The FA Cup has long been known for producing results that do not follow league position or financial strength. Once the draw is made, teams from very different levels of the game are placed on equal footing for one match.
Over the years, this has led to a series of results in which lower-division and non-league sides have eliminated established top-flight teams, often in front of home crowds and under significant pressure.
Below are five of the biggest FA Cup upsets, based on the circumstances at the time and the scale of the result.
Hereford United 2–1 Newcastle United (1972)
Non-league Hereford United were competing in the Southern League when they were drawn against First Division side Newcastle United in the third round.
The original tie at Edgar Street finished 2–2, with Hereford midfielder Ronnie Radford scoring a long-range equaliser late in the match to force a replay. The return fixture at St James’ Park went to extra time after finishing level.
In extra time, Hereford scored the winning goal to secure a 2–1 victory in the replay, completing one of the most famous upsets in FA Cup history.
Hereford win: ~25.00
A $100 bet on Hereford United would have returned approximately $2,500
Sutton United 2–1 Coventry City (1989)
FA Cup holders Coventry City were playing in the First Division when they travelled to non-league Sutton United in the third round.
Sutton, who were members of the Conference, took the lead and defended for long periods under pressure. Coventry equalised, but Sutton scored again and held on to become the first non-league side to knock out the reigning FA Cup holders.
The result was seen as a turning point for the competition, reinforcing the idea that holders were vulnerable in early rounds if they failed to take ties seriously.
Sutton United win: ~22.00
A $100 bet on Sutton United would have returned approximately $2,200
Wrexham 2–1 Arsenal (1992)
Wrexham were bottom of the Fourth Division when they hosted reigning league champions Arsenal in the third round.
Arsenal took the lead in the second half and appeared to be heading for a routine win. However, Wrexham equalised through a free kick from Mickey Thomas before Steve Watkin scored the winner minutes later.
The defeat remains one of the most cited examples of a top-flight champion being eliminated by a side at the opposite end of the Football League in the FA Cup.
Wrexham win: ~18.00
A $100 bet on Wrexham would have returned approximately $1,800
Lincoln City 1–0 Burnley (2017)
Lincoln City were a non-league side from the National League when they faced Premier League team Burnley in the fifth round.
Lincoln defended for much of the match and limited Burnley to few clear chances. They scored the only goal late in the game from a set piece, securing a place in the quarter-finals.
The win made Lincoln the first non-league side in more than 100 years to reach that stage of the FA Cup.
Lincoln City win: ~15.00
A $100 bet on Lincoln City would have returned approximately $1,500
Chelsea 2–4 Bradford City (2015)
Premier League leaders Chelsea hosted League One side Bradford City in the fourth round at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea went two goals ahead early in the second half. Bradford responded quickly and scored four times, exploiting defensive errors and a loss of control from the home side.
The result is one of the heaviest defeats suffered by a Premier League club at home to lower-league opposition in the modern FA Cup era.
Bradford City win: ~12.00
A $100 bet on Bradford City would have returned approximately $1,200
Honorable mentions
Several other results are regularly referenced when discussing FA Cup shocks.
Cambridge United 1–0 Newcastle United (1990)
Shrewsbury Town 2–1 Everton (2003)
Leicester City 2–1 Tottenham Hotspur (2006)
Each result came in the early rounds and involved a clear gap in league status at the time.
What this means for bettors
FA Cup upsets often follow recognisable patterns. Higher-league teams rotate squads, underestimate opponents or struggle with unfamiliar conditions. Lower-league sides tend to approach ties with a clear plan and little to lose.
For bettors, this makes early-round FA Cup matches particularly sensitive to context rather than form alone.
Bet on the FA Cup with Gamblr
Gamblr offers football markets across every round of the FA Cup, including match odds and live betting.
The competition is unpredictable by nature. Understanding where that unpredictability comes from is key to betting it well.
The FA Cup has always produced results that defy expectation. Knowing when that might happen is where the edge lies.