The short answer: to watch the FA Cup in the USA you need ESPN+ ($11.99/month) — it streams 79 matches a season exclusively, from the first round proper in November all the way to the final at Wembley in May. Select ties also air on ESPN's TV channels, and some matches carry Spanish-language commentary. ESPN holds the exclusive US rights through the 2027/28 season.
Here's how the rounds work, when coverage starts, and the cheapest way to follow your club's cup run.
Where to watch the FA Cup in the USA
| Where | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ | 79 matches a season, first round proper → final, exclusive | $11.99/mo |
| ESPN / ESPN2 | Select marquee ties on linear TV | TV subscription |
| ESPN Deportes / ESPN+ (Spanish) | Select matches in Spanish | Included |
ESPN and the English FA signed a four-year extension in 2024, so this lineup is locked through 2027/28. One thing to know: coverage begins at the first round proper in November — the qualifying rounds and the very early stages (when non-league sides enter) aren't part of the US package.
The FA Cup calendar: when to tune in
- November 2026 — First round proper: League One and League Two clubs enter
- January 2027 — Third round: Premier League and Championship clubs enter (the weekend giant-killings are famous for)
- February–March 2027 — Fourth and fifth rounds
- April 2027 — Quarter-finals and semi-finals (semis at Wembley)
- May 2027 — The FA Cup Final at Wembley, on ESPN+ with select TV coverage
The January third round is the one to circle: 64 clubs, Premier League giants visiting lower-league grounds, and every upset streaming live.
Where to watch the FA Cup final
The final streams live on ESPN+ in May, typically with an ESPN linear TV simulcast as well. If you only subscribe for one month of the season, make it May — or January, when the third round delivers the best matchday of the English calendar.
The cheapest way to watch
- ESPN+ at $11.99/month is the only subscription you need — and it already carries La Liga, so one subscription covers Spanish league football and England's cup.
- Follow one cup run: subscribe month-to-month around your club's ties — the round dates above make that easy to time.
- ESPN+ comes with the Disney+/Hulu bundle too, if your household already pays for those.
FAQ
Is the FA Cup on ESPN+ in 2026/27? Yes — 79 matches exclusively, from the first round proper in November through the final, under ESPN's deal running to 2027/28.
Can I watch the FA Cup for free in the USA? There's no regular free US broadcast. Select marquee ties air on ESPN's TV channels (accessible via a live-TV trial like Fubo's), but the streaming home is ESPN+.
Are all FA Cup games shown in the US? No — 79 of the competition's matches are selected each season. Every Premier League club's ties from the third round onward are almost always covered.
Is the FA Cup final on regular TV? It typically gets an ESPN linear simulcast alongside the ESPN+ stream — check listings in the final's week.
More US soccer guides
The FA Cup's Premier League giants play their league football on Peacock — see how to watch the Premier League in the USA and the Carabao Cup guide for England's other cup. For every league's US home, start with where to watch soccer in the USA.
Track the cup run with RenderFoot's free tools: tournament bracket generator · lineup builder · Premier League fixtures.
Sources: ESPN Press Room — ESPN and the English FA four-year extension; ESPN — FA Cup to remain on ESPN in USA. Rights and prices change — confirm on ESPN's official FA Cup page before subscribing.
