FA announces significant FA Cup alteration affecting Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, and other clubs.
Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday may feature more frequently on television than ever before under the new arrangement. Starting from the 2025/26 season, the BBC will broadcast a total of 14 FA Cup matches per season as part of a four-year deal with main rights holder TNT Sports. This deal could affect both Sheffield clubs.
The current agreement between the BBC, ITV, and TNT will end after next season, with the new arrangement taking effect thereafter. The BBC will show two matches per round live, extending through to the quarter-finals, and will also broadcast one semi-final and the final on free-to-air TV.
TNT Sports will retain the first pick of fixtures for each round, while the BBC will have picks two and four. Specific kick-off times have not yet been confirmed, but more changes are anticipated, including an increase in the number of televised matches.
TNT Sports will continue to broadcast every FA Cup match except those starting at 3pm on Saturdays, in compliance with English football’s blackout rule. This development follows shortly after the FA’s controversial decision to eliminate FA Cup replays, which some English Football League clubs claim they were not consulted about.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham commented on the agreement, expressing delight that the BBC will remain an Emirates FA Cup broadcast partner under this new deal with TNT Sports. The goal is to ensure widespread accessibility to this special competition, enabling fans to watch more live matches than ever before starting from the 2025-26 season, both on TNT Sports and free-to-air on the BBC.
Sheffield United’s FA Cup journey this season included a 4-0 victory over Gillingham in the third round followed by a 5-2 defeat at home to Premier League opponents Brighton. Similarly, Sheffield Wednesday exited in the fourth round after needing a replay against Coventry City, having previously beaten Cardiff City 4-0 in the third round.
Additionally, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday will be affected by a significant agreement between the EFL and Sky Sports starting next season. This deal will see over 1,000 games across the second-tier, League One, and League Two broadcast live, including every match on the opening weekend—a first for British television, with the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout not applying.
