ITV has announced a new deal to show live FA Cup matches which will make the competition available entirely on free-to-air television from the 2021/22 season.
The new four-year deal with the Football Association will see ITV cover the full breadth of the cup each season, from the first round through to and including the final, sharing coverage with the BBC from 2021/22 to 2024/25.
Live coverage of more than 20 matches will be shown each season and the deal also includes exclusive live coverage of the FA Community Shield each year.
ITV, which last broadcast FA Cup coverage in 2014, has effectively taken over the live rights to the competition which are currently held by BT Sport.
It means that the UK’s two biggest free-to-air networks will return to sharing coverage of football’s oldest cup competition for the first time since 1988.
In terms of match picks, ITV will have first pick and fourth pick of matches in the second round, fourth round and the quarter-finals, as well as second and third picks for the first, third and fifth rounds and second pick of the semi-finals.
Commenting on the return of FA Cup football to ITV, Niall Sloane, ITV’s director of sport, said:
“We are delighted to be able to broadcast the FA Cup once again. We are particularly pleased that we shared The FA’s vision of a completely free-to-air competition and look forward to bringing new viewers all along the road to Wembley Stadium.”
Alongside ITV’s allocation of more than 20 live matches, up to 18 fixtures a season will be televised by the BBC, which will also broadcast highlights of every round.
Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Commercial & Football Development Officer, added:
“The Emirates FA Cup continues to capture the public’s imagination, drawing millions of viewers at every stage. 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.”
The return of FA Cup matches from 2021 will see ITV broadcast regular live football during the season for the first time since 2015, when its long-standing coverage of the Champions League ended, with BT Sport taking over exclusive rights to UEFA European competitions.
While its football portfolio took a further dent with the loss of free-to-air Champions League and Europa League highlights last season, ITV has retained its place as the exclusive free-to-air home of England’s qualifiers for both Euro 2020 and World Cup, as well as highlights of the UEFA Nations League.
Other world class sporting events broadcast by ITV Sport include Six Nations and exclusive coverage of the Rugby World Cup, top level boxing, UK horse racing, Tour de France cycling and French Open tennis.
