The BBC will screen two FA Cup third round games live on BBC One on Saturday 10 January, with Discovery+ showing the remaining televised games.
This is a reduction from 11 live free-to-air third round games last season.
MAIN POINTS
BBC to screen an all-Premier League third round fixture in primetime
Discovery+ to screen every televised FA Cup games, including those not shown on TNT Sports
ITV’s loss of FA Cup rights will become noticeable to football fans in early January, when England’s top clubs join the competition. Last January, 11 third-round games were shown live and free on TV. This year, only two games will be available to Freeview audiences, both live on BBC One and iPlayer.
However more FA Cup third-round games will be available overall, courtesy of Discovery+.
Which FA Cup third round games are on free-to-air TV?
The BBC kicks-off coverage at 12:00 on Saturday 10 January with Macclesfield v Crystal Palace, live from Moss Rose.
Later in the day, BBC One will show the all-Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa from 17:30.
Highlights of all the action in the third round so far, including games shown on Discovery+, follow at 22:40 on BBC One.
Further highlights follow on Sunday 11 January at 22:30 on BBC One and iPlayer.
Sunday replays
The BBC Red Button channel (Freeview 601, Sky satellite/Freesat 970, Virgin Media 991) will replay Macclesfield v Crystal Palace at 09:00 and Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa at 16:35. On Freely, Sky Stream and all other connected devices, you’ll be able to watch the replays on BBC iPlayer.
Where to watch all other third round FA Cup games
Fans of sides including Port Vale, Wrexham AFC, Leicester City and Southampton will need access to Discovery+.
Specifically, you’ll need to access to the TNT Sports or TNT Sports & Entertainment (formerly known as Premium) tier of Discovery+. FA Cup coverage is not available through the Entertainment (ex-Basic) tier that’s included with Sky subscriptions.
Discovery+ will (at least for this season) be the home of all remaining televised FA Cup games, including those not shown on TNT Sports. HBO Max will become the home of TNT Sports during 2026.
Discovery+ and TNT Sports will also cover the games that BBC One is showing live.
Friday 9 January 2026
| Kick Off | Game | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 19:30 | Port Vale v Fleetwood Town | Live on Discovery+ |
| 19:30 | Preston North End v Wigan Athletic | Live on Discovery+ |
| 19:30 | Wrexham AFC v Nottingham Forest | Live on TNT Sports 1; Discovery+ |
| 19:30 | Milton Keynes Dons v Oxford United | Live on Discovery+ |
Saturday 10 January 2026
3pm kick-offs are not televised in the UK.
| Kick Off | Game | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 12:15 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town | Live on Discovery+ |
| 12:15 | Everton v Sunderland AFC | Live on Discovery+ |
| 12:15 | Cheltenham Town v Leicester City | Live on Discovery+ |
| 12:15 | Macclesfield v Crystal Palace | Live on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ |
| 17:45 | Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa | Live on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ |
| 17:45 | Grimsby Town v Weston Super Mare | Live on Discovery+ |
| 17:45 | Cambridge United v Birmingham City | Live on Discovery+ |
| 17:45 | Bristol City v Watford | Live on Discovery+ |
| 20:00 | Charlton Athletic v Chelsea | Live on TNT Sports 1; Discovery+ |
Sunday 11 January 2026
| Kick Off | Game | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | Derby County v Leeds United AFC | Live on TNT Sports 2; Discovery+ |
| 14:00 | Portsmouth v Arsenal | Live on TNT Sports 1; Discovery+ |
| 14:30 | West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers | Live on Discovery+ |
| 14:30 | Norwich City v Walsall | Live on Discovery+ |
| 14:30 | Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion | Live on Discovery+ |
| 14:30 | Hull City v Blackburn Rovers | Live on Discovery+ |
| 14:30 | Sheffield United v Mansfield Town | Live on Discovery+ |
| 16:30 | Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion | Live on TNT Sports 1; Discovery+ |
Monday 12 January 2026
| Kick Off | Game | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 19:45 | Liverpool v Barnsley | Live on TNT Sports 1; Discovery+ |
By: Marc Thornham | Image: FA