The world’s oldest club competition is back with its highly-anticipated third round, and you can watch the FA Cup all over the planet. FourFourTwo’s handy guide is here to help you tune into the 2025 FA Cup live streams wherever you are in the world.
• UK: BBC | ITV
• US: ESPN+
• Australia: Optus Sport
• Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk free
The third round of the FA Cup is the point at which teams from the Premier League and Championship - England's top two leagues - enter the competition. Taking place early in the New Year, it always carries a sense of occasion, as the country's top teams are often pitted against much smaller clubs from lower down the football pyramid and sometimes from outside the Football League.
The lowest-ranked team left in the competition are Tamworth from the National League - the fifth tier of English football - and they face the Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 12 Jan.
That is one of the fixtures selected for broadcast in the UK, where, unlike other football competitions, the FA Cup gets extensive airing on free-to-air television, with several fixtures each round broadcast on BBC and ITV.
Still, that doesn't compare to certain overseas options, with ESPN+ in the US and Optus Sport in Australia showing all 32 games from the third round of the FA Cup.
Watch FA Cup live streams from anywhere
If you’re overseas when the FA Cup third round kicks off, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the action. Geo-restrictions will apply to major broadcasters but there's a simple way around this: a VPN.
A Virtual Private Network - to give it the full name - is a piece of software that sets your IP address to make it look like your device is still back at home. Assuming it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to unblock your streaming services when abroad, and you'll get a host of internet security benefits on top.
There are plenty of good-value options out there, but FourFourTwo’s brainy office mates TechRadar are big fans of NordVPN.
Watch FA Cup live streams for FREE in the UK
In the UK, you can watch FA Cup free live streams courtesy of the BBC or ITV. The FA Cup has protected broadcasting status in the UK and every round a selection of matches are shared between the two free-to-air broadcasters.
On the BBC, the biggest matches will be shown live on TV on BBC One, while the Welsh teams still in the competition get their games shown on BBC One Wales. In addition, there are certain games that are not shown on terrestrial TV but are available via the Red Button, or online via the BBC iPlayer streaming platform or the BBC Sport website. The games that are on TV are also simulcast online.
On ITV, games are either on ITV1 and ITV4 on television, and always on their streaming platform, ITVX.
UK fans away from home can still watch FA Cup live streams as they would back home by using a quality VPN such as NordVPN.
FA Cup games on TV in the UK this week
- Sheffield United vs Cardiff City | January 9 at 7pm | BBC One Wales & BBC iPlayer
- Everton vs Peterborough | January 9 at 7.45pm | BBC Red Button & BBC iPlayer
- Aston Villa vs West Ham United | January 10 at 8pm | ITV1, ITVX
- Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley | January 11 at 12.15pm | ITV1, ITVX
- Leeds United vs Harrogate Town | January 11 at 5.45pm | BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer
- Manchester City vs Salford City | January 11 at 5.45pm | BBC One , BBC iPlayer
- Tamworth vs Tottenham Hotspur | January 12 at 12.30pm | ITV1, ITVX
- Arsenal vs Manchester United | January 12 at 3pm | BBC One , BBC iPlayer)
- Newcastle United vs Bromley | January 12 at 3pm | (BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer)
- Southampton vs Swansea City | January 12 at 4.30pm | BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer
- Milwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge | January 13 at 7.30pm | ITV4, ITVX
Watch FA Cup live streams in the US
You could even get an FA Cup free live stream in the US, if you tried out the Hulu + Live TV bundle through Hulu, as that comes with a three-day free trial and includes ESPN+. It is pricey, though, at $82.99 a month, so don't forget to cancel if you don't find anything else to watch.
If you already use ESPN+ but aren't in the US right now, you can watch FA Cup live streams by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Watch the FA Cup in Canada
Sportsnet is the FA Cup rights-holder in Canada and will be laying on an envious array of fixtures on its streaming platform, Sportsnet+.
FA Cup soccer only comes with the Premium Sportsnet+ package, which costs $34.99 a month or $249.99 a year.
Watch FA Cup live streams in Australia
The FA Cup has a new home Down Under. Optus Sport – also your destination for all 380 Premier League matches this season – is the new rights holder, and will show all the FA Cup games, most of which won’t be shown on UK TV.
A subscription costs $24.99 AUD per month, but you can make a substantial saving if you sign up for the whole year – the $229 AUD annual subscription will save you more than five bucks a month.
If you're not in Australia right now, you can still access your Optus Sport subscription by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Watch the FA Cup in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Sky Sport has the rights to the FA Cup.
Certain matches will go out on television, while others can be found on the Sky Sport Now streaming platform. Subscriptions are at the pricier end of the spectrum at $29.99 a week or $49.99 a month, but you do get a wide range of live sport for that price.
FA Cup third round fixtures and TV channels
Thursday, January 9
| Header Cell - Column 0 | UK | US | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield United vs Cardiff City | BBC One Wales & BBC iPlayer (k/o 7.00pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 2.00pm ET, 11.00am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 6.00am AEDT, Friday) |
| Fulham vs Watford | No UK broadcaster (k/o 7.45pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 2.45pm ET, 11.45am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 6.45am AEDT, Friday) |
| Everton vs Peterborough United | BBC Red Button & BBC iPlayer (k/o 7.45pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 2.45pm ET, 11.45am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 6.45am AEDT, Friday) |
Friday, January 10
| Header Cell - Column 0 | UK | US | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wycombe Wanderers vs Portssmouth | No UK broadcaster (k/o 7.45pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 2.45pm ET, 11.45am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 6.45am AEDT, Saturday) |
| Aston Villa vs West Ham | ITV1 & ITVX (k/o 8pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 3pm ET, 12pm PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 7am AEDT, Saturday) |
Saturday, January 11
| Header Cell - Column 0 | UK | US | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol City vs Wolves | No UK broadcaster (k/o 12pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 7am ET, 4am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 11pm AEDT) |
| Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers | No UK broadcaster (k/o 12pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 7am ET, 4am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 11pm AEDT) |
| Birmingham City vs Lincoln City | No UK broadcaster (k/o 12pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 7am ET, 4am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 11pm AEDT) |
| Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley | ITV1 & ITVX (k/o 12.15pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 7.15am ET, 4.15am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 11.15pm AEDT) |
| Leicester City vs QPR | No UK broadcaster (k/o 2pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 9am ET, 6am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 1am AEDT Sunday) |
| Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Brentford vs Plymouth Argyle | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Chelsea vs Morecambe | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Norwich City vs Brighton & Hove Albion | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Preston North End vs Charlton Athletic | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Reading vs Burnley | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Exeter City vs Oxford United | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Sunderland vs Stoke City | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Sunday) |
| Leeds United vs Harrogate Town | BBC Red Button & BBC iPlayer (k/o 17.45 GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 12.45pm ET, 9.45am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 4.45am AEDT Sunday) |
| Manchester City vs Salford City | BBC One & BBC iPlayer (k/o 17.45 GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 12.45pm ET, 9.45am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 4.45am AEDT Sunday) |
| Leyton Orient vs Derby County | No UK broadcaster (k/o 6pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 1pm ET, 10am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 5am AEDT Sunday) |
| Coventry City vs Sheffield Wednesday | No UK broadcaster (k/o 6pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 1pm ET, 10am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 5am AEDT Sunday) |
| Mansfield Town vs Wigan Athletic | No UK broadcaster (k/o 6pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 1pm ET, 10am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 5am AEDT Sunday) |
Sunday, January 12
| Header Cell - Column 0 | UK | US | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers | No UK broadcaster (k/o 12pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 7am ET, 4am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 11pm AEDT) |
| Tamworth vs Tottenham Hotspur | ITV1 & ITVX (k/o 12.30 GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 7.15am ET, 4.15am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 11.30pm AEDT) |
| Newcastle United vs Bromley | BBC Red Button & BBC iPlayer (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Monday) |
| Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Monday) |
| Arsenal vs Manchester United | BBC One & BBC iPlayer (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Monday) |
| Crystal Palace vs Stockport County | No UK broadcaster (k/o 3pm GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 10am ET, 7am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 2am AEDT Monday) |
| Southampton vs Swansea City | BBC One Wales & BBC iPlayer (k/o 4.30GMT) | ESPN+ (k/o 11.30am ET, 8.30am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 3.30am AEDT Monday) |
Monday, January 13
| Header Cell - Column 0 | UK | US | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge | ITV4 & ITVX (k/o 19.30) | ESPN+ (k/o 2.30pm ET, 11.30am PT) | Optus Sport (k/o 6.30am AEDT, Tuesday) |
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