A total of 745 teams will take part in the FA Cup this season (13 more than in 2023-24). Like every other Step 5 club taking part, Boro will start in the Extra-Preliminary Round as will 123 sides from Step 4 including the likes of Isthmian North sides Redbridge, Heybridge Swifts, Maldon & Tiptree, and Grays Athletic.

Prize money for the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup is as follows:

Extra Preliminary Round winners (208) £1,125
Extra Preliminary Round losers (208) £375
Preliminary Round winners (136) £1,444
Preliminary Round losers (136) £481
First Round Qualifying winners (112) £2,250
First Round Qualifying losers (112) £750
Second Round Qualifying winners (80) £3,375
Second Round Qualifying losers (80) £1,125
Third Round Qualifying winners (40) £5,625
Third Round Qualifying losers (40) £1,875
Fourth Round Qualifying winners (32) £9,375
Fourth Round Qualifying losers (32) £3,125

FA Vase

There will be 596 teams vying for the FA Vase this season, one fewer than last season. As holders, Romford are exempt until the Second Round as are Great Wakering Rovers. Other sides of interest who are exempt to that stage include four sides that Boro played in the competition last season – Hilltop, North Greenford United, Stanway Pegasus, and Lincoln United – and Jersey Bulls.

Essex Senior League sides Saffron Walden Town and White Ensign are exempt until the First Round. The remaining 16 Essex Senior League clubs will feature in the draw for the First and Second Qualifying Rounds when they are published on Friday.

The competition prize fund is as follows:

First Round Qualifying Winners £550 Losers £160
Second Round Qualifying Winners £725 Losers £225
First Round Proper Winners £825 Losers £250
Second Round Proper Winners £900 Losers £275
Third Round Proper Winners £1125 Losers £350
Fourth Round Proper Winners £1875 Losers £600
Fifth Round Proper Winners £2250 Losers £725
Quarter Final Winners £4125 Losers £1350
Semi Final Winners £5500 Losers £1725
Final Winners £30000 Losers £15000

FA Youth Cup

633 teams will take part in the FA Youth Cup this season and Romford will start in the Extra-Preliminary Round, as will Barking, despite their reaching the Third Round last season.

FA Competition Round Dates

F.A. CUP

Extra Preliminary Round Saturday 3 August 2024
Preliminary Round Saturday 17 August 2024
First Round Qualifying Saturday 31 August 2024
Second Round Qualifying Saturday 14 September 2024
Third Round Qualifying Saturday 28 September 2024
Fourth Round Qualifying Saturday 12 October 2024
First Round Proper Saturday 2 November 2024
Second Round Proper Saturday 30 November 2024
Third Round Proper Saturday 11 January 2025
Fourth Round Proper Saturday 8 February 2025
Fifth Round Proper Saturday 1 March 2025
Quarter Final Saturday 29 March 2025
Semi Final Saturday 26 April 2025
Final Saturday 17 May 2025

F.A. TROPHY

Preliminary Round Saturday 24 August 2024
First Round Qualifying Saturday 7 September 2024
Second Round Qualifying Saturday 21 September 2024
Third Round Qualifying Saturday 5 October 2024
First Round Proper Saturday 26 October 2024
Second Round Proper Saturday 16 November 2024
Third Round Proper Saturday 7 December 2024
Fourth Round Proper Saturday 4 January 2025
Fifth Round Proper Saturday 1 February 2025
Sixth Round Proper Saturday 1 March 2025
Semi Final Saturday 5 April 2025
Final Saturday 10 or Sunday 11 May 2025

F.A. VASE

First Round Qualifying Saturday 24 August 2024
Second Round Qualifying Saturday 21 September 2024
First Round Proper Saturday 19 October 2024
Second Round Proper Saturday 9 November 2024
Third Round Proper Saturday 7 December 2024
Fourth Round Proper Saturday 11 January 2025
Fifth Round Proper Saturday 1 February 2025
Sixth Round Proper Saturday 1 March 2025
Semi Final 1st Leg Saturday 29 March 2025
Semi-Final 2nd Leg Saturday 5 April 2025
Final Saturday 10 or Sunday 11 May 2025

F.A. YOUTH CUP

Qualifying Competition – Ties to be played in the week commencing: -
Extra Preliminary Round Monday 12 August 2024
Preliminary Round Monday 2 September 2024
First Round Qualifying Monday 16 September 2024
Second Round Qualifying Monday 30 September 2024
Third Round Qualifying Monday 14 October 2024
Competition Proper – Ties to be played by the following closing date: -
First Round Proper Saturday 2 November 2024
Second Round Proper Saturday 23 November 2024
Third Round Proper Saturday 14 December 2024
Fourth Round Proper Saturday 18 January 2025
Fifth Round Proper Saturday 8 February 2025
Sixth Round Proper Saturday 8 March 2025
Semi Final Saturday 5 April 2025
Final Saturday 3 May 2025