Adobe Women’s FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw Confirmed
London, 23 February 2026 – The path to Wembley has been clarified this evening following the official draw for the Quarter-Finals of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Conducted ahead of the final fifth-round fixture between London City Lionesses and Tottenham Hotspur, the draw has set up several high-profile encounters, including home ties for heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea.
Quarter-Final Draw Results
The following fixtures were confirmed during the live draw on Monday evening. Matches are scheduled to be contested across the weekend of 4 April and 5 April 2026.
- Charlton Athletic v Liverpool
- Chelsea v London City Lionesses or Tottenham Hotspur
- Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion
- Birmingham City v Manchester City
Path to the Quarter-Finals
The draw follows a weekend of intense fifth-round action. Arsenal secured their place in the final eight with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bristol City at Meadow Park. Holders Chelsea progressed after a narrow 2-1 win against Manchester United, while Manchester City also cruised through their respective fixture to remain in contention for the trophy.
In a significant development for the competition’s integrity, the Football Association recently confirmed that proposed radical changes to the tournament format—which included seeding the top four Women’s Super League teams—have been put on hold following significant pushback from clubs, players, and supporters’ groups.
Key Facts: Women’s FA Cup History
As the 2025-26 competition enters its final stages, the following table outlines the historical context of the tournament’s most successful participants and recent champions.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Most Successful Club | Arsenal (14 Titles) |
| Early Dominant Force | Southampton Women’s FC (8 Titles in first 11 years) |
| 2024-25 Winners | Chelsea |
| First Competition | 1970-71 Season |
| Quarter-Final Dates | 4 April 2026 – 5 April 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Quarter-Final matches be played?
The ties are scheduled to take place on the weekend of 4 April and 5 April 2026. Specific kick-off times and broadcast details will be confirmed by the FA and participating clubs in due course.
Where will the Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion match be held?
Arsenal have been drawn as the home team, with the fixture expected to take place at Meadow Park, their primary home ground for cup competitions.
What happened to the proposed seeding changes?
Proposals to revamp the Women’s FA Cup by seeding top-flight teams were officially put on hold on 19 February 2026. This decision followed criticism that such changes would undermine the “all-in” nature of the historic knockout competition.