The Football Association has paused plans to overhaul the Women's FA Cup format for the 2025-26 season. The proposed changes included seeding the top four Women's Super League teams and mapping out fixed pathways to the final from the fourth round onwards. According to BBC Sport, the move aimed to assist clubs with European fixture congestion and travel logistics.
However, the FA Professional Game Board opted against the changes after receiving negative feedback. Several club representatives described the seeding proposal as a 'ridiculous idea' that would undermine the competition's prestige. Critics argued the move would favour elite teams and reduce the variety of matchups.
Existing rules, which feature an open draw for every round, will remain in place for the upcoming campaign. The governing body stated it will continue to consult with stakeholders regarding the future structure of the tournament. The 2024-25 final between Manchester United and Chelsea attracted a record crowd of 77,390 at Wembley Stadium.
