British football fans will enjoy free to air coverage of the FA Cup final after confirmation that both BBC One and ITV One will carry the broadcast from Wembley on seventeen May. The dual arrangement extends a tradition of shared national access for the country’s oldest trophy.
Kick off is pencilled for three o’clock, although discussions continue about a potential lunchtime switch to avoid overlapping with the Eurovision Song Contest later that evening. Any change will be communicated jointly by broadcasters and the Football Association.
Viewers will have the option of Gary Lineker’s BBC presentation or Mark Pougatch anchoring on ITV, each supported by studio panels of former cup winners. In an era of streaming fragmentation, the simultaneous terrestrial broadcast guarantees maximum reach.
Both channels plan extensive build-up packages, revisiting classic finals and highlighting Selhurst Park memories from 1990 and 2016. Manchester City features will include archive footage of the 2019 six nil win against Watford and Bernardo Silva’s volley in the 2023 success.
Enhanced digital services are promised too. BBC iPlayer and ITVX will stream the match with alternative commentary feeds, including a data-rich option overlaying player metrics in real time. Accessible audio description will again be offered for visually impaired supporters.
The arrangement underscores the cultural status of the FA Cup, which continues to command prime slots on major networks despite growing competition from pay television rights.
