The FA Cup is the oldest and most valuable cup in English football, their schedule is so confusing all of the time there needs to be done in a more condensed way. With it spread out across from August to May, it can be done in a shorter time time especially Round of 16 matches, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the Final. So here's my suggest plan year on year.
2022:
Have the Semi Finals moved from mid April to the Wednesday and Thursday of the Final to ensure more fan attendance during the week, increase in value to the FA Cup, the value increase to players and teams and better organising for the FA. Because of the move, the final would have to be played on Sunday instead of Saturday to ensure rest days for the teams that are participating in the final. It also gives the BBC and ITV who are covering the FA Cup till 2025 more flexibility in coverage and less disruption to their programming. The 2022 FA Cup Semi Finals and Final could look like this.
May 18th, Semi Final - 1
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 19th, Semi Final - 2
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 22nd, Final
Kickoff, 7.30pm
2023:
Have the Quarter Finals moved from mid march to the week before to ensure more fan attendance during the FA Cup and axe the Semi Final draws to create unpredictability, increase in value to the FA Cup, the value increase to players and teams and better organising for the FA. Because of the move, the Premier League would need to finish 3-7 days earlier to avoid clashes for teams but the Final can be returned to Saturday. It also gives the BBC and ITV who are covering the FA Cup till 2025 more flexibility in coverage and less disruption to their programming. To ensure parody, BBC and ITV would be given Two games each to broadcast to avoid ratings wars BBC and BT Sport had in previous years when BBC would have one or two games while BT had three to four games per group. The 2023 FA Cup Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final could look like this.
May 13th, Quarter Final - 1
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 13th, Quarter Final - 2
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 14th, Quarter Final - 3
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 14th, Quarter Final - 4
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 16th, Semi Final - 1
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 17th, Semi Final - 2
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 20th, Final
Kickoff, 7.30pm
2024:
Have the Fifth round renamed the Round of 16 because there are 16 teams in this stage and moved from mid march to mid may to ensure more fan attendance during the FA Cup and axe the Quarter Final draw to create unpredictability. Because of the move, games will have to be played in the middle of the week during work hours which fans may not like but worth it to see on TV. Because of the move, the Premier League would need to finish 3-7 days earlier to avoid clashes for teams but the Final can be kepted on Saturday. It also gives the BBC and ITV who are covering the FA Cup till 2025 more flexibility in coverage and less disruption to their programming. To ensure parody, BBC and ITV would be given Four games each to broadcast to avoid ratings wars BBC and BT Sport had in previous years when BBC would have one or two games while BT had three to four games per group. The 2023 FA Cup Round of 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final could look like this.
May 13th, Round of 16 - 1
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 13th, Round of 16 - 2
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 14th, Round of 16 - 3
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 14th, Round of 16 - 4
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 15th, Round of 16 - 5
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 15th, Round of 16 - 6
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 16th, Round of 16 - 7
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 16th, Round of 16 - 8
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 18th, Quarter Final - 1
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 18th, Quarter Final - 2
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 19th, Quarter Final - 3
Kickoff, 3.00pm
May 19th, Quarter Final - 4
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 21st, Semi Final - 1
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 22nd, Semi Final - 2
Kickoff, 8.00pm
May 25th, Final
Kickoff, 7.30pm