FA Cup on TV: 2025/26 UK Schedule & Channels

The 2025/26 FA Cup season brings major changes to how fans can watch England’s historic knockout competition. TNT Sports now leads broadcast coverage following a reported £264 million deal, while BBC Sport continues offering free-to-air access and ITV has exited the competition entirely.

For viewers seeking to follow the action from the First Round Proper through to the final at Wembley, understanding which channels carry specific rounds has become essential. This guide covers the complete TV schedule, where to find free streams legally, and what to expect from the semi-final fixtures in April 2026.

Whether you’re looking for BBC coverage today, checking if the Manchester City Southampton FA Cup fixture appears on TNT Sports, or simply want the confirmed TV picks for upcoming rounds, this article consolidates everything you need to watch without interruption.

Which Channels Show the FA Cup Live?

The current broadcasting landscape for the FA Cup reflects a significant shift from previous seasons. TNT Sports has assumed primary rights holder status under a substantial deal with the Football Association, fundamentally altering how matches reach audiences across the United Kingdom.

FA Cup TV Schedule Today and Tomorrow

Checking the FA Cup TV schedule for immediate viewing requires understanding how the rounds align with broadcaster selections. The Third Round Proper, traditionally the stage where Premier League clubs enter the competition, generates the most broadcast interest and typically receives the widest coverage across available channels.

For those wondering about fixtures on TV tomorrow or later this week, broadcaster announcements typically arrive 24–48 hours before scheduled matches. The BBC Media Centre publishes confirmed selections through their official channels, while TNT Sports updates their schedule through their streaming platforms and partner websites.

Viewers should note that BBC Sport’s FA Cup coverage concentrates on marquee fixtures featuring top-flight clubs, particularly those involving teams currently competing in European competitions or those with substantial supporter bases.

Understanding the UK Blackout Rule

The longstanding Saturday 3pm blackout prevents any live football broadcasts within the specified time window across UK channels. This rule exists to protect attendance at lower-league matches throughout the country and remains firmly enforced by broadcasting regulators.

Consequently, FA Cup matches scheduled for Saturday 3pm kicks cannot be shown live on UK television regardless of the teams involved or broadcaster rights. This limitation means some Third Round and later round fixtures may receive delayed coverage or be moved to alternative kick-off times to accommodate broadcast requirements.

Free vs Premium Access

BBC’s continued involvement ensures that at least two matches per round remain freely accessible without subscription costs. This represents a crucial pathway for fans who prefer watching on traditional television or through the BBC iPlayer platform without additional charges.

Premium access through TNT Sports, whether via traditional satellite or cable packages, discovery+ subscriptions, or HBO Max streaming, unlocks the complete range of live FA Cup coverage including exclusive first-pick matches and additional studio programming surrounding major fixtures.

How to Watch FA Cup Semi-Finals on TV?

The semi-final stage represents one of the most-watched periods of the FA Cup calendar, with both remaining matches receiving extensive television coverage across multiple platforms. For the 2025/26 season, the semi-finals are scheduled for April 2026, with one fixture already confirmed.

Confirmed Semi-Final: Chelsea v Leeds United

Chelsea’s clash with Leeds United represents a compelling tie between two clubs with rich FA Cup histories. The fixture is scheduled for Sunday, 26 April 2026 at 3pm, with TNT Sports confirmed as the primary broadcaster.

Viewers can access this match through TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, or the HBO Max streaming platform. Given the historical significance of both clubs in FA Cup competitions, this semi-final is expected to generate substantial viewership numbers across all available platforms.

Semi-Final Broadcast Access

BBC’s commitment to free-to-air coverage includes one semi-final per season, ensuring that at least one of the last-two standing matches remains accessible to viewers without subscription requirements. For 2025/26, this allocation is expected to apply to one of the semi-final fixtures, though specific assignments had not been confirmed.

The BBC Media Centre publishes dedicated guides for each semi-final broadcast, including scheduled presenters, match analysis teams, and alternative audio descriptions for visually impaired viewers.

Manchester City vs Southampton FA Cup on TV?

The FA Cup fixture between Manchester City and Southampton has been confirmed as an upcoming match in the 2025/26 competition calendar. Given Manchester City’s status as recent FA Cup winners and their continued presence among English football’s elite, this match has attracted significant broadcast interest.

Viewers can access Manchester City Southampton coverage through multiple platforms depending on broadcaster selection. BBC One and BBC iPlayer will provide free-to-air options if the match receives their allocation, while TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max offer premium alternatives for those with existing subscriptions.

For those planning ahead, understanding the potential broadcast windows helps in making informed decisions about subscription requirements or scheduling viewing arrangements. The third-round stage typically features these high-profile ties, though fixture sequencing depends on draw outcomes and stadium availability.

Historical Context of This Fixture

Meetings between Manchester City and Southampton in cup competitions have produced memorable moments in recent seasons. The disparity in league positions often influences broadcasting decisions, with schedulers typically favouring matches featuring clubs competing at different levels of the English football pyramid.

Southampton’s participation in this fixture indicates their current league positioning and cup pedigree. The Saints, despite recent Premier League challenges, have demonstrated cup-fighting capability that makes their clashes with top-tier opposition compelling viewing for neutral supporters.

2025/26 FA Cup Broadcast Timeline

A clear understanding of the competition timeline helps viewers plan their broadcast viewing throughout the season. The following chronological markers represent key moments when TV coverage becomes particularly concentrated.

1. First Round Proper – Early November 2025: Lower league clubs feature, selected TNT Sports coverage
2. Third Round Weekend – 9–12 January 2026: Premier League clubs enter, maximum broadcaster interest
3. Fourth Round – Late January 2026: Potential giant-killings, expanded coverage
4. Fifth Round – Mid-February 2026: Remaining 16 clubs, heightened drama
5. Quarter-finals – Mid-to-late March 2026: Eight clubs remain, major broadcast slots
6. Semi-finals – April 2026: Four clubs, Wembley Stadium, split coverage between BBC and TNT
7. Final at Wembley – 16 May 2026: Season culmination, combined BBC One and TNT Sports coverage

What Information Remains Confirmed and Uncertain

Transparency about what we know definitively versus what remains subject to change serves readers seeking reliable guidance for their viewing plans. The following assessment separates established facts from pending confirmations.

The Changing Landscape of FA Cup Broadcasting

The 2025/26 season marks a significant transition in how the FA Cup reaches television audiences. The departure of ITV, which had provided free-to-air coverage for decades, represents the most substantial change in the competition’s broadcast history since the introduction of satellite television.

TNT Sports’ expanded role as primary rights holder reflects broader trends in sports broadcasting where subscription-based platforms increasingly dominate premium live content. The £264 million investment demonstrates the FA’s confidence in the competition’s continued appeal despite changing viewer habits and increasing competition from streaming services.

BBC’s retention of free-to-air rights, while reduced in scope, ensures that key FA Cup moments remain accessible to households without premium subscriptions. This balance between commercial viability and public accessibility has become a central tension in modern sports broadcasting negotiations.

Official Sources and References

This article draws information from official broadcaster announcements and established football media sources. Readers seeking the most current updates should consult these primary channels directly.

The FA has partnered with TNT Sports in the most significant broadcast deal in the competition’s history, ensuring comprehensive coverage across traditional and streaming platforms while maintaining free-to-air access through BBC.

— FA Broadcast Partners Statement, 2025

• BBC Sport – FA Cup Coverage
• The FA – Official Competition Website
• Live Football on TV – FA Cup Schedule
• FourFourTwo – FA Cup TV Guide
• Scores24 – FA Cup TV Schedule 2025/26

Summary and Viewing Recommendations

The 2025/26 FA Cup season offers comprehensive television coverage through TNT Sports and BBC, though with notably reduced free-to-air options compared to previous campaigns. Viewers should ensure they have appropriate access to both broadcasters to follow the competition fully, particularly during the semi-final and final stages.

For those seeking additional football coverage, Man U vs Newcastle 2025/26 provides relevant context for other major cup fixtures during the same period.

Sophie ChenStaff Writer

Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.