How to watch the FA Cup from anywhere in 2026
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The 2024-25 FA Cup season will kick off on Saturday, November 2th, with the first round proper. Manchester United will be looking to defend their title. This season will last till May 17, 2025.
| Date: | 2 November 2024 – 17 May 2025 |
| Venue: | Wembley Stadium |
| Stream anywhere: | Get NordVPN – 75% OFF |
| Stream in the US: | ESPN+ |
BBC and ITV will show the match in the UK, and ESPN+ has exclusive rights to stream the FA Cup in the US. If you’re not in the right location, you should use a VPN to unblock all FA Cup streams from any country.
If VPNs are new to you – this helpful starter guide has all the tips and info you need to get connected. Read on to discover how to watch the FA Cup from anywhere in 2026.
How to watch the FA Cup with a VPN
- Pick a respected VPN with high-quality streaming features. We recommend NordVPN, now 75% off
- Download and install the VPN app
- Find a UK server and connect
- Go to BBC iPlayer and make an account
- Stream the FA Cup
Why do you need a VPN to watch the FA Cup?
BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and ESPN+ all use geo-blocking technology to restrict their content to specific locations. Overseas viewers who attempt to get access will get an error screen:
That may be a pain for global fans, but unfortunately, strict licensing rights make geo-restrictions necessary for streaming platforms.
The only way to bypass these online content blocks is by changing your IP address, and thankfully a VPN can do just that. Install a robust VPN on your device, connect to a server in the country of your chosen FA Cup stream, and you’ll be able to unblock the FA Cup matches wherever you are.
3 Best VPNs to watch the FA Cup
- NordVPN – ultimate FA Cup VPN
- Surfshark – top-speed VPN for the FA Cup
- IPVanish – budget-friendly FA Cup VPN
Where can you watch the FA Cup online?
Excited to watch the FA Cup 2024/25 season online? We’ve created a handy table showing you all the streaming platforms that will be streaming the match.
Remember, geo-blocks will get in your way if you’re watching from abroad, so get your VPN installed and connected before kick-off.
| Streaming platform | Cost per month |
| BBC iPlayer (UK) | Free |
| ITVX(UK) | Free |
| ESPN+ (US) | $9.99 |
| Hulu+ Live TV | $69.99 |
| Peacock | $4.99 |
| Paramount Plus (Australia) | $8.99 |
How to watch the FA Cup in the USA
US soccer fans can watch the FA Cup final on ESPN. If you’re viewing online, you can access ESPN’s FA Cup streams on ESPN+ and on Peacock, Hulu, and Paramount Plus.
ESPN has the exclusive rights to stream all 79 FA Cup matches in the US for the 2024 season, starting from the first round proper in November to the final. This means that ESPN+ is the only place to watch FA Cup matches in the US this season.
How to watch the FA Cup in the UK
UK viewers can watch the big match live on the free TV channels BBC and ITV (as well as their streaming platforms ITVX and BBC iPlayer). Just choose your favorite channel and tune in to see all the action from the FA Cup matches.
How to watch the FA Cup in Australia
Australian residents can catch the FA Cup 2024/25 season as well. The match won’t be on an Aussie TV channel but will stream on Paramount Plus.
How to watch the FA Cup from anywhere
Unfortunately, the 2024/25 FA Cup won’t be live-streamed in all countries, as licensing restrictions prohibit its global distribution.
However, a VPN can get around those geo-blocks. So you can tune in to the games from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, or anywhere else.
How to watch the FA Cup on your devices
If you’re eager to watch the FA Cup online in a country that doesn’t have rights to a live stream, we have a solution – just set a VPN up on your device. Then, you can dismiss geo-blocks whether you want to watch on a PC, mobile device, or even a streaming stick. Consult the following short guides to get connected in a flash.
Watch the FA Cup on a PC
Learn these quick steps to unblock the FA Cup on your Windows or Mac devices in seconds:
- Download a top VPN for your computer. NordVPN is the number one choice
- Install the VPN and launch its server menu
- Connect to a UK location
- Make an account on ITVX or BBC iPlayer
- Watch a live stream of the FA Cup!
Watch the FA Cup on a smartphone
If you’re looking for a quick guide to help you unblock the FA Cup on your iOS or Android smartphone, look no further:
- Open the Google Play Store/Apple App Store on your device
- Download a mobile app VPN. We suggest NordVPN for iOS and Android
- Launch the VPN and connect to a UK server
- Next, download the BBC iPlayer app and make an account
- Watch the FA Cup matches live!
Watch the FA Cup on streaming devices
If you watch content on your gaming console, smart TV, or streaming stick (like Roku or Apple TV), a stumbling block is that VPNs can’t be installed directly on these devices. Luckily, we have an alternative method that does the job:
- Get a VPN with the Smart DNS feature, like NordVPN’s SmartPlay
- Open the VPN settings and turn on Smart DNS
- Follow the streaming device setup instructions
- Log in to ESPN+, BBC iPlayer, or ITVX
- Stream the FA Cup live from Wembley Stadium!
Why can't I watch the FA Cup with a VPN?
Check out these troubleshooting tips if your VPN isn’t helping you unblock the FA Cup:
- Confirm you’re on the correct server location. You’ll need an IP address in the right country to unblock FA Cup streams.
- Try out a new server. Even reliable VPNs can drop on occasion. If you suddenly can’t bypass geo-blocks, just hop onto a new server.
- Clear your browser data. Your browser info can sometimes reveal your true location – even if you have a VPN. Wiping your history, cookies, and cache should solve this problem.
- Update your apps and system. If your OS or apps are outdated, VPN performance could be affected.
- Get a better VPN. Some VPNs simply cannot bypass geo-restrictions. Switch to a provider we’ve recommended in this guide for consistent results
Can I watch the FA Cup for free?
The UK’s BBC iPlayer and ITVX streaming platforms will broadcast the FA Cup season live, and they’re free to watch! However, they’re UK-locked, so you’ll need a VPN if you’re not in the UK. Countless VPNs claim to offer a free service. But most of the time they will be unable to bypass geo-restrictions due to a mix of weak servers, buggy apps, and poor performance.
The clever thing to do is get a free trial with a reliable premium VPN. Each provider we’ve named in our top 3 list gives you a 30-day money-back guarantee at the least. So if you just want to stream the FA Cup season, you can use the VPN and get a quick refund the following day.
| VPN | Free trial | Money-back guarantee |
| NordVPN | Only on Android (3 days) | 30 days |
| Surfshark | Android, macOS, iOS (7 days) | 30 days |
| IPVanish | Android, iOS (7 days) | 30 days |
The FA Cup schedule in 2024/25
The FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious cup competition in English football, and it is open to all teams in the English football league system, as well as some non-league teams. Here are some of the upcoming matches this season:
| Teams | Date |
| Blackpool v Birmingham City | November 30, 2024 |
| Crawley Town v Chesham United or Lincoln City | November 30, 2024 |
| Exeter City v Chesterfield | November 30, 2024 |
| Wealdstone v Wycombe Wanderers | November 30, 2024 |
Everything you need to know about the FA Cup
The FA Cup remains one of the most prestigious trophies in football, open to all clubs in the English football league system. As of 2024, Manchester United claimed their 13th FA Cup title by defeating Manchester City 2-1, placing them just one title behind Arsenal’s record of 14. Manchester City, who previously held six FA Cup wins, still trails behind both United and Arsenal in the title count. This inclusive competition allows clubs of all levels to compete, giving lower-league teams a chance to face off against top clubs and even win the historic trophy.
Wrapping up
The 2024/25 FA Cup season is all set to be a classic. It’s much of a thrill for global football fans, but a VPN is the only way to guarantee access to a live stream in any country.
Get an elite VPN, like NordVPN, and location restrictions will quickly be shown a red card – giving you access to all the content. From FA Cup platforms like BBC iPlayer and ESPN+ to global favorites like Netflix and Amazon Prime, you can unblock them all, wherever you are. And don’t forget, the VPN will improve your privacy and security as an added bonus too.
More VPN guide from Cybernews:
How to watch Serie A in the US: stream Italian football live with a VPN
How to watch Rugby games from anywhere: watch Rugby in the US
How to watch NHL online: learn how to bypass NHL geo-blocks
How to unblock the Champions League online: use a VPN to watch UEFA Champions League
How to watch MLS online: stream American MLS
How to watch La Liga in the US: get past La Liga geo-restrictions
FAQ
Can I watch the FA Cup in Australia?
Yes, you can watch the 2024 FA Cup on Paramount Plus in Australia. Not going to be in the country? No worries, just download a VPN, set your server location to Australia, and you can unblock the big match from any location.
Does ESPN Plus have the FA Cup?
Yes, ESPN+ will be streaming the FA Cup live in the US. However, if you’re not in the States you will need a VPN to watch the show. Get a quality provider, like NordVPN, choose a US server, and you can unblock the platform from anywhere.
How can I watch the Premier League for free in Australia?
You can watch free coverage of the English Premier League on BBC iPlayer’s Match of the Day. But Australian residents will need to unblock the platform with a VPN. Sign up for a top-rated provider, like NordVPN, connect to a UK server, and you’ll be good to go!
