The 2024–25 FA Youth Cup was the 73rd edition of the competition.
The competition consisted of several rounds and was preceded by a qualifying competition, starting with two preliminary rounds which was followed by three qualifying rounds for non-League teams. The Football League teams entered the draw thereafter, with League One and League Two teams entered in the first round proper, and Premier League and Championship teams entered in the third round proper.
43 clubs from the sixth tier National League North and National League South competed with the 191 winners from the preliminary round. Even though the 6th tier has 48 teams, Chesham United, Farnborough, Peterborough Sports, Scunthorpe United, and Welling United did not apply to compete in the FA Youth Cup this year. Bracknell Town were originally supposed to play in this round, but were disqualified after they fielded an ineligible player so their opponent Ascot United moved on in their place. No walkovers occcured during the round. This results in the same number of walkovers for the tournament 26. The Draw was made on 6 September 2024.[3]
23 clubs from the fifth tier National League competed with the 117 winners from the previous round. 12 teams from tier ten are left with 11 confirmed to be moving on to this round. Although the fifth tier has 24 clubs, Braintree Town did not apply to compete in the FA Youth Cup. No walkovers occcured during the round. This results in the same number of walkovers for the tournament 26. The draw was done on 20 September 2024.[4]
Note: Match was ordered to be replayed because the initial match not being completed within the rules of the competition.
Second Round
The winners from the first round would compete in this round. Rising Ballers Kensington from the tenth tier is the lowest tier team left in the tournament. Merstham FC are the only team remaining who played in the Extra-Preliminary round, winning 6 matches to get to this stage. The draw was made on November 1, 2024. [8]
Note: match was originally to be played on 20 November 2024, but was moved back a week because Blyth Spartans had to replay their first round matchup against Bradford City.
Stadium: Bottom Meadow Attendance: 83 Referee: Lawrence Torz-Brown
Note: Match was postponed due to a replay in the Bromley vs Woking match as the original game wasn't played within the rules of the competition. Then was postponed again due to a waterlogged pitch. Match was played at Sandhurst Town.
Third Round
44 teams from the EFL Championship and the Premier League join in this stage of the competition. Burgess Hill Town, Hertford Town, and Merstham from the 8th Tier are the lowest ranked teams remaining in the competition. Merstham are the only team remaining who played in the Extra-Preliminary round, winning 7 matches to get to this stage. The draw was made on 15 November 2024.[9]
Stadium: Lamex Stadium Attendance: 388 Referee: Nick Reece
Fourth Round
The 32 winners from the previous round compete in this round. The lowest ranked team left in the competition is Merstham, from the 8th tier. Merstham are the only team remaining who played in the Extra-Preliminary round, tying an FA Youth Cup record winning 8 consecutive matches to get to this stage in the competition. The draw was made on 13 December 2024.[10]
