⚡Quick verdict
From 2025-26 TNT Sports is the main UK broadcaster of the FA Cup, showing most live ties from the first round proper to the final. The BBC still has 14 free ties each season, with a pair from every round through to the last eight, then one semi-final and the final itself. The 3pm Saturday blackout still applies to Cup games.
- The final at Wembley is on both the BBC and TNT Sports.
- Replays were scrapped from the first round proper in 2024-25.
- Third-round weekend in January is the busiest for TV picks.
Who shows what
| Round | TNT Sports | BBC |
|---|---|---|
| First round proper to fifth round | Most televised ties | Two ties per round |
| Quarter-finals | Most ties | Two ties |
| Semi-finals | Both | One |
| Final | Live | Live |
The rhythm of a Cup season
The qualifying rounds start in August with non-League clubs. League One and League Two sides join in the first round proper in November, and the Premier League and Championship arrive in the third round in early January, the weekend when the TV schedule is fullest. The final is at Wembley in May.
Why the BBC still matters
The BBC’s picks are often the giant-killing ties: a non-League side at home to a big club. Those are the games that keep the competition’s reputation alive, and they are free to anyone with a TV licence.
Next ties
Fixtures below show UK time and the channel where known. Picks for the later rounds are announced after each draw.
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More questions
Is the FA Cup final free to watch?
Are there still FA Cup replays?
Can I watch a 3pm FA Cup tie live?
Checked against
- SportsPro: FA Cup rights from 2025-266 Oct 2026