How To Watch the FA Cup Live & Free From Anywhere (2025)

Most free FA Cup live streams are riddled with intrusive pop-ups and frequent interruptions. While some countries offer free official streams, they often only cover limited matches. Various paid platforms are also available, like ESPN+ in the US and DAZN in Spain and Italy.

How can I stream the FA Cup Finals live? BBC iPlayer provides free access to 18 FA Cup matches, including the Finals (The FA, 2025)¹. ITVX is another free option, covering over 20 games. A reliable VPN can stream FA Cup matches live online in HD from anywhere. Premium VPNs also prevent your ISP from detecting your activity and throttling your speed, which means no buffering during crucial moments.

After we tested 52 VPNs, ExpressVPN is my top choice for watching the FA Cup live on BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and more. Its 6 UK server locations consistently deliver stable speeds for HD streaming, even during peak match times. It’s also compatible with all the sports streaming services we tested and various popular devices, including Smart TVs. Your first purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee*, so you can try it confidently. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Watching the FA Cup in 2025

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How To Watch the FA Cup Live From Anywhere in HD

Where can I watch the FA Cup in Spain, Italy, and the US? The FA Cup airs on various platforms worldwide, with BBC and ITVX offering free streams for UK viewers. In Spain and Italy, DAZN lets you stream selected matches for €19.99 per month (DAZN, 2025)². It offers various sport-specific subscriptions, and signing up is straightforward.

ESPN+ is the exclusive home of FA Cup matches in the US, streaming 79 games per season (ESPN Press Room, 2024)³. Subscriptions are relatively affordable, starting at $11.99 per month. It’s a great option if you want to watch all of your team’s matches without juggling multiple subscriptions. Here’s how you can sign up for ESPN.

A VPN with servers worldwide provides a reliable way to stream the FA Cup from anywhere in excellent quality. Many VPNs even offer free trials and money-back guarantees, which you can use to watch some matches and highlights for free.

1. Download a Reliable VPN

Visit the VPN's website and download the appropriate app for your device. I recommend ExpressVPN for its ease of use and fast servers in 105 countries that provide reliable HD and 4K streaming speeds. Plus, it’s compatible with all major streaming devices, including Android and Apple TV.

Its MediaStreamer feature works on any smart TV

2. Connect to a Server

Launch your VPN app and connect to a server. The server closest to your location generally provides the best speed for uninterrupted viewing. A UK IP address is needed to watch the FA Cup for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

We got the best performance from the London server

3. Open Your Preferred Streaming Platform

Visit a service like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, beIN Sports, ESPN, or Sky Sports. Many of these services also broadcast top-flight leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga, so there's always something exciting to watch.

You can access the BBC iPlayer website through your browser or download the app. The app is available on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices. Once installed, it offers features like offline downloads and personalized playlists.

You need to confirm your age before registering

If you prefer watching the FA Cup on ITVX, signing up is just as easy. Note that, like BBC iPlayer, ITVX is only available in the UK and requires a valid TV license to watch live content. However, you typically don't need to provide proof.

4. Create an Account

You'll be prompted to provide personal details such as your date of birth, email address, and a password. During registration, you'll need to enter a valid UK postcode. Once registered, signing in lets you resume watching programs across different devices and receive personalized recommendations.

The signup process takes under 2 minutes

5. Start Watching FA Cup Matches

Find the FA Cup section to start streaming matches live or on demand. If you miss the live broadcast, BBC iPlayer and ITVX both offer full match replays and highlights. Both platforms stream in HD quality when you maintain a stable VPN connection.

Highlights are available for 2 months after the match

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Where Can I Watch the FA Cup Online?

The FA Cup is broadcast through several official channels worldwide, with BBC and ITV sharing the rights in the UK, where matches stream for free. International viewers need specific sports streaming services or cable packages to watch matches. The broadcasting rights vary by region and can change between tournament rounds.

These streaming services provide live matches and on-demand replays, though availability can vary depending on the tournament stage. Some early-round matches may have limited international coverage compared to later stages and the final.

Best VPNs for Watching the FA Cup From Anywhere in 2025

The best VPNs provide stable HD access to platforms like BBC iPlayer, DAZN, and ITVX for live FA Cup coverage from anywhere. After we tested dozens of VPNs with these streaming services, I shortlisted the ones with consistently fast servers for live football streaming and support for smart TVs so you can watch matches on a big screen.

1. ExpressVPN — Fastest VPN To Watch FA Cup Matches Live Without Buffering

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested April 2025

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol makes it possible to stream the FA Cup in HD from anywhere without compromising security. 4K streaming requires 25Mbps, and we measured 198.22Mbps while testing ExpressVPN’s London server. Lightway Turbo takes it further on Windows by routing traffic through multiple server tunnels and leveraging extra CPU power for a speed boost. This makes ExpressVPN a reliable option for live sports, even if your base speed is low. We watched Bournemouth vs. Man City in crystal-clear quality.

Streaming football matches on a big screen is easy with ExpressVPN’s native smart TV apps. If your TV doesn’t support VPNs, its MediaStreamer Smart DNS (functional for UK and US content) lets you set up ExpressVPN on any device, including Chromecast and gaming consoles. The VPN's custom router firmware also streamlines the process of safely watching FA Cup matches on any device connected to your home network.

The only downside is that pricing starts at $4.99/month. However, ExpressVPN regularly offers discounts up to 61% on long-term commitments. You get up to 8 device connections with every purchase, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users, so you can try it out risk-free.

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers to Stream the FA Cup Online in Just a Few Clicks

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has dedicated servers that can reliably access FA Cup broadcasters like BBC iPlayer, DAZN, and ITVX from anywhere. These servers are regularly updated to provide the best streaming experience. Finding them takes seconds — just click For streaming and search for your preferred platform. During testing, we connected to the BBC iPlayer-optimized server in seconds.

Although it’s slightly slower than ExpressVPN, with 168.97Mbps on UK servers in our tests, we could watch Preston vs. Aston Villa without interruptions. On the downside, the monthly plan is pricey, with a shorter refund period than most competitors. However, long-term offers cost just $2.03/month and come with a 45-day money-back guarantee. This lets you watch several FA Cup rounds risk-free while testing the service.

3. Private Internet Access — Extensive Server Network to Securely Access FA Cup Streams From Anywhere

Works With:

ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix Disney+

APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

With PIA’s thousands of servers across all countries airing FA Cup games, you can easily find one near you to watch the event live safely. An extensive network also means you avoid slowdowns due to overcrowding. In our tests, we had no problem connecting to 25 servers across its network, and they all let us stream 5th round and quarter-final matches in HD. Like CyberGhost, PIA also has streaming servers, but they’re optimized for specific countries, like the UK and the US.

PIA offers many customization options, which may seem complex for beginners. Luckily, using its default setting, it's possible to access FA Cup streams from anywhere safely. Pricing starts at just $2.03/month and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited simultaneous connections.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for FA Cup Streaming

We first tested the VPNs’ ability to stream the FA Cup live without delays by evaluating their network capacity and speeds. Our global team also checked if the VPNs are compatible with major streaming platforms that stream the FA Cup, like BBC iPlayer, ITV, and ESPN. Each VPN was tested on various devices, including mobile and desktop devices, Smart TVs, and routers.

FA Cup Tournament Structure & Schedule

Marking its 144th iteration, the 2024/25 FA Cup kicked off with the Extra Preliminary Round on August 3, 2024. The tournament's scheduling can be complex due to replays and TV broadcasting rights. If a match ends in a draw during the earlier rounds (up to the Fourth Round), teams play a replay at the opposite team's ground. The semifinals and final are single showdowns, with this season’s epic conclusion set for May 17th at Wembley Stadium.

Key broadcast times for major rounds:

• Early rounds: Usually 3 PM GMT on Saturdays
• Later rounds: Mix of afternoon and evening kickoffs
• Semi-finals: Typically 5:30 PM GMT Saturday/Sunday
• Final: Traditional 3 PM GMT Saturday kickoff

Live coverage includes:

• Pre-match analysis (starts 30-45 minutes before kickoff)
• Full match coverage
• Post-match interviews and highlights
• Extended highlights shows on match days

Most broadcasters offer catch-up services if you miss the live broadcast. BBC iPlayer keeps FA Cup matches available for 30 days after the original air date.

FAQs on Watching the FA Cup With a VPN

Can I use a free VPN to watch the FA Cup?

Free VPNs are not reliable for streaming the FA Cup. Most free services struggle to maintain stable connections for live sports streaming, leading to frequent disconnections during crucial moments. Premium VPNs with a money-back guarantee are a better option for those on a budget. Unlike most free VPNs, they’re compatible with streaming services broadcasting the FA Cup and don’t have data caps that restrict HD streaming.

Why can't my VPN stream the FA Cup?

If your VPN isn't working with FA Cup streams, the streaming service has likely detected and blocked the VPN's IP addresses. This is common, as only the best VPNs work with popular streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer and ESPN+. Try updating your VPN app, disabling location services, or using a different browser. If nothing works, consider switching to another VPN provider.

What's the difference between BBC and ITV FA Cup coverage?

BBC and ITV share FA Cup broadcasting rights in the UK, so you might need to sign up to both platforms to watch all FA Cup games. These two are also the only ones offering free streams of the FA Cup. BBC typically broadcasts more early-round matches and offers extensive highlight packages through BBC iPlayer. ITV focuses on later rounds and provides additional commentary and analysis through ITVX.

Where can I watch FA Cup replays and highlights?

The FA's official YouTube channel posts match highlights shortly after games end. These are usually 5-10 minute packages showing key moments. For full match replays, BBC iPlayer and ITVX are your best options. Full match replays are typically available for 30 days after the live broadcast on BBC iPlayer, while highlight packages stay accessible for longer.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching the FA Cup from anywhere...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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References

1. https://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/emirates-fa-cup-global-broadcast-partners/
2. https://www.dazn.com/en-ES/welcome/
3. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/05/espn-the-english-fa-agree-to-four-year-extension-of-the-emirates-fa-cup-media-rights-in-the-u-s/