Chelsea and Leeds United are set for a huge 2026 Emirates FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 26 April 2026, with kick-off at 3:00 pm BST. The winner will move one step closer to lifting the trophy in the final at Wembley on Saturday, 16 May 2026.
This match has a rich history and includes elements of tension, the pressure of Wembley, and a strong belief from both clubs that the competition is within their grasp.
Chelsea boasts a strong pedigree in the FA Cup, while Leeds is aiming to reach the final for the first time since the early 1970s.
Chelsea vs Leeds United – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Chelsea vs Leeds United |
| Competition | English FA Cup (Semi-Final) |
| Date | Sunday, 26 April 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 15:00 BST / 19:30 IST |
| Venue | Wembley Stadium, London |
| Referee | Jarred Gillett |
| FA Cup form | Chelsea: W W W W Leeds United: W W W W |
Chelsea vs Leeds United is being played at Wembley Stadium as one of the two men’s FA Cup semi-finals. The tie is scheduled for Sunday 26 April 2026 at 3:00 pm BST and will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
Road to the Semi-Final
Chelsea have blasted their way into the semi-finals with one of the most devastating cup runs in the competition. Their path included wins over Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Wrexham, and a huge 7-0 victory over Port Vale in the quarter-finals. That run has given the Blues 20 FA Cup goals this season, the most of any team left in the competition.
Leeds, meanwhile, have taken a more dramatic route to Wembley. Their quarter-final against West Ham United ended in a 4-2 penalty shootout win after the match finished level following extra time. Leeds had been two goals ahead before being pegged back, but they held their nerve from the spot to book a place in the semi-final.
Head-to-Head Record
History leans strongly toward Chelsea in this cup rivalry. The two clubs have met six times previously in the FA Cup, and Chelsea have progressed from all six ties, according to The FA and Chelsea’s official preview. Their most recent FA Cup meeting came in the 2023/24 fifth round, which Chelsea also won.
That gives the Blues a strong psychological edge, but Wembley changes the mood of a tie like this. Leeds will know that history is not the same thing as destiny, especially with one game separating them from a final appearance.
Chelsea Team News and Form
Chelsea:
Major concerns surround Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, though both trained on Friday and may feature. The Blues are definitely without Estevao Willian (hamstring), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Levi Colwill (ACL recovery). Mykhaylo Mudryk is also unavailable due to a doping ban.
Chelsea comes into this match in strong scoring form and with plenty of momentum from the cup. Their official statistics page highlights a few eye-catching numbers: Estevão Willian became the youngest player to both score and assist in an FA Cup game for a Premier League side since Bukayo Saka, while Pedro Neto is in line for his 100th appearance for the club if selected.
Leeds United:
Midfielder Ilia Gruev is out for the season. There are late fitness tests for Anton Stach, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Jayden Bogle; however, Bogle is expected to start. Joe Rodon is likely to return to the starting XI.
The Blues have also been building confidence at Cobham ahead of the semi-final, with the club’s official match page noting that preparation ramped up during the week before Wembley. Chelsea’s camp clearly see this as a major opportunity to return to the final for the first time since 2022.
Leeds United Team News and Form
Leeds arrive with plenty of belief after a hard-fought cup run and a dramatic quarter-final success. Their official preview describes the club as a side with a long and proud FA Cup history, including winning the competition in 1971/72, and notes that this is their first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years.
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu said the team are in the semi-final to try to get to the final, while manager Daniel Farke stressed that the Whites will stay true to their identity. That suggests a Leeds side that will try to play with courage rather than simply survive the occasion.
Tactical Battle
Chelsea’s biggest strength in this competition has been their attacking volume. Their route to Wembley has produced a huge goal tally, and their official stats page shows multiple scorers contributing across the bracket rather than the team relying on just one finisher. That makes them dangerous from different angles and difficult to contain over 90 minutes.
Leeds, on the other hand, have shown resilience and match management in the knockout rounds. Their penalty shootout win over West Ham proved they can survive pressure, recover momentum, and keep their nerve when the game becomes chaotic. That kind of experience can matter a lot at Wembley, especially in a one-off semi-final.
Chelsea vs Leeds United Starting XI
- Chelsea’s potential starting lineup: Sanchez; Acheampong, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Pedro, Neto; Delap
- Leeds United potential starting lineup: Perri; Struijk, Bijol, Rodon; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin
What Is at Stake?
For Chelsea, this is a chance to continue a familiar FA Cup story. They have reached the semi-finals in seven of the previous 10 seasons, and The FA’s statistics page says they have won 10 of their last 12 FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, old and new. That record alone makes them one of the competition’s most experienced sides at this stage.
For Leeds, the stakes are even bigger. Their official materials make clear just how long it has been since they last reached this point. A place in the final would be a major moment for the club and a huge milestone for a side that has been chasing a return to the tournament’s biggest stage for generations.
Prediction
This feels like a classic Wembley semi-final: Chelsea have the stronger FA Cup record and the better head-to-head history, but Leeds have momentum, belief, and nothing to lose. Chelsea’s goalscoring form gives them the edge, though Leeds are more than capable of making this uncomfortable.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Leeds United.
How to Watch Chelsea vs Leeds United
In the UK, Chelsea vs Leeds United will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max. The FA also confirmed the same 3:00 pm BST kick-off on Sunday, 26 April 2026.
| Region | TV Channel | Live Stream / Radio |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate | discovery+ (app/web), BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT |
| United States | ESPN2 | ESPN+, Fubo |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| Canada | Sportsnet World | Sportsnet+ |
| New Zealand | tvWAN Sports |
When is Chelsea vs Leeds United?
Sunday, 26 April 2026, at 3:00 pm BST.
Where is the match being played?
Wembley Stadium, London.
Who has the better FA Cup record in this matchup?
Chelsea do. They have won all six previous FA Cup ties against Leeds.
What is Leeds United’s recent FA Cup highlight?
A penalty shootout win over West Ham United in the quarter-finals.