Buckle up, football fans – the 2025-26 Emirates FA Cup Third Round is gearing up to deliver heart-pounding thrills and potential upsets that could shake the entire league! Imagine lower-division underdogs taking on Premier League heavyweights in matches that might just redefine their seasons. But here's where it gets intriguing: with a packed schedule and mixed broadcasting deals, not every clash gets the national spotlight it deserves. Let's dive into the full details and uncover what makes this round so special.
First off, for those new to the FA Cup – think of it as English football's oldest knockout tournament, a thrilling journey where even non-league sides can dream of lifting the trophy. The third round kicks off on Friday, January 9, 2026, and runs through Monday, January 12, 2026, featuring a total of 22 exciting fixtures that fans can catch live. All kick-off times are listed in GMT, so mark your calendars and set those reminders. And this is the part most people miss: the variety in broadcast platforms means some games are prime-time events on major channels, while others are tucked away on streaming services – but more on that controversial aspect later.
Starting with Friday, January 9, 2026, we've got four matches all kicking off at 19:30. Milton Keynes Dons will face off against Oxford United, streamed exclusively on discovery+. Port Vale takes on Fleetwood Town, also on discovery+. Preston North End clashes with Wigan Athletic, again on discovery+. And for a taste of star power, Wrexham battles Nottingham Forest, broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
Saturday, January 10, 2026, ramps up the action with multiple time slots. At 12:15, Cheltenham Town meets Leicester City on discovery+, Everton squares up against Sunderland on the same platform, and Macclesfield versus Crystal Palace gets major airtime on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1, and discovery+. Wolverhampton Wanderers tackles Shrewsbury Town, streamed on discovery+. Then at 15:00, it's a flurry of fixtures: Boreham Wood against Burton Albion, Burnley facing Millwall, Doncaster Rovers versus Southampton, Fulham up against Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town battling Blackpool, Manchester City taking on Exeter City, Newcastle United clashing with AFC Bournemouth, Salford City versus Swindon Town, Sheffield Wednesday meeting Brentford, and Stoke City opposing Coventry City. At 17:45, Bristol City plays Watford on discovery+, Cambridge United faces Birmingham City on discovery+, Tottenham Hotspur goes head-to-head with Aston Villa on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1, and discovery+, and Grimsby Town challenges Weston Super Mare on discovery+. Finally, at 20:00, Charlton Athletic hosts Chelsea, airing on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
Sunday, January 11, 2026, continues the excitement. At 12:00, Derby County welcomes Leeds United on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+. At 14:00, Portsmouth meets Arsenal on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+. Then at 14:30, Hull City battles Blackburn Rovers on discovery+, Norwich City faces Walsall on discovery+, Sheffield United takes on Mansfield Town on discovery+, Swansea City confronts West Bromwich Albion on discovery+, and West Ham United clashes with Queens Park Rangers on discovery+. Rounding out the day at 16:30, Manchester United opposes Brighton & Hove Albion on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
Monday, January 12, 2026, wraps up the round with a late-night treat at 19:45: Liverpool versus Barnsley, broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
Now, let's talk about the financial side, which might surprise you. Every single one of the 64 clubs participating in the FA Cup gets a guaranteed payout from the prize fund, regardless of winning or losing their match – a nice nod to fairness in the knockout format. Clubs whose games are selected for live TV broadcasts on traditional linear channels receive an extra £80,000, while those featured solely on discovery+ streaming get £40,000. These selections are worked out collaboratively with the teams, local authorities, police, and broadcasters to ensure smooth operations.
And this is where it gets controversial: Is the broadcast system equitable, or does it unfairly favor certain clubs with bigger followings? Some argue that equalizing prize money or mandating more games on free-to-air channels could level the playing field for smaller teams. What do you think – should the FA rethink these deals to give every match a chance in the spotlight, or is the current setup just the way competitive sports work? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear agreements, disagreements, or fresh ideas!
The fourth round draw will be live on TNT Sports right before the Liverpool versus Barnsley match on Monday, January 12, 2026, with the new ties scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15, 2026. For the latest results from the Emirates FA Cup, check out https://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/results.
By the Competitions Department
