Prize money for the FA Cup has been slashed after the early schedule for the competition was confirmed.
Bristol Rovers’ run to the third round of the competition last season earned the Gas £90,000 in prize money alone, plus sizeable sums from gate receipts and television fees.
The Pirates beat Bromley and Plymouth Argyle after replays before losing out in the third round to Coventry City.
But the coronavirus pandemic has hurt all corners of the game, and The FA has reduced the prize sums available in next season’s competition.
“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,” an FA statement said.
Full-capacity stadiums are unlikely to be allowed for the early rounds of the competition at least, meaning clubs are set to suffer falling ticket and matchday income as well in addition to the decrease in prize money.
A first-round win in 2019/20 would have earned £36,000, but reaching the second round next season would be rewarded with £22,629.
The prize for winning in the second round has been cut from £54,000 to £34,000, and a third-round win is now worth £82,000, compared to £135,000 the previous season.
The competition will begin in just a matter of weeks, with the extra preliminary round kicking off on September 1.
The fourth, and final, qualifying round will begin on October 24.
There will be no replays in the qualifying rounds to ease fixture congestion, and some EFL and Premier League clubs would certainly welcome that measure being extended.
Rovers’ first involvement in the competition will likely be in early November, with the date of the first round proper to be decided in due course as clubs await news of their league fixtures.
The League One season is set to begin on September 12.
