FA Cup will be entirely free-to-air from 2021 as ITV seals broadcast deal

The FA Cup will be broadcast entirely on free-to-air television from 2021 after ITV announced a four-year broadcast deal with the Football Association.

ITV has revealed it will screen 20 live matches per season in the world’s oldest football competition from 2021/22 to 2024/25, sharing coverage with the BBC from the opening round through to the final.

ITV will have the first and fourth choices of the second and fourth rounds and the quarter-finals as well as second and third selections for the first, third and fifth rounds.

The BBC will have first choice for the semi-finals in the deal.

FA chief commercial & football development officer Mark Bullingham said: “This agreement with ITV is fantastic news and means that we will reach the broadest possible audience across the country.”

The deal also includes live coverage of The FA Community Shield each year.