BBC Sport has announced a four-year deal commencing from the 2025-26 season to maintain its free-to-air broadcast of the FA Cup.

There will also be highlights and digital clips available across all of the BBC platforms.

In partnership with TNT Sports, who won the FA Cup rights back in February, BBC Sport will screen 14 games per season, including the final at Wembley Stadium, and thus adhering to the UK broadcasting rules that the FA Cup Final must be screened free-to-air.

There will also be highlights and digital clips available across all of the BBC platforms.

In addition to the final, BBC Sport will broadcast two live matches from each round leading up to the quarter-finals, as well as one semi-final. This continuation builds upon BBC Sport’s decade-long commitment to airing the FA Cup on free-to-air platforms.

Interim director of BBC Sport, Philip Bernie, expressed pride in the network’s tradition of providing free FA Cup coverage to all fans. He hailed the new partnership as excellent news, emphasizing BBC Sport’s commitment to delivering top-notch analysis, commentary, and coverage of major football competitions, ensuring accessibility for all viewers. Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association, echoed Bernie’s sentiments, expressing anticipation for further historic collaborations with BBC Sport.

Trojan Paillot, SVP Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndication WBD Sports Europe, said:
“TNT Sports will broadcast every single game outside of 3pm kick-offs, starting from the first round, ensuring fans can watch more of the Emirates FA Cup than ever before all in one place. Our ambition is to make more of the live Emirates FA Cup action available to fans than ever before, so the BBC are an outstanding partner to ensure that alongside more games we also make the competition as widely available as possible.”

The FA Cup will be recognised as the oldest national football competition in the world, having first been played in the 1871–72 season. It will have been created by the Football Association to provide a knockout tournament open to clubs across England, helping to shape the early structure of organised football. The first FA Cup Final will have taken place in March 1872 at Kennington Oval in London, where Wanderers FC will have defeated Royal Engineers 1–0. That victory will have made Wanderers the first winners of the competition, and they will go on to dominate the early years of the tournament.

Over time, the FA Cup will become famous for its tradition, giant-killing upsets, and ability to bring together clubs from all levels of the English football pyramid. Arsenal will stand as the most successful club in FA Cup history, having won the trophy a record 14 times, while also appearing in the final on more occasions than any other side. Manchester United will follow closely, holding multiple wins and finals, and remaining one of the competition’s most consistent performers.

Individual records will also define the tournament’s history. Ashley Cole will be remembered as the most successful player, winning the FA Cup seven times with Arsenal and Chelsea. The competition will continue to be celebrated for its heritage, dramatic moments, and lasting importance to English football culture.