team, will welcome National League North side Marine as the League One leaders enter the competition.
Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds have won five games in the competition this season to reach the first round and will be rewarded with a trip to League One side Burton Albion. Other named ties include Stafford Rangers awaiting another bumper Cup crowd and a range of League One v non-league pairings.
Selected first-round fixtures announced in the draw include Mansfield Town v Macclesfield/Anstey Nomads, Huddersfield Town v Exeter City, Luton Town v Chesham United/Forest Green Rovers, Bristol Rovers v Cambridge United, Oldham Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday, Kidderminster Harriers v Doncaster Rovers, Leyton Orient v Harborough Town, Accrington Stanley v Wycombe Wanderers, MK Dons v Swindon Town, Barnsley v Aldershot Town/Tadley Calleva, Bury/Harrogate Town v AFC Fylde, Crewe Alexandra v AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion v AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Bedford Town/Cray Wanderers v Stockport County, Port Vale v Scunthorpe United, Cheltenham Town v FC Halifax Town, Colchester United v Chorley/Worcester City, Wimborne Town v Crawley Town, Plymouth Argyle v Spalding United/Alvechurch, Gateshead/Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town, Oxford City v Leicester City, York City v Northampton Town, Altrincham/FC United of Manchester v Notts County, Boreham Wood v Wigan Athletic and Carlisle United v Salford City.
The first round is scheduled to kick off around the weekend of Saturday, 7 November, when the drawn ties will be played for places in the second round.
