FA Cup Third Round TV Schedule: Live Coverage on BBC, TNT Sports and Discovery+ for January 9-12, 2026
London, 9 January 2026 – The Emirates FA Cup Third Round kicks off on Friday 9 January 2026, with a series of exciting matches across the weekend and into Monday. This round features Premier League giants facing off against lower-league sides, with key fixtures available live on BBC, TNT Sports, and Discovery+. Fans can catch free-to-air options on BBC One and iPlayer, while TNT Sports and Discovery+ provide extensive coverage.
Third Round Overview
The Third Round Proper sees 64 teams compete, with Premier League and Championship clubs entering the fray. Notable clashes include Tottenham Hotspur versus Aston Villa, Manchester United against Brighton & Hove Albion, and Charlton Athletic taking on Chelsea. BBC broadcasts two matches live free-to-air, while TNT Sports shows eight games live, including highlights of all ties. Times are in GMT, and all matches are streamed on Discovery+.
Key TV Selections and Fixtures
| Match | Date & Time (GMT) | TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| MK Dons v Oxford United | Friday 9 Jan, 19:30 | Discovery+ |
| Port Vale v Fleetwood Town | Friday 9 Jan, 19:30 | Discovery+ |
| Preston North End v Wigan Athletic | Friday 9 Jan, 19:30 | TNT Sports 5, Discovery+ |
| Wrexham v Nottingham Forest | Friday 9 Jan, 19:30 | TNT Sports 1, Discovery+ |
| Cheltenham Town v Leicester City | Saturday 10 Jan, 12:15 | TNT Sports 7, Discovery+ |
| Everton v Sunderland | Saturday 10 Jan, 12:15 | TNT Sports 5, Discovery+ |
| Macclesfield FC v Crystal Palace | Saturday 10 Jan, 12:15 | BBC One, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website, Discovery+ |
| Wolves v Shrewsbury Town | Saturday 10 Jan, 12:15 | TNT Sports 6, Discovery+ |
| Bristol City v Watford | Saturday 10 Jan, 17:45 | TNT Sports 7, Discovery+ |
| Cambridge United v Birmingham City | Saturday 10 Jan, 17:45 | TNT Sports 6, Discovery+ |
| Grimsby Town v Weston Super Mare | Saturday 10 Jan, 17:45 | TNT Sports 5, Discovery+ |
| Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa | Saturday 10 Jan, 17:45 | BBC One, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports 9, BBC Sport Website, Discovery+ |
| Charlton Athletic v Chelsea | Saturday 10 Jan, 20:00 | TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, Discovery+ |
| Derby County v Leeds United | Sunday 11 Jan, 12:00 | TNT Sports 2, Discovery+ |
| Portsmouth v Arsenal | Sunday 11 Jan, 14:00 | TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, Discovery+ |
| Hull City v Blackburn Rovers | Sunday 11 Jan, 14:30 | TNT Sports 7, Discovery+ |
| Norwich City v Walsall | Sunday 11 Jan, 14:30 | TNT Sports 9, Discovery+ |
| Sheffield United v Mansfield Town | Sunday 11 Jan, 14:30 | TNT Sports 8, Discovery+ |
| Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion | Sunday 11 Jan, 14:30 | TNT Sports 6, Discovery+ |
| West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers | Sunday 11 Jan, 14:30 | TNT Sports 5, Discovery+ |
| Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion | Sunday 11 Jan, 16:30 | TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports Ultimate, Discovery+ |
| Liverpool v Barnsley | Monday 12 Jan, 19:45 | TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, Discovery+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch FA Cup matches for free?
Free-to-air options are available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for selected games like Macclesfield FC v Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa. Highlights of all matches are also shown on BBC Sport.
Where can I stream TNT Sports and Discovery+?
TNT Sports is available via Sky, Virgin Media, EE TV, and Discovery+. Discovery+ offers standalone subscriptions or bundles with TNT Sports, starting from £30.99 per month.
Are there any international viewing options?
Outside the UK, ESPN+ streams matches in the US, while Stan Sport covers Australia. VPN services may be needed for geo-restricted content.