Complete UK Guide · 2025/26

FA Cup on TV UK — BBC, ITV & TNT Sports Guide

The FA Cup is the most accessible major football competition on UK TV — many rounds are free on BBC and ITV. This guide explains exactly which rounds are free, which require a subscription, and where to find tonight’s confirmed listings.

✅ Good news: The FA Cup is the only major football competition where UK fans can watch multiple rounds completely free on BBC One and ITV — no subscription needed.

Which rounds are free to watch in the UK?

Round	Broadcaster	Free to watch?	Notes
Third Round	BBC / ITV / TNT	Partial	Selected matches on BBC and ITV free; others on TNT Sports
Fourth Round	BBC / ITV / TNT	Partial	Selected matches on BBC and ITV free; others on TNT Sports
Fifth Round	BBC / ITV / TNT	Partial	Broadcast split between all three broadcasters
Quarter-finals	BBC / ITV / TNT	Partial	High-profile matches; BBC and ITV typically take the biggest fixtures
Semi-finals	BBC / ITV	Free	Both semi-finals typically broadcast free on BBC or ITV
Final	BBC + ITV	Free	Shown simultaneously on BBC One and ITV — completely free

ℹ️ Exact broadcast allocations are confirmed by the FA and broadcasters each round. Our FA Cup TV schedule is updated with confirmed listings as soon as they are announced.

Who broadcasts the FA Cup in the UK?

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BBC One / iPlayer

Free — TV licence required

BBC typically broadcasts the most high-profile FA Cup ties each round, often featuring Premier League clubs. The FA Cup Final is always on BBC One. Available live on iPlayer at the same time as broadcast.

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ITV / ITVX

Completely free — no licence

ITV also holds FA Cup broadcasting rights and typically shows selected matches each round. The FA Cup Final is also on ITV simultaneously with BBC. Streamable free on ITVX — no TV licence required.

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TNT Sports

Subscription required (~£31/mo)

TNT Sports broadcasts the remaining FA Cup matches not selected by BBC or ITV. This usually means lower-profile ties in the earlier rounds or fixtures where the free-to-air slots are already taken.

The FA Cup Final — always free on UK TV

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The FA Cup Final is free to watch in the UK

Every year, the FA Cup Final is broadcast simultaneously on BBC One and ITV — both completely free. It’s one of the few major football events that all UK fans can watch live without a subscription, regardless of which broadcaster they prefer.

How to watch FA Cup matches for free

When the FA Cup is assigned to BBC or ITV, you can watch it in several ways at no cost:

📺 BBC One live: Watch on your TV — requires a valid UK TV licence.
📱 BBC iPlayer: Stream live or on demand on phone, tablet, Smart TV or PC — also requires a TV licence.
📱 ITVX: Watch ITV’s FA Cup coverage completely free — no TV licence required. Available on all devices.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Is the FA Cup Final free to watch in the UK?

Yes. The FA Cup Final is always broadcast free on both BBC One and ITV simultaneously. No subscription is required — it is one of the UK’s most accessible major sporting events.

❓ Do I need TNT Sports to watch the FA Cup?

Not necessarily. BBC and ITV cover the majority of FA Cup matches in the later rounds for free. TNT Sports broadcasts the ties that are not selected by the free-to-air broadcasters, mainly in the earlier rounds.

❓ Can I watch FA Cup matches on my phone for free?

Yes. BBC iPlayer (with a TV licence) and ITVX (completely free) both stream FA Cup matches live on mobile. Download the apps on iOS or Android.

❓ Why are some FA Cup matches on TNT Sports and not free?

The FA Cup rights are shared between BBC, ITV and TNT Sports. BBC and ITV select the matches they want — usually the biggest fixtures — and TNT Sports broadcasts the remaining ties. The free-to-air broadcasters typically prioritise Premier League club involvement and high-profile matchups.

❓ How do I know which channel has the FA Cup match I want to watch?

Our FA Cup TV schedule is updated with confirmed broadcaster details as soon as they are announced for each round.