One of the world’s oldest sporting competitions resumes this week when the FA Cup kicks off its third round.

The tournament was first contested during the 1871-72 season, when Wanderers F.C. defeated Royal Engineers A.F.C. in the final of the 15-team tournament at London’s Kennington Oval.

More than 150 years later, 732 teams will take part in this season’s version of English soccer’s top club competition, with the final slated for May 25 at Wembley Stadium.

Here’s what you need to know about the third round of the FA Cup.

Single-elimination format

The 32 matches that make up the third round are all single elimination and not two-legged, home-and-away affairs.

If a team loses, it’s eliminated. But if a game is tied after 90 minutes of regulation time, a replay match will be scheduled at a later date where extra time and penalty kicks (if necessary) will determine the winner.

Premier League clubs set to enter the mix

As is the tradition, the numerous qualifying rounds and the first two proper rounds of the FA Cup exclusively featured teams from across England’s lower tiers.

The third round is when all 20 Premier League clubs and all 24 sides from the Championship (second division) join the fray after receiving byes in the earlier stages.

The 44 teams from the top two divisions join the 20 winners from the second round, which includes the lowest-ranked club left in the competition: Maidstone United F.C., which competes in the sixth division. The third round also features a trio of clubs from the fifth division: Chesterfield F.C., Eastleigh F.C. and Aldershot Town F.C.

Crystal Palace vs. Everton kicks........

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