The FA Cup reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend, with four exciting ties scheduled across Saturday 4 April and Sunday 5 April 2026. The The Football Association has confirmed the full match schedule, along with UK television coverage, giving fans a packed weekend of knockout football.

One notable highlight is a rare Saturday evening double-header on BBC One, where the broadcaster will show two FA Cup matches back-to-back in prime time — something that doesn’t happen often in domestic football coverage.

All four matches will also be available on TNT Sports, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the competition’s last eight.

Watching the FA Cup Abroad

For viewers watching UK TV abroad via satellite, Freesat, or internet TV services, this means a full weekend of FA Cup action.

For viewers watching UK TV abroad, there is also an important difference between satellite broadcasts and internet-based TV systems. When watching channels like BBC One or TNT Sports via satellite on platforms such as Freesat, the signal arrives almost in real time, typically only a few seconds behind the action in the stadium.

However, many internet TV systems — including some streaming services and pirate IPTV feeds — rely on capturing the broadcast, re-encoding it, and sending it across the internet. This process introduces delays from buffering and redistribution, meaning the picture can arrive 30 seconds to several minutes behind the real broadcast.

This delay is one reason why some pubs using internet TV systems struggle to attract football crowds. Fans quickly notice that nearby venues showing the match via direct satellite reception are displaying goals and key moments well before the internet streams, sometimes minutes earlier. In busy match environments where supporters want to experience the action live with everyone else, that difference can be enough to send viewers to pubs using satellite feeds rather than delayed internet streams. Using internet feeds and their delay can also play havoc with those using internet betting.

FA Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures

Saturday 4 April 2026

• 12.45pm – Manchester City v. Liverpool on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max
• 5.15pm – Chelsea v. Port Vale on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, BBC One and iPlayer
• 8pm – Southampton v. Arsenal on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, BBC One and iPlayer

Sunday 5 April 2026

• 4.30pm – West Ham United v. Leeds United on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max

BBC One’s Saturday Night FA Cup Double

One of the most interesting aspects of the broadcast schedule is the Saturday night double feature on BBC One. The BBC will air two quarter-final ties in the same evening broadcast window, offering fans a long night of FA Cup action without switching channels.

The highlight of the evening will be the blockbuster clash between Manchester City and Liverpool, two of the strongest teams left in the competition. Both clubs have been dominant forces in English football in recent years, so their quarter-final meeting feels more like a final-stage showdown.

This rare scheduling decision gives viewers a major FA Cup showcase on free-to-air television, continuing the BBC’s long tradition of broadcasting the competition.

Underdogs Still in the Competition

The FA Cup is famous for its surprises, and Port Vale will be hoping to provide another giant-killing story. The League One side have already enjoyed a memorable run to reach the last eight, and their reward is a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Southampton will look to upset the odds when they take on Arsenal. Arsenal have historically been one of the most successful clubs in FA Cup history, but the Saints will hope that home advantage can inspire an upset.

Leeds Chasing History

Another intriguing tie sees Leeds United travel to West Ham United. Leeds reached the quarter-finals after a convincing win over Norwich City and will be aiming to reach their first FA Cup semi-final in more than two decades.

Manager Daniel Farke has described the run as a chance for the club to “write another piece of history” as they aim to return to Wembley.

Road to Wembley

The winners of these four quarter-finals will move on to the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium later in April, with the 2026 FA Cup Final scheduled for May.

With a mixture of Premier League heavyweights, historic rivalries and underdog stories, this year’s FA Cup quarter-finals promise a thrilling weekend of knockout football — and thanks to the BBC’s rare Saturday night double, many fans will be able to enjoy it live on free-to-air TV.