The magic of the FA Cup returns this weekend as the competition's iconic third round takes centre stage. From Friday 9th to Monday 12th January 2026, a total of 22 matches will see Premier League giants face off against lower-league opposition in a series of potential giant-killings.
For smaller clubs, progression is about more than glory; it's a vital financial lifeline. Any team that advances to the fourth round will earn £121,500, while defeated clubs still receive a welcome £26,500. For top-flight sides, this stage often offers a chance to rotate squads and test fringe players, though several heavyweight clashes will demand full-strength line-ups.
FA Cup Third Round TV Schedule and Broadcast Details
Fans across the UK can follow every match through a combination of broadcasters. TNT Sports and BBC One will show selected fixtures, while discovery+ will provide extensive live streaming coverage. Below is the full schedule of televised and streamed games.
Friday 9th January 2026
The action begins on Friday evening with four matches. The standout tie sees Wrexham host Nottingham Forest on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+. Three other 19:30 kick-offs – Milton Keynes Dons v Oxford United, Port Vale v Fleetwood Town, and Preston North End v Wigan Athletic – will be available to stream exclusively on discovery+.
Saturday 10th January 2026
Saturday is packed with drama, starting at 12:15. Macclesfield's clash with Crystal Palace will be broadcast on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1, and discovery+. Everton v Sunderland and Cheltenham Town v Leicester City are among the other early games on discovery+.
The 15:00 slot features nine matches, including Manchester City versus Exeter City and Newcastle United hosting AFC Bournemouth. These are not scheduled for live TV broadcast but highlights will be available.
Later, the evening's headline fixture sees Tottenham Hotspur take on Aston Villa at 17:45, live on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1, and discovery+. The day concludes with Charlton Athletic welcoming Chelsea at 20:00 on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
Sunday 11th January 2026
Sunday's schedule is headlined by a top-tier encounter as Portsmouth face Arsenal at 14:00 on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+. The day kicks off with Derby County against Leeds United at 12:00 on TNT Sports 2.
The weekend's action culminates with Manchester United meeting Brighton & Hove Albion at 16:30, shown on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
Monday 12th January 2026
The third round concludes on Monday night with a tantalising fixture at Anfield. Liverpool, with stars like Florian Wirtz, will play Barnsley at 19:45, broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
Key Fixtures and What's at Stake
While many Premier League teams face lower-division opponents, several all-Premier League duels promise high-intensity football. Tottenham v Aston Villa and Newcastle v Bournemouth are matches where managers are unlikely to rest key players.
For clubs like Salford City, Grimsby Town, and Boreham Wood, the third round represents a rare opportunity to create history and secure a financially transformative victory. The blend of these narratives – elite competition and romantic underdog stories – is what makes the FA Cup's third round a unmissable event in the British sporting calendar.
