FA Cup 2025/26 live streams: How to watch for free, full fixture list & upcoming matches

The FA Cup trophy, on a plinth
(Image credit: Getty Images / Crystal Pix / MB Media)

The FA Cup 2025/26 will be the 145th edition of the world's oldest football tournament and, though we're only at the Round 2 stage, it's already shaping up to be among the best. It certainly has plenty to live up to, after Crystal Palace won the first major honor in their 164-year history.

Round 2 of the FA Cup delivers another packed fixture list filled with narrative, underdog storylines, and must-stream fixtures that are ideal for fans looking to tune in across BBC iPlayer and TNT Sports.

The weekend opens with Salford City hosting Leyton Orient, setting the tone for a round where non-league ambition meets EFL pedigree. Sutton United’s clash with Shrewsbury Town is one of the key matches to watch on BBC on Saturday. Meanwhile, Boreham Wood’s meet a fierce Newport County side, with the Wood’s recent giant-killing history making this game a must watch for footy fans.

TNT Sports carries the bulk of the action, including Chesterfield vs Doncaster Rovers in a matchup that feels tighter than the league ladder suggests. Slough Town face a resurgent Macclesfield side. Later in the day, Gateshead take on Walsall and a derby-tinged meeting between Blackpool and Carlisle United adds even more drama to the schedule. Finally, Brackley Town close out the televised run on Monday night as they look to disrupt Burton Albion’s plans.

Round 2 of the FA Cup offers those smaller clubs and fanbases the moment every club dreams of, a potential Third-Round draw against Premier League opposition.

Here's where to watch the FA Cup 2025/26 live streams online from anywhere, potentially for FREE.

Watch the FA Cup 2025/26 for FREE

Good news, football fans, in the UK! Select matches from the FA Cup 2025/26 are being shown on free-to-air streaming platform BBC iPlayer.

The BBC will show 14 matches from the FA Cup 2025/26 live on its TV channels (co-exclusively with pay-TV TNT Sports) and streaming service BBC iPlayer – two from each round until the quarterfinals, then one semifinal and the final. It also has free-to-air highlights and digital clips on its social media channels.

Remember, you must be a UK resident and have a valid TV license to access BBC iPlayer. If you do, just sign up online and you're good to go!

What if you're abroad? Football fans from the UK can use NordVPN to watch their usual streaming service from anywhere.

FA Cup 2025/26 TV games – Round 2

Friday, December 5

Salford vs Leyton Orient — 7:30 P.M. (TNT Sports 1 / Discovery+)

Saturday, December 6

Sutton United vs Shrewsbury Town — 5.15 P.M. (BBC 2/ BBC iPlayer/ TNT Sports 2/ Discovery+)

Chesterfield vs Doncaster— 7:30 P.M. (TNT Sports 1/ Discovery+)

Sunday, December 7

Slough Town vs Macclesfield — 12:30 P.M. (TNT Sports 2/ Discovery+)

Boreham Wood vs Newport County — 2:30 P.M. (BBC 2 / BBC iPlayer / TNT Sports 1/ Discovery+)

Gateshead vs Walsall — 3:30 P.M. (TNT Sports 2/ Discovery+)

Blackpool vs Carlisle — 5:30 P.M. (TNT Sports 1/ Discovery+)

Monday, December 8

Brackley Town vs Burton Albion — 7:30 P.M. (TNT Sports 1/ Discovery+)

*All times GMT

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How to watch FA Cup 2025/26 live streams in the US

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US live streams of the FA Cup 2025/26 come from ESPN Select.

A standalone subscription costs $12.99 a month or $129.99 a year, but you can also get their ESPN Unlimited package that includes everything ESPN has to offer. Or you can watch through the Disney Plus/Hulu/ESPN bundle, which costs from $19.99.

If you don't have access through the other channels through your antenna or cable, you could consider an OTT service like Sling TV. You can get ESPN through its Orange plan, which costs from $45.99 per month.

Alternatively, Fubo is an optional cable replacement, that includes ESPN in all of its plans ). Prices start at $84.99 a month after a FREE 7-day Fubo trial.

Traveling away from the States right now? You'll need a VPN to watch your regular streams from abroad.

How to watch FA Cup 2025/26 live streams in the UK

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(Image credit: Future)

The FA Cup 2025/26 live streams are on TNT Sports and the BBC in the UK.

As we've mentioned earlier, there will be select matches available for free on BBC iPlayer, but Discovery+ streaming service) offers many more games over the course of the competition. In fact, they will show every game that doesn't kick-off in the Saturday 3pm GMT blackout.

You can get it by adding TNT Sports to your Sky, Virgin Media or EE TV package, or pay from £30.99 per month for a Discovery+ plan that includes TNT Sports.

Traveling away from the UK today? Use a VPN to watch Discovery+ from abroad while you're away from home.

How to watch FA Cup 2025/26 live streams in Canada

Canada

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Soccer fans in Canada can watch the FA Cup 2025/26 on Sportsnet.

You can either watch Sportsnet on TV, or via the Sportsnet Plus streaming service, which starts at $24.99 per month or $199.99 per year.

Outside Canada during the FA Cup 2025/26? Simply use a VPN to watch from abroad.

How to watch FA Cup 2025/26 live streams in Australia

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In Australia, the FA Cup 2025/26 fixtures (from Round 3 onwards) will be on Stan Sport.

Soccer fans will need to subscribe to Stan Sport. It costs $20 a month on top of a regular Stan subscription costing from $12 a month.

Unfortunately, if you're looking to watch Rounds 1 or 2 – before the Premier League and Championship enter – you're out of luck.

Away from Australia right now? Use a VPN to watch Stan Sport from abroad.

How to watch FA Cup 2025/26 live streams in New Zealand

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beIN SportsNZ is the FA Cup 2025/26 TV rights holder in New Zealand.

A subscription to beIN Sports costs NZ$14.99 a month or NZ$149.99 if you pay for a year up front. New subscribers can also get a 7-day free trial, cancel before the trial period ends at no cost if you're not fully satisfied.

Missing a game due to work commitments abroad? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.

FA Cup 2025/26 Q+A

FA Cup Round 2 Fixtures

Can I watch the FA Cup for free?

Who has won the FA Cup the most times?

Arsenal - 14
Manchester United -13
Chelsea - 8
Liverpool - 8
Tottenham - 8
Manchester City - 7
Aston Villa - 7
Newcastle United - 6
Blackburn Rovers - 6
Everton - 5
West Brom - 5

Who have won the FA Cup recently?

2025 - Crystal Palace
2024 - Manchester United
2023 - Manchester City
2022 - Liverpool
2021 - Leicester City
2020 - Arsenal
2019 - Manchester City
2018 - Chelsea
2017 - Arsenal
2016 - Manchester United

Can I watch the FA Cup 2025/26 on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, BBC iPlayer or the Discorvery+ app in the UK.

You can also stay up-to-date with all key moments from the EPL on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@EmiratesFACup), Instagram (@emiratesfacup), TikTok (@emiratesfacup) and YouTube (@TheFACup).

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Andy Murray
Freelance Writer and Editor

Andy Murray is an award-winning writer and columnist, voted the Consumer Journalist of the Year at the 2015 PPA New Talent Awards. A fluent Spanish speaker and former semi-professional footballer, he was senior staff writer of world-leading football magazine FourFourTwo from 2012 to 2019 and continues to write and edit for them, national newspapers, websites, the Olympic Games and Premier League clubs.

An avid music lover since an existential introduction to The Bends by Radiohead aged 10, he has been a Glastonbury regular for decades and always lends an ear to the latest tech. For the past three years, he has tested products, subedited reviews and delved deep into the minutiae of VPNs for TechRadar.

He is not a famous tennis player.

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