FA Cup Games on TV: Your Complete Guide to This Weekend’s Televised Matches
Introduction: The FA Cup Returns to Our Screens
The magic of the FA Cup is back on television screens across the UK this weekend, as the Premier League’s 20 teams enter the fold for the third round of the 2025-26 FA Cup tournament, which begins Friday, January 9 and runs through the weekend into Monday. For football fans, knowing where and when to watch these crucial ties has become increasingly important, particularly with recent changes to broadcasting arrangements that have reshaped how viewers access the world’s oldest football competition.
UK broadcast rights for the 2025/2026 FA Cup are split between TNT Sports / Discovery+ and the BBC, marking a significant shift in coverage. There has been a change for this season, with a vast reduction in the level of free-to-air coverage of the FA Cup in the UK. ITV has left the stage entirely, while the BBC has been limited to 14 games throughout the competition.
Where to Watch FA Cup Games on TV in the UK
Live FA Cup games on TV are shown on BBC and TNT Sports in the UK. For those seeking free-to-air coverage, BBC’s FA Cup fixtures on TV include 2 live matches from each round up to the quarter-finals, 1 semi-final and the final. This weekend, BBC One will broadcast Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace and Tottenham vs Aston Villa, providing viewers with classic David versus Goliath drama and Premier League quality respectively.
TNT Sports will have live coverage from the first round and will show every match live from the third round onwards excluding Saturday 3pm kick-offs. With 26 live games scheduled across ten days, expect some special moments as TNT Sports brings more live coverage than ever before. All matches are also available via the Discovery+ streaming platform, offering comprehensive access for subscribers.
This Weekend’s Key Fixtures and Schedule
The third round is set to take place from Friday 9 to Monday 12 January 2026, with 22 matches available for fans to watch live. Friday night’s action kicked off with Wrexham’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Nottingham Forest, one of the weekend’s headline fixtures. Saturday features multiple matches throughout the day, including early kick-offs at 12:15 GMT and evening fixtures at 17:45 GMT and 20:00 GMT.
Sunday’s schedule includes Derby County versus Leeds United and Portsmouth hosting Arsenal, whilst the action culminates on January 12th, with defending Premier League champions Liverpool hosting League One challengers Barnsley at Anfield. Following this final third-round tie, the FA Cup fourth round draw is scheduled for Monday January 12, 2026.
International Viewing Options
For viewers outside the UK, ESPN is the holder of US media rights for the FA Cup through 2028. The agreement will bring 79 FA Cup matches exclusively to ESPN+. TV channel: ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes Streaming: ESPN+ provides coverage for American audiences, whilst ESPN in the US and Stan Sport in Australia showing all games from every round of the FA Cup.
Conclusion: The Significance for Football Fans
The FA Cup’s television coverage remains crucial for millions of fans who cannot attend matches in person. Whilst the reduction in free-to-air coverage represents a challenge for casual viewers, the comprehensive TNT Sports and Discovery+ package ensures that dedicated fans can follow every moment of the competition. With giant-killing opportunities, Premier League derbies, and non-league heroics all on display, this weekend’s televised fixtures promise the drama and unpredictability that make the FA Cup a treasured part of English football culture. The matches will determine which 32 teams progress to the fourth round, setting the stage for another month of cup football excitement.