The time for EFL clubs to enter the FA Cup has come around, and Swindon will learn how they are to begin their cup journey on Monday evening.

The draw will take place at approximately 6.30 pm on October 19, and fans will be able to keep an eye on when Town come out of the hat as it will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.

Swindon have been designated as ball number 43, and will be able to play any team from League One, League Two, or the 32 Non-League sides who progress through the qualifying rounds, the last of which takes place this weekend.

There is still the chance of a Wiltshire derby in the first round, as Salisbury host Eastbourne Borough in the Fourth Qualifying Round this weekend for a chance to be in the hat, whilst Filozofe Mabete’s Forest Green Rovers have a trip to Chesham United.

After a prolonged period in the FA Cup duldrums, Swindon’s fortunes in this competition have improved under Ian Holloway, making it to round two before losing on penalties to Accrington Stanley in 2024/25, before going out to Salford City in the third round last year.

Town will be hoping that their luck is in this time around, as victory in those two ties would have set up lucrative away ties at Anfield and the Etihad Stadium, but the chance to test themselves against Liverpool and Manchester City was not to be.

Ollie Palmer in action as Swindon Town exited the FA Cup at Salford City last season (Image: Callum Knowles)

Prior to the last two campaigns, Swindon had only made it beyond the first round three times in the previous 12 seasons, and last year was just their second taste of round three since knocking out Premier League Wigan Athletic in 2012.

There are two ninth-tier sides still in with a hope of making the draw, in SE Dons and Tadley Calleva, but Swindon have an especially poor record against Non-League opposition, with just two wins from their last nine FA Cup matches against sides outside the top four divisions.

The First Round ties will take place on the weekend of November 7, in between Town’s home clashes with Rotherham United and Grimsby Town, with the dead-rubber Jersey Mike’s Trophy trip to Plymouth Argyle the following Tuesday.