Cheltenham Town will host the 2021 FA Cup winners Leicester City in the third round of the FA Cup, with ties scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Robins manager Steve Cotterill brings a unique connection to this tie, having previously served as the first team coach at Leicester City. Following their relegation from the Premier League last season, Leicester are currently managed by Martí Cifuentes and sit 14th in the Championship.
Leicester’s squad features former Cheltenham loanees Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Aaron Ramsey, adding an extra layer of familiarity between the sides.
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Historically, Cheltenham have met Leicester twice in the 2008/09 League One season, losing both fixtures 4-0. The teams also clashed in a 2016/17 EFL Trophy match where Cheltenham’s Under-21s secured a resounding 6-1 victory over Leicester’s youth side. More recently, a 2019 friendly at Whaddon Road ended 2-1 in Leicester’s favour, despite a goal from Leicester-born Luke Varney giving Cheltenham an early lead. The Foxes’ goalscorers that day were Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton.
Another behind-closed-doors friendly in 2007 also saw Leicester triumph 2-1. Notably, Martin Allen has managed both clubs during his career.
Several players have had spells at both clubs, including Josh Low, Darren Kenton, Barry Hayles, Jonny Hayes, Curtis Davies, Callum Wright, Josh Debayo, Ellis Chapman, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, James Wesolowski, Elvis Hammond, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Aaron Ramsey, and Ben Marshall.
This upcoming match marks Cheltenham’s 11th appearance in the FA Cup third round and their first since the 2020/21 season.
The prize money at stake is £121,500 for winners, with £26,500 awarded to the losers at this stage.
Cheltenham earned their spot by defeating League One side Bradford City in the first round, courtesy of Isaac Hutchinson’s header. They then staged a thrilling comeback from 2-1 down to beat National League North side Buxton 6-2 in the second round on Saturday. In that match, Hutchinson and Jordan Thomas scored twice each, alongside goals from Robbie Cundy and Ethon Archer.
Cheltenham Town now shift focus to their League Two fixture against Swindon Town, which takes place away on Tuesday evening, kicking off at 7.45pm.