2026 FA Cup Final date, time, draw, tickets and channel!
When is the FA Cup final 2026? What time is the FA Cup final? FA Cup final what time? What channel is the FA Cup final on? This year’s FA Cup final is unfolding to be an exciting one and a replay from previous year.
The 2026 Emirates FA Cup Final is set to be a historic clash between Manchester City and Chelsea.
In previous year, in a historic triumph, Crystal Palace clinched their first-ever major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1–0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025.
The decisive moment came in the 16th minute when Eberechi Eze volleyed in a cross from Daniel Munoz, giving Palace an early lead. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was instrumental in preserving the advantage, notably saving a penalty from Omar Marmoush and making several crucial stops throughout the match.
A controversial incident occurred when Henderson handled the ball outside the penalty area but received only a yellow card, a decision that drew criticism from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Following the final whistle, Henderson led the celebrations with fans, singing a spirited chant to the tune of Shakira’s “Waka Waka,” highlighting the significance of the victory for the club and its supporters.
This victory not only secured Crystal Palace’s place in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League but also set up a clash with Premier League champions Liverpool in the upcoming FA Community Shield.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match. Watch & Bet on Football =>
FA Cup final 2026
The 2026 FA Cup final is set for Saturday, May 16, kicking off at 3:00 PM BST at Wembley Stadium. The first finalist, Manchester City, has already secured its place after a dramatic comeback against Southampton.
Second finalist, Chelsea defeated Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday to secure a spot in the FA Cup final. In his debut game as interim manager, Calum McFarlane guided the Blues to victory with a single goal from Enzo Fernandez.
MAN CITY VS. CHELSEA.
The FA Cup final is set ⚔️🏆 pic.twitter.com/5hev8juLMs
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 26, 2026
Pedro has stated that Chelsea will return to Wembley “to win,” despite starting as the underdogs against Pep Guardiola’s team in the championship game.
The striker remarked, “We had a difficult week, but now it’s a good win for us to move forward.” “We still have Premier League games, and we have goals.” We will feel more confident after this victory. The final, in my opinion, will be a thrilling match. Hopefully, we can win the final, but both teams will come to win.
Fernandez, who scored the game-winning goal on minute twenty-three, received plaudits from Pedro for his effort.
Pedro referred to the midfielder as one of the leaders of the dressing room despite the Argentine’s contentious remarks regarding his future in an interview that led to his dismissal from the club earlier this season.
When is the FA Cup final 2026? FA Cup 2026 date and time!
- Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Wembley Stadium, the iconic home of English football, will host this prestigious final.
Manchester City returns for their fourth consecutive FA Cup Final and will face Chelsea/Leeds United. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two determined sides.
What time is the FA Cup final? FA Cup final kick off time!
The 2026 Emirates FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Chelsea is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM BST on Saturday, 16 May 2026, at Wembley Stadium in London.
This kick-off time was agreed upon in collaboration with the participating clubs, broadcasters, local authorities, and the Safety Advisory Group to accommodate fans and ensure smooth logistics.
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on BBC One and ITV1, with coverage starting at 3:25 PM and 3:00 PM BST respectively.
Fans in other countries can check local listings or The FA’s global broadcast partners page for viewing options.
This final marks Manchester City’s fourth consecutive appearance in the FA Cup Final.
FA Cup final venue and stadium
Wembley Stadium, often referred to as “The Home of Football,” is one of the most iconic sports and entertainment venues in the world.
Opened in 2007, the new Wembley Stadium replaced the original 1923 stadium and boasts a capacity of 90,000, making it the largest stadium in the UK.
With its iconic arch and state-of-the-art facilities, Wembley hosts major football matches, including the FA Cup Final, England internationals, and concerts by the world’s biggest artists
FA Cup final tickets
This is the most legitimate way to get tickets. It’s a closed process for loyal fans:
Priority Access: Tickets are sold in a strict pecking order, starting with season ticket holders, then club members, and then those with a strong purchase history. If you don’t have a history with a club, this route is unlikely to be available.
Ticket Allocation: Each finalist is expected to receive about 30,000 tickets.
Key Timeline: The final is on Saturday, May 16. Ticket sales from the clubs happen immediately after the semi-finals in late April.
Any remaining tickets (which is rare) might be sold via a public ballot on The FA’s website around 7-10 days after the semis. Keep an eye on thefa.com/tickets.
Be cautious of third-party sellers and ensure tickets are purchased from reputable sources. Watch & Bet on Football =>
How to watch FA Cup Final on TV? 2026 FA Cup Final TV Coverage and Channel!
You must be wondering about where and how to watch the FA Cup Final on TV, don’t worry, we have compiled all the information you need down below. Here you will know where you can catch the FA Cup final on TV!
United Kingdom
- TV Channels: BBC One, ITV1, STV, UTV
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer, ITVX, STV Player
India
- TV Channel: Sony Sports Network
- Streaming: SonyLIV
United States
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+
Note: Broadcast details may vary by region; please check local listings.
Fans worldwide can tune in to watch this exciting final through various broadcasters.
In the UK, both BBC and ITV will provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of the action. International viewers can check their local listings for broadcast information.
All the preliminary qualification matches were not shown on TV, especially outside of the United Kingdom. It is usually much easier to follow the FA Cup Final 2026 TV coverage from the 5th round onwards.
The smaller matches like the matches played by League One or lower than the Level 2 or 3 teams may or may not be shown. However, the big FA Cup final will on TV Channels like BT Sport and BBC Sport.
Of course the FA Cup final is the next one – but what about the other rounds which took place? Don’t you want to watch the journey of the two finalists in the FA Cup? How did they win the semi-finals and quarter-finals?
How to watch FA Cup Final on TV in UK! FA Cup Final TV Channel in UK!
How to watch FA Cup Final 2026 TV coverage in UK? As mentioned, since the FA Cup is a domestic competition held in the UK, it is easier for fans in England to watch it. They have more than one option.
Here is a quick all-purpose table for you to know where to catch all FA Cup action! Watch & Bet on Football =>
| Round | BT Sport | BBC Sport |
| Fifth Round Proper | BT Sport => | BBC Sport => |
| BT Sport => | BBC Sport => | |
| Quarter Final | BT Sport => | BBC Sport => |
| Semi Final | BT Sport => | BBC Sport => |
| Final | BT Sport => | BBC Sport => |
What channel is the Fa Cup Final on? Watch the FA Cup Final on BT Sport and BBC Sport!
You need BT Sport or BBC Sport to watch the 2026 FA Cup Final on TV in UK. Both BT Sport and BBC Sport are paid options.
BT Sport or BBC Sport have exclusive TV rights to the FA Cup draw as well as the matches and of course the final.
BT Sport has a cheaper subscription as compared to BBC Sport, there are add-on costs that end up costing almost the same for both channels.
If you live in the UK as no other channel has the right to broadcast the much anticipate affair in Wembley. They also can watch not only the final but replays and highlights of all other FA Cup action on these TV Channels. Watch & Bet on Football =>
2026 FA Cup Final TV Coverage Worldwide
How to watch FA Cup final on TV in other countries? For fans around the world, following the BBC One channel is the best way to learn about the FA Cup! Here, we have enlisted the broadcasters for the FA Cup who will be showing the final in English.
| Country | TV Channel & Broadcaster | WATCH&BET |
| United Kingdom | BBC Sport, BT Sport | Watch&Bet> |
| USA | ESPN | Watch&Bet> |
| Australia | ESPN | Watch&Bet> |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport | Watch&Bet> |
| Ireland | BT Sport, Eir Sport | Watch&Bet> |
| Canada | Watch&Bet> | |
| India | Sony ESPN | Watch&Bet> |
Is FA Cup final on BBC or ITV?
See also
Table of Contents
