The historic 145th Emirates FA Cup Final arrives this Saturday, May 16, 2026. After a journey that began with 747 teams, only two remain to battle at Wembley Stadium.
This is a landmark showdown for football fans. Despite their long history, Manchester City and Chelsea have never met in an FA Cup Final until now.
This season marks a major shift in broadcasting, with TNT Sports securing the primary rights to provide extensive coverage. Fans can watch FA Cup Final in Ireland key matches and highlights on BBC iPlayer for free.
However, BBC iPlayer is restricted to the UK only. Therefore, using a VPN will allow you to access it in Ireland.
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When & Where is the FA Cup Final 2026 Happening?
- Date: May 16, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 3:00 PM IST
- Match: Chelsea vs. Manchester City
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Platforms: BBC iPlayer & TNT Sports
How to Watch FA Cup Final in Ireland for Free
BBC iPlayer is a key broadcaster for the FA Cup 2025/26 in the UK. The platform broadcasts quarter-finals, semi-finals, as well as the Final for free in the UK.
Plus, BBC iPlayer will offer FA Cup matches highlights and exclusive coverage available on demand. However, to bypass the geo-restrictions, you must use a VPN to watch the FA Cup Final in Ireland on BBC iPlayer.
Just follow the step-by-step instructions given below:
Step 1: Sign up with a VPN service. Surfshark is our #1 choice
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device.Â
Step 3: Open the VPN and connect it to a UK server.Â
Step 4: Visit BBC iPlayer and click on Sign In.
Step 5: Enter your Email.
Step 6: Click on Register.
Step 7: Click on TV Guide
Step 8: Select BBC One and click the Match when it is live.
How to Watch FA Cup Final in Ireland on TNT Sports
FA Cup Final will be available on TNT Sports, following its broadcast deal covering both the UK and the Republic of Ireland. You can catch all the action live through platforms like Sky Ireland, NOW TV, the EE TV Player app, or Virgin Media TV.
A subscription to TNT Sports costs €32/month via Sky Essential TV + Sports Extra Plan, or €33.99/mo with the NOW TV Sports Extra plan (currently discounted to €17/mo).
Here’s how you can watch FA Cup Final in Ireland on mobile phone:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming
FA Cup Final 2026: Expected Player List
The 2026 FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.
Since the match has not yet kicked off, the lineups below are based on recent semi-final performances, injury reports (including Rodri’s groin concern), and seasonal statistics.
| Position | Chelsea | Manchester City |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Robert Sánchez | Ederson |
| Defenders | Tosin Adarabioyo | Rico Lewis |
| Jorrel Hato | Max Alleyne | |
| Levi Colwill | John Stones | |
| Trevoh Chalobah | Joško Gvardiol | |
| Midfielders | Enzo Fernández | Rodri (Doubt) / Matheus Nunes |
| Andrey Santos | Tijjani Reijnders | |
| Estêvão | Kevin De Bruyne | |
| Forwards | Pedro Neto | Jérémy Doku |
| João Pedro | Antoine Semenyo | |
| Alejandro Garnacho | Erling Haaland | |
| Key Subs | Marc Guiu, Cole Palmer | Omar Marmoush, Nico O'Reilly |
Other Football Events to Watch in Ireland
You can watch many other sports events and matches in Ireland. including:
FAQs – FA Cup
1. When does the FA Cup 2025/26 start?
The FA Cup 2025/26 begins with the Extra Preliminary Round on August 8, 2025. The First Round Proper takes place on November 1, 2025.
2. How many teams participate in the FA Cup?
A total of 732 teams will compete in the 2025/26 FA Cup, including teams from the Premier League down to Step 5 of the non-league pyramid.
3. Who are the broadcasters for the FA Cup 2025/26?
In the UK, the FA Cup will be broadcast by TNT Sports for the majority of matches, while BBC Sport will also show select matches, including the final.
4. Where is the FA Cup Final held?
The FA Cup Final is traditionally played at Wembley Stadium in London.
5. What is the prize for winning the FA Cup?
The winner of the FA Cup receives £2 million in prize money for the 2025/26 season. There are also significant financial rewards for progressing through each round.
6. When do Premier League and Championship teams enter the competition?
Premier League and Championship teams enter the FA Cup in the 3rd Round Proper, which takes place in early Jan 2026. This round marks the point where teams from the top two tiers of English football join the competition, facing off against the winners of the earlier rounds.
Conclusion
The FA Cup 2025/26 kicks off its First Round on November 1, 2025, and concludes with the Final at Wembley on May 16, 2026.
You can watch the FA Cup in Ireland via BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports, and the mentioned free streaming apps/sites. However, you will need a VPN to access some of the geo-restricted content in Ireland. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
