Football: 2025 Ecap FA Cup preliminary round ties confirmed

Three all-Premier League ties part of opening stage of tournament

Three all-Premier League clashes form part of the opening ties to kickstart the 2025 Ecap FA Cup competition.

In total, 16 teams will compete in the first stage of the tournament in early January following the preliminary round draw made on Manx Radio's Saturday Sport Classified on Saturday, 30 November.

Among the matches, Onchan will host Canada Life Men's Premier League champions Ayre United who they held to a 2-2 draw in the league last weekend.

The other all-Premier League ties will see St John's United host Rushen United whilst Union Mills welcome struggling Marown.

Meanwhile, there are a number of intriguing cross-division ties elsewhere which include St George's - second-from-bottom in the Premier League - facing a potentially tricky test at in-form Ardern & Druggan Ltd. Division 2 side Castletown.

There's also a meeting of two of the in-form outfits so far this campaign as Division 2 leaders Douglas High School Old Boys (Dhsob.) host Corinthians who sit third in the Premier League.

The preliminary round ties are scheduled to take place on Saturday, 4 January 2025 with all kicking-off at 1.15pm.

Elsewhere, eight teams have received byes into the first round proper.

You can view the full draw below:

2025 Ecap FA Cup Preliminary Round Draw (Ties to be played Saturday, 4 January 2025)

Onchan vs Ayre United

St John's United vs Rushen United

Ramsey vs Michael United

Douglas Royal vs Foxdale

Castletown vs St George's

Governors Athletic vs Malew

Dhsob. vs Corinthians

Union Mills vs Marown

Laxey - BYE

Pulrose United - BYE

Peel - BYE

Colby - BYE

Rycob. - BYE

St Mary's - BYE

Braddan - BYE

Douglas & District - BYE