2020/21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup to return

The Bees will travel to South London to take on Crystal Palace Women in the Fourth Round of Vitality Women’s FA Cup, after it was confirmed that the competition will resume.

FULL FA STATEMENT

 The Football Association (The FA) is pleased to confirm that following the Government’s recent roadmap announcement which will see the safe return of grassroots football from 29 March, the 2020/2021 Vitality Women’s FA Cup will recommence at the end of this month.

The competition was paused in January at the Second Round after the country went into its third lockdown, with all ‘non-elite’ football suspended as a result.

With the recent announcement that the suspension will be lifted in a few weeks, The FA is in a position to reschedule the first four rounds of the competition – with one tie still to be played in the First Round and 17 in the Second Round, before the Third and Fourth Rounds can be played.

The rescheduled dates – subject to ongoing Government guidance as we follow the roadmap out of lockdown – are as follows:

  • First Round – 31 March 2021
  • Second Round – 4 April 2021
  • Third Round – 11 April 2021
  • Fourth Round – 18 April 2021

To ensure clubs can plan and prepare for their upcoming ties, the draws for the Third and Fourth Round have been made, which can be viewed in full here.

The FA must also acknowledge FIFA’s support for completing the later rounds of the competition. Conversations concerning a date for the Fifth Round, which will be completed this season, are ongoing. Following the Fifth Round, up to three rounds, including the Final held at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, can be completed next season, with dates to be confirmed.