FA confirm new FA Cup broadcast deal from 2025/26 as Channel 4 and TNT Sports secure rights | OneFootball

The FA have announced a ‘historic broadcast deal’ that will see the Adobe Women’s FA Cup shown live on Channel 4 and TNT Sports from the 2025/26 season.

In a press release issued on Friday afternoon, the FA confirmed that a three-season deal to air the competition in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland has been agreed with the broadcasters.

The move will “deliver a significant uplift in the number of matches that are broadcast live across the season of the competition,” the FA explain, “with a guarantee of live coverage from the First Round onwards.”

Mark Bullingham, the FA’s Chief Executive, commented: “This is a significant moment for the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. We have two broadcast partners who are deeply committed to growing the competition and taking it to new audiences over the next three seasons. Channel 4 and TNT are brilliant sports broadcasters and are the perfect combination for this very special tournament. We are delighted to be working with them and look forward to continuing to grow women’s football together.”

Scott Young, SVP of Content, Production and Business Operations at WBD Sports, expressed that “TNT Sports is excited by the opportunity to showcase the full breadth and power of women’s football stories – from grassroots through to the elite level.”

The FA noted that “the new deal will provide greater exposure to clubs from across the women’s football pyramid, with TNT Sports broadcasting 19 matches across the season. Starting in October, this includes one match in the First Round and one in the Second round, marking the first time in history that these rounds of the competition will be broadcast on television.”

The move will “give the women’s game a fantastic platform to reach millions of fans on TNT Sports,” Young added.

According to The FA’s press release, “Channel 4 will televise one match per round from the Third Round, with all six matches including the final co-exclusive on TNT Sports.”

Channel 4’s Head of Sport, Pete Andrews, added that “this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible talent and dedication of women’s football teams nationwide. By offering free-to-air coverage, we can reach wider audiences, inspire the next generation of footballers, and celebrate the rising prominence of women’s sport.”

Chelsea take on Manchester United in the 2024/25 Adobe Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 18 May, with more than 85,000 tickets sold as the Red Devils try to retain last year’s trophy while the Blues aim to complete an unbeaten domestic season. The match gets underway at 13:30 BST [14:30 CEST].