The start time has been confirmed for the 2025/26 FA Cup final, culminating the latest edition of the most high-profile cup competition in English football.
A total of 124 teams took part in the main competition, which featured one of the greatest shocks in history when non-league Macclesfield knocked out holders Crystal Palace.
The Eagles caused a surprise in last season’s final, beating seven-time champions Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
101GreatGoals.com has full details on the start time for the 2026 FA Cup final, plus the confirmed broadcast information for the match.
What time is the FA Cup final 2026?
The FA have announced that this season’s final, which will be held on Saturday, May 16 2026, will kick off at 15:00 BST, which is 10:00 ET and 07:00 PT.
Where to watch the 2025/26 FA Cup final: TV channel
The FA Cup final will be shown live on BBC One, TNT Sports and HBO Max.
2026 FA Cup final live stream: How to watch online
In the UK, fans can stream the action via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer app. TNT Sports and HBO Max can be streamed through the HBO Max app.
TNT Sports subscriptions start at £30.99 including Eurosport and entertainment. Both apps are available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
| Date | Time | Channel | Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, May 16 2026 | 15:00 BST | BBC One, TNT Sports | iPlayer, HBO Max |
Analysis: Who will win the 2025/26 FA Cup?
Manchester City are odds-on with bookmakers after the Cityzens hammered Liverpool 4-0 at home to extend their own record by reaching the semi-finals for an eighth successive season.
City thrashed third-tier Exeter City 10-1 at home in the third round and fourth-tier visitors Salford City 2-0 in the fourth round, then came from behind to win 3-1 at Newcastle.
Pep Guardiola’s side could win both major domestic cup competitions, having prevailed in the EFL Cup final against Arsenal on March 22 when Nico O’Reilly scored two headers inside five second-half minutes.
Chelsea are the most successful team in the history of the competition still involved this time, triumphing eight times.
The second-favourites were highly impressive in their initial two away ties under former manager Liam Rosenior, beating Championship opponents Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the Englishman’s first game in charge and hammering one of his former clubs, Hull City, 4-0 in the fourth round.
The Blues then fell behind twice at Championship club Wrexham and recovered to win 4-2 after extra time before a far easier contest against Vale, winning 7-0.
Third-favourites Leeds’ route to the final four has included wins on penalties at Championship club Birmingham City and top-flight rivals West Ham.
Promotion winners last season, the Whites beat Chelsea 3-1 at home in December and drew 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in February.
Southampton are the outsiders and may take encouragement from Palace’s underdog win over City in that final last season.
Saints were on a remarkable run when they were drawn against City, going 16 matches unbeaten in all competitions and winning 13 times along the way.
