Fa Cup Games on TV – 2025/26 UK Schedule BBC TNT

The FA Cup 2025/26 season offers extensive live television coverage across the UK, with matches broadcast on BBC, TNT Sports, and ITV. Viewers can access games through a combination of free-to-air channels and subscription services, though the availability of specific fixtures varies by round and kick-off time. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the current television schedule, broadcasting rights, and viewing options for fans following the competition.

Live FA Cup games in the UK for 2025/26 are broadcast primarily on BBC, TNT Sports via Discovery+, and ITV, with BBC offering 14 free matches streamable on BBC iPlayer and ITV providing additional free coverage on ITVX. TNT Sports covers most other matches through subscription services, with replays and highlights available on official platforms following each round.

What FA Cup Games Are on TV Today?

As of the current date, no FA Cup fixtures are scheduled for today, with the competition progressing toward the semi-final stage. The next confirmed live broadcasts are the semi-final matches scheduled for late April 2026, representing the highlight of the television calendar for this competition.

The upcoming semi-finals represent the most significant television events of the competition. Manchester City faces Southampton on Saturday, 25th April 2026 at 17:15, with the match available on BBC One, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport Website. HBO Max also carries this fixture in certain regions.

Chelsea meets Leeds United the following day, Sunday, 26th April 2026 at 15:00, with coverage on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. This match is also available through HBO Max. The 2025/26 season runs until the final on 16th May 2026.

Key Insights: FA Cup TV Coverage 2025/26

• BBC broadcasts two live matches per round from the first round through to the quarter-finals, plus one semi-final and the final
• TNT Sports covers select matches from the third round onward, excluding 3pm Saturday kick-offs, along with first and second round fixtures
• The FA Cup Final is always broadcast simultaneously for free on both BBC One and ITV
• BBC iPlayer and ITVX offer replays and on-demand content for their respective matches
• A UK TV licence is required to watch BBC iPlayer content
• No TV licence is needed for ITVX, making ITV an accessible free option
• Schedules are subject to change, with broadcasters confirming their selections closer to each round

FA Cup TV Schedule: Full Fixtures and Channels

The FA Cup 2025/26 television schedule follows a consistent pattern throughout the competition, with different broadcasters handling various rounds. Understanding which channel covers which fixtures helps viewers plan their watching schedule effectively throughout the season.

Round-by-Round Coverage

During the early rounds, TNT Sports provides comprehensive coverage of first and second round matches, with selected fixtures also appearing on BBC iPlayer. The scheduling typically distributes matches across Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning slots, allowing viewers multiple opportunities to watch live football throughout the weekend.

From the third round onward, TNT Sports handles most matches, though 3pm Saturday kick-offs remain unavailable for live broadcast due to broadcasting regulations. BBC and ITV then pick the most high-profile ties, ensuring that marquee matchups receive free-to-air coverage. This selective approach means that some smaller clubs’ runs in the competition may not receive live television coverage.

Free-to-Air Match Availability by Round

BBC and ITV concentrate their free-to-air coverage on specific rounds and high-profile fixtures. The following breakdown illustrates the typical pattern for the 2025/26 season based on current broadcasting arrangements.

FA Cup on BBC and Other Channels Today

BBC remains the primary free-to-air broadcaster for FA Cup matches, dedicating significant airtime to the competition throughout the season. The corporation offers 14 free matches across the tournament, beginning with two selections per round from the first round through to the quarter-finals, then one semi-final, and culminating with full coverage of the final on 16th May 2026.

Coverage is available through multiple platforms including BBC One for traditional television viewers and BBC iPlayer for online streaming. A valid UK TV licence is required for all BBC iPlayer viewing, a legal requirement that applies regardless of whether content is watched live or on-demand. The BBC Sport broadcast schedules page lists upcoming coverage well in advance of each round.

ITV Coverage Details

ITV provides free-to-air coverage for key fixtures throughout the later stages of the competition, with particular focus on semi-finals and the final. The channel broadcasts through its main channel and ITVX streaming service, which does not require a TV licence, making it a more accessible option for viewers who may not hold a licence.

The final receives simultaneous free broadcast on both BBC One and ITV, ensuring maximum accessibility for viewers across the UK. This arrangement has been in place for many years and represents a commitment to keeping the showpiece event available to all.

FA Cup Replays and Live Streams on TV Tonight

For viewers who miss live broadcasts, replay options are available through official platforms. BBC iPlayer offers on-demand access to selected games that were broadcast on BBC One, allowing viewers to catch up at their convenience. Similarly, ITVX provides replays of matches shown on ITV, with both services offering free access to their respective content.

Legitimate Streaming Options

Legal free streams are limited to matches covered by BBC iPlayer and ITVX, representing only those fixtures selected by free-to-air broadcasters. This means that not every FA Cup match has a free replay option. The selection process prioritises high-profile ties and matches involving Premier League clubs.

TNT Sports subscribers can access replays through Discovery+, the platform through which the service is delivered. Subscription costs approximately £30.99 per month through Discovery+ or as an add-on to existing television packages. The service also streams through Amazon Prime Video in certain configurations.

VPN services are sometimes mentioned in relation to geo-restricted content access, but these require valid subscriptions and licences to be used legitimately. Any viewer accessing content via VPN should ensure they maintain appropriate licensing arrangements for their location.

FA Cup 2025/26 TV Timeline

The television coverage timeline for the 2025/26 FA Cup follows the natural progression of the competition from early qualifying rounds through to the final. Each stage brings different broadcast patterns and channel selections.

1. First Round (October/November 2025): TNT Sports broadcasts selected matches, with some fixtures on BBC iPlayer. Early round coverage typically features lower-league clubs and emerging teams.
2. Second Round (November/December 2025): Continued TNT Sports coverage with additional BBC selections for notable ties.
3. Third Round (January 2026): Premier League clubs enter the competition; TNT Sports covers most matches except 3pm Saturday blackout games.
4. Fourth Round (February 2026): High-profile matchups receive BBC and ITV coverage alongside continued TNT Sports involvement.
5. Fifth Round (March 2026): Field narrows to 16 clubs; television coverage intensifies for remaining teams.
6. Quarter-finals (March/April 2026): BBC selects two matches per round; remaining ties on TNT Sports.
7. Semi-finals (April 2026): Both matches receive free-to-air coverage on BBC and ITV. Manchester City v Southampton on 25th April; Chelsea v Leeds United on 26th April.
8. Final (16th May 2026): Simultaneous broadcast on BBC One and ITV; culmination of the television season.

Confirmed TV Games vs Upcoming

The distinction between confirmed television fixtures and upcoming schedule announcements is important for viewers planning their watching. Several elements of the FA Cup television schedule are firmly established, while others remain subject to confirmation as the competition progresses.

Schedules are confirmed progressively as each round concludes. Broadcasters typically announce their selections a few days before each round, meaning that viewers should check official sources for the most current information when planning to watch specific matches.

FA Cup Broadcast Partners and Viewing Tips

The FA Cup benefits from established broadcast partnerships that ensure comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms. BBC, ITV, and TNT Sports operate as the primary UK broadcasters, with each channel contributing different aspects to the overall coverage strategy. According to broadcasting guides, this multi-broadcaster approach maximises access while maintaining revenue streams that support clubs at all levels of the pyramid.

For viewers seeking the best experience, combining free-to-air access with subscription services provides the most comprehensive coverage. BBC and ITV together cover the major moments of each round, while TNT Sports fills in the gaps with additional fixtures. This complementary approach ensures that fans rarely miss significant action, though it does require either a TV licence, ITVX access, or a subscription to Discovery+.

Viewing Platform Comparison

Different platforms offer different advantages for FA Cup viewing. Traditional television provides the most reliable experience with no internet dependency, while streaming services offer flexibility for viewers who prefer watching on mobile devices or computers. The choice between platforms often depends on individual circumstances and which channels hold the rights to specific matches of interest. For those interested in specific team schedules, you can find details on Arsenal’s 2025/26 third kit for the upcoming season.

For local derbies and traditional football coverage, readers may find additional context in our guide on Where to Watch Arsenal F.C. vs Tottenham – TV and Streaming Guide, which provides similar scheduling information for Premier League fixtures.

Official Sources

When seeking accurate information about FA Cup television schedules, official sources provide the most reliable guidance. The following sources are cited throughout this guide and represent the authoritative references for broadcasting information.

The FA Cup Global Broadcast Partners programme ensures comprehensive coverage of the competition across multiple regions. TNT Sports operates as the primary subscription broadcaster for UK coverage, while BBC and ITV provide extensive free-to-air options for key fixtures.

— TheFA.com Broadcast Partners

Live FA Cup games are broadcast on BBC, TNT Sports, and ITV, with BBC offering 14 free matches streamable on BBC iPlayer. TNT Sports covers most other matches via subscription through Discovery+.

— Live-FootballOnTV.com

Additional reliable sources include the Where’s The Match television schedule guide, Football On TV for UK-specific coverage, and RadioTimes for detailed programme listings. The FA Cup 2025/26 Wikipedia page provides general competition context.

Upcoming FA Cup TV Games

The next major television events in the FA Cup calendar are the semi-finals scheduled for the weekend of 25th–26th April 2026. These fixtures represent the penultimate stage before the final and consistently attract significant viewership through both free-to-air and subscription channels.

Saturday’s match between Manchester City and Southampton will be available on BBC One with full surrounding coverage, while Sunday’s encounter between Chelsea and Leeds United will be shown on TNT Sports platforms. The Where to Watch Arsenal F.C. vs Tottenham – TV & Stream Guide offers additional context for viewers interested in comparing coverage across different competitions.

Following the semi-finals, the final on 16th May 2026 will mark the culmination of the television season for the FA Cup, with both BBC One and ITV providing simultaneous free coverage. Viewers should monitor official broadcaster schedules for any schedule adjustments that may occur as the competition reaches its climax.

Frequently Asked Questions