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The Emirates FA Cup 2025/26 is the 145th edition of England’s oldest football tournament, featuring 747 teams from all tiers of the English football pyramid.
Season 2025-26 FA Cup began with the Extra Preliminary Round on August 2, 2025, and will reach its climax at Wembley Stadium on May 16, 2026.
Currently, the First Round Proper is underway, with 80 teams: 24 from League One, 24 from League Two, and 32 non-league clubs, all competing in 40 matches scheduled for the weekend of November 1 to 3, 2025.
This season marks a major shift in broadcasting, with TNT Sports securing the primary rights to provide extensive coverage. Fans in Ireland can also watch the FA Cup key matches and highlights on BBC iPlayer for free.
Additionally, ESPN+ will stream some matches with a premium subscription. However, these services, except TNT Sports, are restricted to their specific regions. Using a VPN will allow you to access them in Ireland.
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BBC iPlayer will continue to be a key broadcaster for the FA Cup 2025/26 in the UK. As part of a partnership with TNT Sports, the BBC will provide extensive coverage of the tournament, including select live matches from the First Round Proper.
The platform will also broadcast quarter-finals, as well as the semi-finals and 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 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.
Step 3: Open the VPN and connect it to a UK server.
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 TWO and click the Match when it is live.
I have listed down two official channels & services for you to stream and get the best experience of streaming the FA Cup in Ireland. However, both services require premium subscriptions.
TNT Sports has secured the primary broadcasting rights for the FA Cup 2025/26, replacing the BBC and ITV‘s previous shared arrangement.
Under the deal, TNT Sports will broadcast select matches from the First Round Proper and all matches from the Third Round Proper onwards, excluding Saturday 3:00 PM kick-offs.
Good news for Irish viewers: TNT Sports is available via Sky TV and streaming on NOW TV‘s NOW Sports Extra for €14.99/mo. The channel broadcasts various sports in Ireland, including the FA Cup.
ESPN+, a US-based streaming service, offers live & on-demand streaming of exclusive games, including selected upcoming FA Cup 2025-26.
ESPN+ content is available with ESPN Select ($12.99 per month) and Unlimited plans ($29.99 per month). You can stream the matches via the ESPN+ website or the ESPN app, which is available on the official app stores.
However, as ESPN+ is geo-restricted to the US only, you will need a VPN like Surfshark to access it in Ireland.
Read More: Watch ESPN+ in Ireland
If you’re looking to catch all the FA CUP MATCHES live without paying for a subscription, there are a few free streaming options available. Apps like RapidStreamz, SportzX, or RBTV33 offer access to live sports channels. You can easily install (or sideload) their APKs.
Moreover, you can also stream FA Cup via free sports websites like dlhd.sx OR vipleague.lc/ directly through your browser. These platforms often provide multiple live sports streams and channels at no cost.
However, it’s important to use a trusted VPN because free streaming sources can be unreliable. Here’s how you can watch the FA Cup in Ireland for Free on SportzX:
Step 1: Download and install Surfshark VPN App and connect the UK server.
Step 2: Download and install the SportsX APK.
Step 3: Open the app and click live events. The match will be listed once it starts.
Step 4: Enjoy the live streaming of Matches from Nov. 1 (i.e., Oct. 31 in Ireland).
The FA Cup is gearing up for its First Round on November 1, 2025, which is October 31, 2025, in Ireland. Here’s a look at the scheduled matchups for the opening round of this prestigious competition.
| Date | Match | Time ( IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 31 | Luton Town vs Forest Green | 7:30 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Chelmsford City vs Braintree Town | 12:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Salford City vs Lincoln City | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Mansfield Town vs Harrogate Town | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Buxton vs Chatham Town | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Bromley vs Bristol Rovers | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Fleetwood vs Barnet | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Weston-super-Mare vs Aldershot Town | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Blackpool vs Scunthorpe | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | FC Halifax Town vs Exeter City | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Wycombe vs Plymouth | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Burton vs St Albans City | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Sutton United vs AFC Telford United | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Crewe Alexandra vs Doncaster | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Colchester vs MK Dons | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Bolton vs Huddersfield | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Newport County vs Gillingham | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Cambridge United vs Chester FC | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Spennymoor Town vs Barrow | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Reading vs Carlisle | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Boreham Wood vs Crawley Town | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Macclesfield vs AFC Totton | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Slough Town vs Altrincham | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Tranmere vs Stockport | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Cheltenham vs Bradford City | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Wigan Athletic vs Hemel Hempstead | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Rotherham vs Swindon Town | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Oldham Athletic vs Northampton Town | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Peterborough vs Cardiff City | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Wealdstone vs Southend United | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | AFC Wimbledon vs Gateshead | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Barnsley vs York City | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Grimsby Town vs Ebbsfleet United | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Stevenage vs Chesterfield | 3:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Brackley Town vs Notts County | 5:30 PM |
| Sun, Nov 2 | South Shields vs Shrewsbury | 12:00 PM |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Eastleigh vs Walsall | 2:15 PM |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Port Vale vs Maldon & Tiptree | 3:00 PM |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Gainsborough Trinity vs Accrington Stanley | 5:15 PM |
| Mon, Nov 3 | Tamworth vs Leyton Orient | 7:30 PM |
You can watch many other sports events and matches in Ireland. including:
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.
The FA Cup 2025/26 is all set for its First Round on November 1, 2025, and concludes with the Final at Wembley on May 16, 2026. Premier League and Championship teams join in the Third Round Proper in January 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.
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