ITV announces new FA Cup broadcast deal; BT Sport loses rights

ITV today announced a new broadcast deal to show the FA Cup entirely free-to-air to viewers from 2021.

The new four-year deal with The FA will see live coverage of more than 20 matches be shown each season from 2021/22 through to 2024/25, and the deal also includes live coverage of The FA Community Shield each year.

Sharing coverage with the BBC, 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.

“We are delighted to be able to broadcast the FA Cup once again,” said Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport.

“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 the along the road to Wembley Stadium.”

BT Sport obtained the rights to the FA Cup through its acquisition of ESPN, who had one year remaining in their existing contract.

In 2016, BT extended its contract with The Football Association to show up to 30 live games a season from the competition from 2018–19 to 2020–21.