The list of accepted clubs and round exemptions has also been released, while the early draws for the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds will be published on Tuesday 18 August.

Widnes will enter the competition in the preliminary round, which will take place on Saturday 12 September - one week before the Northern Premier League's slated kick-off.

In order to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the 2020-21 season in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. This also applies to the entirety of the Buildbase FA Trophy 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.

The schedule for the qualifying rounds of the Emirates FA Cup is as follows:

Extra preliminary round: Tuesday 1 September 2020
Preliminary round: Saturday 12 September 2020
First round qualifying: Tuesday 22 September 2020
Second round qualifying: Saturday 3 October 2020
Third round qualifying: Tuesday 13 October 2020
Fourth round qualifying: Saturday 24 October 2020

The FA Trophy will get underway on Saturday 26 September, with Widnes entering the competition at the first round qualifying stage.

The schedule for the Buildbase FA Trophy is as follows:

First round qualifying: Saturday 26 September 2020
Second round qualifying: Saturday 17 October 2020
Third round qualifying: Saturday 31 October 2020
First round proper: Saturday 14 November 2020
Second round proper: Saturday 5 December 2020
Third round proper: Saturday 19 December 2020
Fourth round proper: Saturday 16 January 2021
Fifth round proper: Saturday 6 February 2021
Quarter-final: Saturday 27 February 2021
Semi-final: Saturday 27 March 2021
Final: Saturday 8 May 2021