SAINTS are back in FA Cup action this weekend as they host Championship outfit Swansea City in the third round of the competition.

Under former boss Russell Martin, Saints reached the fifth round of the tournament last campaign before defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in March.

The FA Cup's rules have slightly changed this season with English football's rule-makers deciding to scrap replays from the first round onwards.

Ahead of Sunday's meeting at St Mary's, which kicks off at 4:30pm, here is everything you need to know about the FA Cup in the 2024/25 season...

Are there extra-time, penalties and replays this season?

As the FA have scrapped replays from the first round proper of the competition this season, a winner will be determined on the day of all ties.

If the scores are level after 90 minutes, a period of 30 minutes of extra time will be played with a penalty shootout to follow if a winner can not be found.

When is each FA Cup round scheduled to be played?

All FA Cup rounds will now be played on a weekend following the last five seasons, in which the fifth round has been hosted exclusively midweek.

With that being said, the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of FA Cup football.

The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, in addition to the final.

Third Round - Saturday, January 11.

Fourth Round - Saturday, February 8.

Fifth Round - Saturday, March 1.

Quarter-final - Saturday, March 29.

Semi-final - Saturday, April 26.

Final - Saturday, May 17.

Where can fixtures be watched on television in England?

In the UK, BBC Sport will televise at least 18 live matches per season while ITV Sport will televise at least 20 live matches per season.

Southampton's third-round tie against Swansea will be shown live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

How much prize money can clubs win in the FA Cup?

Third Round losers - £25,000

Third Round winners - £115,000

Fourth Round winners - £120,000

Fifth Round winners - £225,000

Quarter-final winners £450,000

Semi-final losers - £500,000

Semi-final winners - £1,000,000

Final runners-up - £1,000,000

Final winners - £2,000,000

What matchday rules are there for competing teams?

While team news is published 75 minutes before kick-off in the Premier League this season, the FA Cup sees that revert back to 60 minutes.

Teams will be allowed to make five substitutes in 90 minutes, with an additional substitute allowed if a player is deemed to have suffered a concussion.

They can name a bench of nine substitutes and, as is the case in the Premier League, managers can only use three windows to make their five changes.

An away club competing in the FA Cup shall have the right to claim up to 15 per cent of the tickets issued up to a maximum of 9,000 for its supporters.

Gate receipts will be divided as 55 per cent to the club competing outside of the Premier League or EFL and 45 per cent to the club competing in the Premier League or EFL.