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The 2025–26 Emirates FA Cup marks the 145th edition of England’s oldest and most prestigious football competition.
It is set to kick off with the First Round Proper on November 1, 2025, and will conclude with the Final at Wembley Stadium on May 16, 2026.
This season will feature around 736 teams from all levels of the English football pyramid, including the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, and non-league clubs.
You can watch the FA Cup in Canada for free on BBC iPlayer. Sportsnet+ offer the FA Cup with a premium subscription. I’ve also added a couple of free methods in the blog to watch every FA Cup game live.
However, a VPN like ExpressVPN will be needed to access BBC iPlayer and to stream through the unofficial free methods in Canada.
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When & Where is the FA Cup 2025-26 Happening?
- Date: November 1, 2025 – May 16, 2026
- Venue: Different venues around the UK. The final will be played at Wembley Stadium, London
- Platforms: Sportsnet+, BBC iPlayer
How to Watch the FA Cup in Canada for Free
BBC iPlayer has official rights to broadcast different FA Cup 2025-26 matches on its platforms. This include 2 live matches from each round up to the quarter-finals, 1 semi-final and the final.
However, it is UK-based, and a VPN like ExpressVPN will be required to unblock it in Canada.
Follow these steps to watch the FA Cup in Canada for free on BBC iPlayer:
Step 1: Sign up with a VPN service. Surfshark is our recommended choice
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device.
Step 3: Open the VPN and connect it to a UK server.
Step 4: Visit BBC iPlayer website and click on Sign In.
Step 5: Enter your Email.
Step 6: Click on Register.
Step 7: Go back to the homepage, use the search bar to search FA Cup.
Step 8: Choose the match.
Step 9: Click the Play Button.
Step 10: Watch Live for free!
2 Ways to Watch the FA Cup in Canada
Here are some of the best ways to watch the FA Cup 2025-26 in Canada.
1. BBC iPlayer (Free)
BBC iPlayer is a UK-based free video-on-demand service that will broadcast 18 matches this season.
You can stream these FA Cup matches live in Canada using the BBC iPlayer platform with the help of a VPN like ExpressVPN. The VPN will give a valid UK IP address to its Canadian users.
Read more: How to watch BBC iPlayer in Canada
2. Sportsnet+
Sportsnet+ is the official broadcaster of the FA Cup 2025-26 in Canada. The streaming service broadcasts FA Cup matches and other major sports to its subscribers.
Sportsnet’s digital platform, Sportsnet+, lets you enjoy more than 50 games of the FA Cup with a premium plan subscription.
Monthly subscription of premium plans costs $42.99/mo & an annual subscription costs $324.99/yr.
How to Watch the FA Cup in Canada for Free on a Mobile Phone
You can use any of the premium platforms mentioned in the blog to watch the FA Cup. Alternatively, you can also opt for free sports apps like RapidStreamz, SportzX, or RBTV33.
The third option is to use free sports websites like dlhd.sx OR viprow.nu and enter these URLs directly in your device browser.
Both methods provide access to free live sports channels and streams. However, it is very important to use a VPN for the free methods.
Follow the steps below to watch the FA Cup in Canada on your mobile phone via Sportsnet:
Step 1: Download and install Surfshark VPN App and connect to the any server.
Step 2: Download and install SportsX APK.
Step 3: Open the app and click search for the FA Cup matches listed.
Step 4: Start streaming live when it streams.
FA Cup 2025-26 Events
- First round: November 1
- Second round: December 6
- Third round (when Premier League and Championship sides enter the FA Cup): January 10, 2026
- Fourth round: February 14, 2026
- Fifth round: March 7, 2026
- Quarter-finals: April 4, 2026
- Semi-finals: April 25, 2026
- Final: May 16, 2026
FA Cup 2025-26 Schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the FA Cup 2025-26 First Round proper in Eastern time & Date:
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 31 | Luton Town vs Forest Green | 3:30 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Chelmsford City vs Braintree Town | 8:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Salford City vs Lincoln City | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Mansfield Town vs Harrogate Town | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Buxton vs Chatham Town | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Bromley vs Bristol Rovers | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Fleetwood vs Barnet | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Weston-super-Mare vs Aldershot Town | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Blackpool vs Scunthorpe | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | FC Halifax Town vs Exeter City | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Wycombe vs Plymouth | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Burton vs St Albans City | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Sutton United vs AFC Telford United | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Crewe Alexandra vs Doncaster | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Colchester vs MK Dons | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Bolton vs Huddersfield | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Newport County vs Gillingham | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Cambridge United vs Chester FC | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Spennymoor Town vs Barrow | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Reading vs Carlisle | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Boreham Wood vs Crawley Town | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Macclesfield vs AFC Totton | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Slough Town vs Altrincham | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Tranmere vs Stockport | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Cheltenham vs Bradford City | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Wigan Athletic vs Hemel Hempstead | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Rotherham vs Swindon Town | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Oldham Athletic vs Northampton Town | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Peterborough vs Cardiff City | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Wealdstone vs Southend Utd | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | AFC Wimbledon vs Gateshead | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Barnsley vs York City | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Grimsby Town vs Ebbsfleet United | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Stevenage vs Chesterfield | 11:00 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Brackley Town vs Notts County | 1:30 p.m. |
| Sun, Nov 2 | South Shields vs Shrewsbury | 7:00 a.m. |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Eastleigh vs Walsall | 9:15 a.m. |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Port Vale vs Maldon & Tiptree | 10:00 a.m. |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Gainsborough Trinity vs Accrington Stanley | 12:15 p.m. |
| Mon, Nov 3 | Tamworth vs Leyton Orient | 2:30 p.m. |
Football Leagues to Watch in Canada
Here’s a list of other Live football leagues that you can watch in Canada with the help of ExpressVPN:
- Watch the English Premier League in Canada
- Watch Serie A in Canada
- Watch La Liga in Canada
- Watch CFL in Canada
- Watch Major League Soccer in Canada.
- Watch the UEFA Champions League in Canada
FAQs – FA Cup
1. What significant format changes have been introduced for this season?
Replays have been removed from the first round proper. Additionally, all rounds are scheduled on weekends, and the fourth, fifth and quarter-final rounds are played on weekends that are free of Premier League fixtures.
2. When do Premier League and Championship teams enter the competition?
Clubs from the Premier League and Championship join the competition in the third round proper, which for 2025-26 is scheduled for 10 January 2026.
3. Who has won the FA Cup the most?
Liverpool FC holds the record for the most FA Cup wins. with 8 wins.
4. How is the FA Cup structured?
The FA Cup follows a knockout format. It begins with qualifying rounds for non-league clubs, then progresses to the First Round Proper with League One and League Two teams.
The Third Round Proper sees the Premier League and Championship teams join, and the competition continues through to the Final.
Conclusion
The 2025–26 FA Cup will run from November 1, 2025, through to the Final on May 16, 2026.
You can watch the FA Cup in Canada via free and premium streaming services like BBC iPlayer, and Sportsnet. I have included a few methods to catch up entire league for free.
However, you would need to use a VPN like ExpressVPN forfree streaming on BBC iPlayer & free methods in Canada.
