2021–22 Women's FA Cup

The 2021–22 Women's FA Cup is the 52nd staging of the Women's FA Cup, a knockout cup competition for women's football teams in England. Chelsea are the defending champions, having beaten Arsenal 3–0 in the 2020–21 final which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually played on 5 December 2021.

Teams

A total of 417 teams entered the 2021–22 Women's FA Cup, an increase of 41 from the previous year. Unlike previous years, there were no additional preliminary rounds prior to first round qualifying. Tier 5 teams were given an exemption for the first time, entering at the second round qualifying stage. The 50 teams that play in the FA Women's National League Division One (tier 4) are given exemption to the third round qualifying, while teams in the Northern and Southern Premier Divisions (tier 3) enter at the first round proper. Also for the first time, teams in the FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship (tiers 1 and 2) entered in different rounds with Championship teams exempt until the third round proper, one round earlier than in previous years, while FA WSL teams remained exempt until the fourth round proper.

First round qualifying

The competition started at the first round qualifying stage with 76 matches played on Sunday 12 September 2021, made up of teams from the seventh-tier county leagues and randomly drawn tier six regional second division teams.

Second round qualifying

120 matches were scheduled for the second round qualifying on Sunday 3 October 2021, made up of the 76 winning teams from the first round qualifying and included the introduction of 164 teams from the fifth-tier regional first division football leagues and the and remaining sixth-tier teams.

Third round qualifying

85 matches were scheduled for the third round qualifying on Sunday 24 October 2021, made up of the 120 winning teams from the second round qualifying and including the introduction of 50 teams from the fourth-tier FA Women's National League Division One.

First round proper

56 matches were scheduled for the first round proper on Sunday 14 November 2021, made up of the 85 winning teams from the third round qualifying and included the introduction of 27 from teams the third-tier FA Women's National League Premier Division.

Second round proper

28 matches were scheduled for the second round proper on Sunday 28 November 2021, made up of the 56 winning teams from the first round proper and did not include the introduction of any new teams.

Third round proper

20 matches were scheduled for the third round proper on Sunday 12 December 2021, made up of the 28 winning teams from the second round proper and included the introduction of 12 teams from the second-tier FA Women's Championship.

Fourth round proper

16 matches were scheduled for the fourth round proper on Sunday 30 January 2022, made up of the 20 winning teams from the third round proper and included the introduction of 12 teams from the first-tier FA Women's Super League. The fourth round proper was the final round to introduce new teams.

Fifth round proper

Eight matches were scheduled for the fifth round proper on Sunday 27 February 2022, made up of the 16 winning teams from the fourth round proper.

Quarter-finals

Four matches will be scheduled for the quarter-finals on Sunday 20 March 2022, made up of the eight winning teams from the fifth round proper.

Semi-finals

Two matches will be scheduled for the semi-finals on Sunday 17 April 2022, made up of the four winning teams from the quarter-finals.

Final

The final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 15 May 2022.

Television rights

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2021-22 FA Women's Cup
Women's FA Cup seasons
Cup
Women's FA Cup