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

For fans across the United Kingdom, catching FA Cup action on television remains straightforward once you know which channels hold the rights and what matches are scheduled. The 2025/26 season continues to deliver high-profile ties, with the competition now heading toward its semi-final stage at Wembley Stadium. Understanding the broadcast landscape helps viewers plan their weekend viewing without missing a kick.

The Football Association has structured its current television deal to ensure a mix of free-to-air and subscription coverage throughout the tournament. BBC and TNT Sports operate as the primary rights holders for UK audiences, with streaming now consolidated through platforms including Max and discovery+. The arrangement means some matches remain accessible to all viewers, while others require a paid subscription.

No FA Cup fixtures are currently scheduled for today, Friday, April 17, 2026. The competition takes a brief pause before resuming with its semi-final stage over the weekend of April 25-26. Fans seeking live action should monitor official broadcaster listings for the latest scheduling updates, as kick-off times and channel assignments can occasionally shift.

What FA Cup Games Are on TV Today?

As things stand, no FA Cup matches are scheduled for today. The competition is in a hiatus period following the completion of its quarter-final round in early April. The next fixtures on the calendar are the two semi-final encounters scheduled for the weekend of April 25-26, 2026.

Key Insights for FA Cup Viewers

• BBC provides free-to-air coverage for two matches per round up to the quarter-finals, plus one semi-final and shared rights to the final
• TNT Sports offers live coverage from the first round onward, with every match shown from the third round stage
• TNT Sports streams its games via Max, discovery+, and Amazon Prime Video platforms
• ITV no longer holds any FA Cup broadcast rights for the 2025/26 season
• Three o’clock Saturday kick-offs are generally protected and not shown live on television
• Official FA sources remain the most reliable place to confirm fixtures and any last-minute changes
• BBC iPlayer remains the primary free option for fans seeking to watch matches without a subscription

Current FA Cup Broadcast Snapshot

Which Channels Show FA Cup Matches?

The FA Cup broadcast landscape in the United Kingdom centres on two primary rights holders: BBC and TNT Sports. These two broadcasters have consolidated their coverage under a partnership that places TNT Sports content on Max as of March 2026, alongside the traditional television channels.

BBC Coverage Details

BBC operates as the free-to-air option for FA Cup fans, making select matches available without charge on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer streaming platform. The broadcaster typically selects two matches per round for live coverage through to the quarter-finals stage. Its involvement extends to one semi-final and shared rights to the final, ensuring that at least part of the competition remains accessible to all television viewers regardless of subscription status. The arrangement reflects a long-standing commitment by the BBC to broadcast prestigious cup competitions as part of its public service remit.

TNT Sports Coverage

TNT Sports has assumed the role of comprehensive rights holder, covering matches from the first round onward and ensuring every game is shown live from the third round stage. The sole exception involves the traditional 3pm Saturday blackout, which protects match-going attendances at lower league clubs and remains respected under the current broadcast agreement.

Streaming options through TNT Sports have expanded in recent seasons, with content now available across multiple platforms. Subscribers can access matches through Max, discovery+, and Amazon Prime Video. BT Broadband customers may also benefit from add-on packages that include TNT Sports access.

ITV Absence

ITV, which previously provided free-to-air FA Cup coverage alongside the BBC, no longer holds any broadcast rights for the 2025/26 season. The broadcaster has exited its former partnership, leaving the BBC-TNT Sports arrangement as the sole UK broadcaster for the competition. This shift means viewers seeking live coverage must work within the current BBC and TNT Sports framework.

How to Watch FA Cup Live Streams and Replays?

Accessing live FA Cup coverage depends largely on which matches you wish to watch and whether you have a subscription to the relevant platform. Understanding the options available helps fans make informed decisions about how to follow the competition.

Free Streaming Options

BBC iPlayer remains the primary free streaming destination for FA Cup viewers in the United Kingdom. Whenever the BBC selects a match for live coverage, that game becomes available to stream at no charge through the BBC iPlayer platform. This applies to both the live broadcast and subsequent on-demand viewing for a limited period after the match concludes.

The platform requires only a free account to access content, making it the most accessible option for fans who wish to avoid subscription costs. However, it is worth noting that the BBC selects only a limited number of matches per round, meaning many fixtures will not be available through this route.

Subscription Streaming Services

TNT Sports matches can be streamed through several platforms following the broadcaster’s partnership with Max and other services. Subscribers to Max, discovery+, or Amazon Prime Video can access live FA Cup coverage as part of their existing subscription. New subscribers should verify which platform offers the best value for their needs, as packages and pricing vary.

BT Broadband customers may find that TNT Sports forms part of their existing service package, potentially avoiding additional subscription costs. Those without existing access should compare current promotional offers across platforms before committing to a subscription.

Replay and Highlight Options

Replays of FA Cup matches in proper rounds are no longer available following an agreement introduced in the 2024/25 season. This change was implemented to protect match attendances and encourage supporters to attend games in person rather than relying on television replays.

Highlights remain accessible through several routes. BBC iPlayer offers match highlights free of charge for games broadcast on BBC channels. TNT Sports and Max subscribers can access extended highlights and match clips through their respective apps. ITVX provides some content but holds no live rights, meaning its coverage is limited to highlights only.

FA Cup TV Schedule Overview

The FA Cup follows a structured broadcast schedule throughout the season, with coverage ramping up as the competition progresses toward its conclusion at Wembley Stadium. Understanding this schedule helps fans plan their viewing well in advance of each round.

Semi-Final Fixtures

The upcoming semi-finals represent the next major broadcast opportunity for FA Cup viewers. Two matches are scheduled across the weekend of April 25-26, 2026, with both games set to receive comprehensive television coverage.

Recent Quarter-Final Coverage

The quarter-finals, played on April 4-5, 2026, provided a mix of free and subscription coverage. Manchester City faced Liverpool in an early afternoon kick-off available exclusively through TNT Sports and Max. Chelsea’s tie against Port Vale and Southampton’s match against Arsenal both received free coverage through BBC One and BBC iPlayer, demonstrating the broadcaster’s commitment to making marquee fixtures accessible to all viewers.

The FA Cup Broadcast Timeline

The FA Cup television schedule follows the progression of the competition itself, moving from early qualifying rounds through to the prestigious final at Wembley Stadium. Each stage brings different broadcast priorities and viewing opportunities.

1. First Round (October-November 2025): TNT Sports begins its comprehensive coverage, selecting matches including Luton Town versus Forest Green Rovers on October 31 and Brackley Town versus Notts County on November 1
2. Third Round Stage (January 2026): BBC enters the schedule with select matches, while TNT Sports ensures every tie receives coverage
3. Quarter-Finals (April 4-5, 2026): Mix of free BBC coverage and TNT Sports subscription matches, including high-profile Manchester City v Liverpool fixture
4. Semi-Finals (April 25-26, 2026): Manchester City v Southampton on BBC One, TNT Sports, and streaming platforms; Chelsea v Leeds United primarily on TNT Sports
5. Final (Date TBC): Shared coverage between BBC and TNT Sports, traditionally shown on BBC One for free-to-air audiences

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Transparency about what is confirmed versus what remains uncertain helps readers form realistic expectations about FA Cup broadcast coverage. The following overview distinguishes established facts from areas where information may change.

Understanding FA Cup Broadcasting Rights

The current broadcast arrangement for the FA Cup reflects broader trends in sports television, where traditional broadcasters partner with streaming platforms to reach audiences across multiple devices. The BBC-TNT Sports partnership ensures that some fixtures reach the widest possible audience through free-to-air coverage, while subscription services fund the comprehensive coverage that brings every round to screens nationwide.

The Football Association has maintained relationships with global broadcast partners beyond the United Kingdom, extending the competition’s reach to international audiences. However, for viewers within the UK, the BBC-TNT Sports framework represents the complete picture for live and on-demand coverage of FA Cup fixtures.

Sources and Official References

BBC’s FA Cup fixtures on television include two live matches per round up to the quarter-finals, one semi-final, and shared coverage of the final.

— Live-FootballOnTV.com, broadcast listings

TNT Sports covers every match live from the third round onward, excluding 3pm Saturday kick-offs, with streaming available via Max and discovery+.

— FourFourTwo, FA Cup TV guide

Official FA sources confirm fixtures with live broadcast indicators, helping viewers identify which matches will receive television coverage. BBC Sport publishes upcoming broadcast schedules, while TheFA.com maintains fixture lists that include channel information where applicable.

Summary: Planning Your FA Cup Viewing

For those looking to follow FA Cup action in the United Kingdom, the most straightforward approach involves identifying which matches receive BBC coverage and accessing those through BBC One or BBC iPlayer free of charge. All other fixtures require a subscription to TNT Sports via Max, discovery+, or Amazon Prime Video.

The semi-finals on April 25-26 represent the next major broadcast opportunity, with Manchester City v Southampton available across multiple channels including BBC One. Fans should verify schedules through official broadcaster listings before each matchday, as kick-off times and channel assignments can occasionally change. Those with specific questions about delivery services or timing might find related information in our guide on whether Royal Mail delivers on Saturday, though this topic focuses primarily on postal services rather than sports broadcasting.

Frequently Asked Questions