FA Cup set to be entirely free-to-air after ITV strike rights deal to share with BBC

From 2021 the FA Cup will be entirely free-to-air after ITV announced they are set to replace BT Sport in sharing the rights with the BBC.

7.4million viewers tuned in to watch last weekend’s final between Manchester City and Watford on BBC One, while more than 7million watched Chelsea’s fifth round clash against Manchester United, also on the BBC.

The FA Cup has not been shared by the BBC and ITV since 1988, when Wimbledon beat Liverpool, and has been shared between BBC and BT Sport since 2014, before which ITV shared the rights. As part of the deal ITV will also own the rights to show the Community Shield in each of the four seasons covered by the agreement.

FA chief Mark Bullingham said: "This agreement with ITV is fantastic news and means that we will reach the broadest possible audience across the country.

“ITV has been a great broadcast partner with the England Men’s Internationals and will do a brilliant job with the coverage of the world’s most historic cup competition.”

Both ITV and BBC have deals signed from 2021 through to 2025, with ITV showing more than 20 live matches a season and BBC up to 18.