The Emirates FA Cup schedule for the early rounds of the 2020-21 season has been confirmed, with the competition due to start on Tuesday 1 September. The list of accepted clubs and round exemptions has also been released by the Football Association, while the early draws for the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds will be released on Tuesday 18 August. Brentford will enter the competition in the Third Round. Dates for the First Round proper and beyond are to be confirmed in due course.

In order to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the 2020-21 season in the qualifying competition. The schedule for the competition proper will be released in due course.  After two seasons of record levels of prize funds, the Emirates FA Cup prize fund has returned back in line with 2017-18 levels due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.