Two huge changes confirmed for FA Cup from next season which will leave fans divided

The Football Association have confirmed two significant changes to the FA Cup for next season - and some fans won't be happy.

It has already been announced that the FA Cup will be principally shown by TNT Sports as part of a four-year broadcast deal beginning next season.

Now, the FA has confirmed a new agreement with the Premier League that, it describes, will 'strengthen the Emirates FA Cup format with new and exclusive calendar windows'.

The agreement, which will span for 'a minimum of six years', will see every FA Cup round played on a weekend, including all qualifying rounds and the fifth round, which has often been played on a midweek in recent years.

As part of the new schedule, all fixtures from the fourth round onwards will not be played at the same time as any Premier League fixtures.

The final of the competition will be played on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season.

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It has also been agreed that replays will be scrapped from the first round proper - a decision sure to divide fans of EFL clubs in particular.

In another major announcement, meanwhile, the Premier League will increase its funding to the rest of the football pyramid, providing 'up to an additional £33 million for grassroots football on top of the £100 million it currently gives to good causes.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has confirmed that the investment includes disability football and women's football, although it is unclear as to how the amounts will be divided.

In other news, the Community Shield - the traditional season curtain-raiser - will take place on Saturday, August 10, the weekend before the start of the new 2024/25 Premier League season.

The competition usually takes place between the winner of the previous season's Premier League and the FA Cup. However, as Manchester City won both last season, Arsenal were included by virtue of finishing second in the Premier League - and won on penalties at Wembley.