<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> ← 2016--17 2018--19 → </Td> </Tr> <P> The 2017--18 FA Cup (also known as the FA Challenge Cup) is the 137th edition of the oldest recognised football tournament in the world . It is sponsored by Emirates, and known as The Emirates FA Cup for sponsorship purposes . 737 clubs were accepted into the tournament . It began with the Extra Preliminary Round on 5 August 2017, and will conclude with the final on 19 May 2018 . The winner will qualify for the 2018--19 UEFA Europa League group stage . </P> <P> The third round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace on 8 January 2018 was the first competitive game in England where video assistant referee (VAR) technology was available, although it was not used . </P> <P> Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City became the first player to score a goal awarded by a video assistant referee (VAR) in competitive English football as Leicester beat Fleetwood Town 2--0 in the FA Cup third - round replay on 16 January 2018 . Referee Jon Moss initially disallowed the goal for offside but he consulted with video official Mike Jones, who told him Nathan Pond's trailing foot was keeping Iheanacho onside . The goal was awarded 67 seconds after it hit the back of the net . </P>

When is the fa cup 3rd round being played