FA Competitions – Entry Criteria
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
FA CUP, FA TROPHY, FA VASE AND FA YOUTH CUP
SEASON 2020-21
Entry Criteria
THE FA CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard
• Clubs in The Premier League, English Football League and in Steps 1, 2, 3 & 4 of The FA National
League System.
• Clubs must also be a participant in either The FA Trophy or The FA Vase Competitions in season
2020-21.
A Club participating at Steps 5 & 6 of The FA National League System in season 2019-20 shall
be permitted to apply for entry. However, acceptance into the Competition will be subject to
availability of places, which cannot be guaranteed.
THE FA TROPHY
• Entry is restricted to Clubs participating in Steps 1-4 of The FA National League System subject to
the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard.
A Club moving between Step 4 and 5 of The FA National League System will be moved
accordingly by The FA between The FA Trophy and The FA Vase Competitions.
THE FA VASE
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard
• Clubs in Steps 5 & 6 of The FA National League System
A Club participating at Step 7 of The FA National League System in season 2019-20 shall only
be permitted to apply for entry if it has applied for promotion to Step 6 for season 2020-21.
However, acceptance into the Competition will be subject to such Club receiving promotion
to Step 6 for season 2020-21.
THE FA YOUTH CUP
Clubs to be automatically accepted subject to the ground fully conforming to the minimum standard
• Clubs participating in The FA Cup, The FA Trophy or The FA Vase in season 2020-21.
• Clubs participating in a recognized Youth League or suitable Competition in season 2020-21 that is
sanctioned by The Association or an affiliated Association.
• Youth Teams representing a Club must be properly integrated, in the opinion of The Association,
with the Club.
MINIMUM GROUND STANDARDS
THE FA CUP
Clubs must have a ground where all home first team League matches are played, which fully conforms to a
“G” grade of The FA National Ground Grading (appropriate to Step 6 of The FA National League System) or
higher.
THE FA VASE
Clubs must have a ground where all home first team League matches are played, which fully conforms to a
“H” grade of The FA National Ground Grading (appropriate to entry to Step 6 of The FA National League
System) or higher.
Any Club with a ground which does not fully conform to the minimum ground standard, as referenced above,
WILL NOT be permitted entry into a Competition by nominating an alternative ground solely for the purpose
of being used in FA Competitions.
Details of The FA National Ground Grading requirements can be found under the following link:
http://www.thefa.com/get-involved/player/ground-grading