FA Cup on TV – Complete Schedule and How to Watch 2025/26

Finding an FA Cup match on television used to mean checking between BBC, ITV, and BT Sport. For the 2025/26 season, the broadcast map has been redrawn. ITV is no longer part of the UK rights package, while TNT Sports has become the primary live broadcaster. The BBC remains the free-to-air home of the competition, showing 14 live matches per season including the final.

A four-year agreement between the Football Association, BBC, and TNT Sports began with the 2025/26 campaign. According to the FA, the partnership is designed to let fans see more matches live than ever before. The qualifying rounds remain outside the central contract and are sold individually by home clubs, meaning coverage in those early stages can vary.

What Channel Is the FA Cup on Today?

• BBC and TNT Sports share free-to-air and pay-TV coverage of the FA Cup from 2025/26.
• ITV is not part of the current rights arrangement and no longer shows FA Cup matches.
• BBC broadcasts two live matches per round through the quarter-finals, plus one semi-final and the final.
• TNT Sports shows every match outside the Saturday 3pm blackout from the First Round onward.
• From the Third Round, TNT Sports carries essentially the full competition live except 3pm Saturday games.
• Highlights are available on BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports platforms, and the FA’s official channels.
• The Saturday 3pm blackout remains a factor in UK football broadcasting.

BBC FA Cup Live Matches Today

BBC broadcasts two live matches per round up to the quarter-finals under the new agreement. All live BBC matches are available on BBC One and simultaneously on BBC iPlayer. The BBC also holds rights to highlights and digital clips across its platforms. For today’s schedule, the most reliable source is the official BBC Sport FA Cup page.

ITV FA Cup Live Matches Today

ITV is not part of the 2025/26 rights arrangement. The competition’s free-to-air exposure is now through the BBC only. Viewers who previously watched FA Cup matches on ITV will need to switch to BBC or TNT Sports this season.

TNT Sports FA Cup Matches Today

TNT Sports shows live matches from the First Round and every game from the Third Round onward outside the Saturday 3pm slot. The broadcaster also covers the FA Community Shield and the FA Youth Cup Semi-Finals and Final. Check the official TNT Sports FA Cup schedule for match times.

How Can I Watch FA Cup Highlights on TV?

BBC iPlayer and BBC One Highlights

Highlights are part of the BBC’s rights package. They are typically shown on BBC One and are available on-demand via BBC iPlayer. The BBC iPlayer FA Cup page provides access to all BBC broadcast content, including match highlights and digital clips.

TNT Sports Highlights

TNT Sports has confirmed that highlights of every game it broadcasts will be made available. These can be accessed through the TNT Sports app and website, typically shortly after the final whistle.

Who Is Broadcasting the FA Cup in the UK?

BBC Free-to-Air Coverage

The BBC is the sole free-to-air broadcaster of the FA Cup in the UK for the 2025/26 season. Its package includes 14 live matches per season: two live matches from each round through the quarter-finals, one semi-final, and the final. The BBC also retains audio rights and commentary via 5 Live until 2026.

ITV Shared Rights

ITV lost the FA Cup rights for this cycle and is no longer part of the UK TV coverage. No FA Cup matches appear on ITV1, ITV4, or ITVX during the 2025/26 season.

TNT Sports Pay-TV Coverage

TNT Sports is the primary pay-TV broadcaster. It shows live matches from the First Round and every game from the Third Round onward outside the Saturday 3pm blackout. TNT Sports also broadcasts the FA Community Shield and the FA Youth Cup Semi-Finals and Final. The FA’s official broadcast partners page is the authoritative source for the full picture: The FA – Emirates FA Cup Global Broadcast Partners.

What FA Cup Games Are on TV This Week?

Fixtures This Week on BBC

BBC typically announces its fixture selections two to three weeks in advance. The official BBC Sport website provides the most up-to-date schedule. Because specific match kick-off times can change due to TV selections, it is advisable to confirm times closer to matchday.

Fixtures This Week on TNT Sports

TNT Sports publishes all match times on its website and app. The broadcaster covers every match outside the 3pm Saturday slot, so the full fixture list for the week is generally available there well in advance.

Global Viewing Options

For viewers outside the UK, ESPN is the exclusive rights-holder in the United States for the 2025/26 season. The FA’s official global broadcast partners list is the most reliable source for other regions, though it may not cover all streaming services.

Is the FA Cup Final on Free-to-Air TV?

BBC Broadcast

Yes, the FA Cup Final is on free-to-air television. The BBC broadcasts the final live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. This ensures wide accessibility for UK viewers. The 2025/26 men’s final is scheduled for 17 May 2026.

Women’s FA Cup Final

The Women’s FA Cup Final is also on free-to-air TV as part of the BBC’s coverage. It is scheduled for 4 May 2026. Selected women’s FA Cup matches are also included in the BBC and TNT Sports packages.

How to Watch FA Cup Matches Outside the UK?

US Viewing Options

In the United States, ESPN holds the exclusive rights for the 2025/26 season. This includes live matches and, depending on the agreement, select streaming coverage via ESPN+.

Other Regions

The FA’s official broadcast partners page lists broadcasters by country. This list is updated annually and covers most major territories. Some matches may also be available via official YouTube channels, though this is not guaranteed for every round.

FA Cup Broadcast Rights Timeline (2021–2026)

1. 2021-22: BBC and BT Sport (now TNT Sports) share rights; no ITV involvement.
2. 2024-25: ITV joins BBC for free-to-air final and selected rounds.
3. 2025-26: ITV loses rights. BBC retains 14 live matches per season. TNT Sports becomes primary live broadcaster. Four-year deal begins.
4. 2026-27: Current arrangement continues; TNT Sports retains majority of matches.
5. Next rights tender: Expected by 2027 for the 2028/29 season.

What Is Certain and What Remains Uncertain About FA Cup TV Coverage?

How Has the FA Cup TV Landscape Evolved?

The FA Cup’s television history has moved from exclusive pay-TV to a shared free-to-air model that increases accessibility. The 2025/26 cycle marks a clear break from the previous arrangement, with ITV exiting and TNT Sports taking a dominant role alongside the BBC. The FA has emphasised that the new partnership allows fans to see more matches live than ever before. User queries consistently focus on immediate live match availability, which reflects the need for real-time schedule tools as the broadcasting landscape shifts.

What Do the Official Sources Say?

“The Final between Chelsea and Manchester City takes place on Saturday 16 May, and you can find out how to watch it across the world here.”

The FA Official Broadcast Partners page

“2026 Men’s & Women’s FA Cup Finals – Watch with 5 Live: Final: Chelsea v …”

BBC iPlayer FA Cup page

“Live FA Cup games on TV are shown on BBC and TNT Sports in the UK.”

Live Football on TV

Summary: How to Watch the FA Cup on TV in 2025/26

For the 2025/26 FA Cup season in the UK, BBC is the free-to-air broadcaster offering live games, highlights, clips, the final, one semi-final, and selected matches each round. TNT Sports is the primary live broadcaster, covering most matches from the First Round onward. ITV has no FA Cup rights in this cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions About FA Cup on TV