Having been aired consecutively on the BBC from 2014-15, it was announced yesterday that TNT Sports had struck a deal to show FA Cup football from 2025-26 and fans on Twitter are not happy.
TNT Sports FA Cup Deal
The Football Association yesterday announced a 4-year deal with TNT Sports for the broadcaster to air FA Cup fixtures from the 2025-26 season.
The news comes after TNT Sports, formerly BT Sport, struck a £900m deal in 2015 to exclusively show UEFA Champions League fixtures. Previous to this the competition had been broadcast free-to-air on ITV since 1992, and alongside Sky since 2003.
On the deal, FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham said: “TNT Sports are an outstanding broadcaster with an impressive record of showing some of the biggest and best sporting events around the world.
“We are delighted to be working with them on our shared commitment and long-term vision that will ensure the Emirates FA Cup continues to thrive over the coming years.”
TNT Sports added that the partnership “will ensure that the world’s longest-running national knockout football competition continues to be as broadly available as possible across the UK”.
Before adding: “Selected matches from every round will be available free-to-air, and highlights of every game will be made available.”
The BBC and ITV currently share the rights to show the FA Cup and it is likely they will battle it out to remain as the ‘free-to-air’ option as mentioned in TNT Sports’ announcement.
Fans React To TNT Sports FA Cup Announcement
Althought TNT Sports have stated that there will still be a free-to-air option, the uncertainty over the FA Cup’s future has stirred an adverse reaction among football fans. See some of the best reactions below.
FA Cup moving to TNT is a disgrace. Oldest tournament in the world behind another paywall….
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) February 15, 2024
FA Cup behind a Paywall https://t.co/uFh2DYFquo pic.twitter.com/8aSauAPERN
— harry (@bhafc_harry) February 15, 2024
The FA Cup going to TNT Sports has eliminated any reasoning to have a tv licence if the BBC won’t be showing it.
— Rebekka (@rebekkarnold) February 15, 2024
TNT subscribers when they accidentally watch 1 minute of the FA Cup instead of 2 hours of Burger King ads pic.twitter.com/spqgp9Fi8z
— ReallyTired 🇲🇾 (@SoTerriblyTired) February 16, 2024
RIP the FA Cup. 🪦
With the rights changing to TNT Sports in 2025/26, this prices out the average fan who can’t afford an extra subscription. The FA have sold their soul. 💷
Massive own goal here. pic.twitter.com/w2OfBJikqY
— John McNicoll (@theWishyman80) February 16, 2024
This is disgusting!
The ONCE great FA Cup competition now exclusively on TNT Sports from 2025/26, so taking it away from the free to air channels BBC & ITV.
So now expecting people to pay a subscription fee to watch it
The ONCE great club competition is now on its way out! #FACup https://t.co/whg4VIA1Cg— TV Football 1968-92 (@1968Tv) February 15, 2024
The FA cup departing the BBC and ITV for TNT bloody sports really is the final nail in the coffin for what was the world's greatest knockout competition. Less exposure. Less ratings. Less fucks given by pretty much everyone. What a shame.
— Dan (@DanielDaws1) February 15, 2024
Do you think the FA Cup’s move to TNT Sports could lead to the death of English football’s most historic competition?
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