The Chelsea vs Manchester City clash promises to be one of the biggest events of the 2026 Soccer season, as the two Premier League giants face off in the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
Manchester City have dominated the men’s fixtures this season, while the women’s teams have shared an intense rivalry across multiple tournaments.
The 2026 FA Cup final is set for Saturday, 16 May at 3:00 pm, taking place at Wembley Stadium and broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, BBC One, and iPlayer.
Chelsea have received a major boost with Reece James and Levi Colwill expected to be available, while Manchester City are sweating on the fitness of midfield anchor Rodri.
Who Will Win the 2026 FA Cup Match: The Road to Wembley Stadium
| Match | Chelsea vs Manchester City |
|---|---|
| Competition | Emirates FA Cup Final 2026 |
| Date | Saturday, 16 May 2026 |
| Kick-off | 15:00 UK time |
| Venue | Wembley Stadium, London |
Where to Watch Chelsea vs Manchester City FA Cup Match in the UK
In the United Kingdom, the 2026 FA Cup Final will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, BBC One, and iPlayer. That makes it one of the most widely available FA Cup finals in recent years, with both pay-TV and free-to-air options included.
HBO Max is now the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK, which matters for fans who prefer watching online rather than through a traditional TV package.
For UK viewers, that means there are several easy options: Watch on TNT Sports if you already subscribe, stream via HBO Max, or use BBC One and iPlayer if you prefer a free-to-air route. Chelsea’s official match page also points fans to the club’s match centre, live text updates, and audio commentary around the final.
Where to Watch in the USA
For fans in the United States, the FA’s official global broadcast guide lists ESPN as the broadcaster for the 2026 FA Cup Final. That gives U.S. viewers a clear destination for live coverage of Chelsea vs Manchester City.
If you’re in the U.S., the best approach is to check ESPN’s schedule and your local provider’s listings closer to kick-off, as live sports can sometimes be moved between channels or streaming platforms.
The FA’s broadcast guide serves as the definitive source for country-specific broadcast rights and confirms that ESPN is the channel for the United States.
Where to Watch in Canada
In Canada, the FA’s broadcast guide lists Sportsnet as the official broadcaster for the FA Cup Final. That means Canadian viewers should look to Sportsnet’s TV channels or streaming options for live coverage of Chelsea vs Manchester City.
Where to Watch in India
The FA’s global broadcast guide lists the Indian Subcontinent under Sony, with coverage on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), and Sony Sports Ten 4 SD for Tamil, Telugu and Kannada feeds. For Indian fans, that makes Sony the main destination for the final.
That is a big plus for viewers who want commentary in different languages, since the FA’s rights list shows multiple channel options for the subcontinent.
Where to Watch in Australia
For Australia, the FA’s broadcast partner list shows Stan as the platform carrying the FA Cup Final. That means Australian fans should be able to stream Chelsea vs Manchester City through Stan’s sports coverage.
Where to Watch in South America and Other Regions
The FA’s international guide shows ESPN and Disney+ for South America, while beIN Sports appears in several other territories, including the MENA region and New Zealand. The list is long, which is exactly why the FA recommends using its country-by-country broadcast guide for the final answer in your region.
Other notable countries and platforms listed by the FA include France (beIN), Spain (Movistar+), Italy (DAZN), South Korea (Coupang), Mexico and parts of Central America (Fox or TNT/HBO Max depending on country), and Africa via broadcasters such as SuperSport and GOtv.
Chelsea’s Own Matchday Coverage
The final through the club’s own Match Centre, with live text updates, team news, stats and imagery. The club also says live audio commentary will be available from five minutes before kick-off on the Chelsea Official App and website.
That is useful even if you are already watching the live broadcast, because club match centres often provide lineups, in-game updates and quick post-match reaction in one place.
Chelsea also confirms that the full match and highlights will be available back on the official app and website from the following day.
Team News – Players’ availability and Injury report
Chelsea Team News
Interim manager Calum McFarlane is “very hopeful” of a double injury boost for his attack, though the Blues remain without several key young stars.
- Returning / Available:
- Reece James (RB): The captain has trained for a full week and is expected to start.
- Levi Colwill (CB): Played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool last Saturday and was described as “exceptional” by McFarlane; he is a strong contender to start.
- Out / Unavailable:
- Estêvão Willian: Ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury.
- Jamie Gittens: Sidelined due to an injury setback.
- Jesse Derry: Out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a knock.
- Mykhaylo Mudryk: Remains unavailable due to a long-term suspension.
Manchester City Team News
Pep Guardiola’s team is mostly fit and ready, but there are still some worries about their key midfielder ahead of the big clash at Wembley.
- Doubts:
- Rodri (CDM): Has missed the last four games with a groin injury. He has returned to training and Guardiola said he is “better,” but his readiness for the final remains the primary concern.
- Abdukodir Khusanov (DEF): Missed the recent win over Brentford with a knock but is also back in training and improving.
- Available:
- Ruben Dias & Josko Gvardiol: Both defenders have returned to training and are available for selection.
Why This FA Cup Final Is Important
This is a huge occasion for both clubs. Chelsea’s official coverage notes that this is their 17th FA Cup final, while Manchester City are again in a major Wembley showpiece after another strong cup run. The final pairing, and both clubs have already published their match information for supporters.
For Chelsea, the final is a chance to add another trophy and cap the season with silverware. For Manchester City, it is another opportunity to underline their domestic dominance and add yet another major prize under Pep Guardiola.
Best Way to Watch Chelsea vs Manchester City
If you are in the UK, your best options are TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, BBC One, and iPlayer. If you are in the USA, look for ESPN. In Canada, go to Sportsnet.
In Australia, use Stan. For every other region, the FA’s global broadcast list is the safest reference, and local listings should always be checked before kick-off.
What time does Chelsea vs Manchester City kick off?
The FA lists the final for 15:00 UK time on Saturday 16 May 2026.
Where is the FA Cup Final being played?
It will be played at Wembley Stadium, London.
Is Chelsea vs Manchester City on free-to-air TV in the UK?
Yes. The FA lists BBC One and iPlayer alongside TNT Sports and HBO Max for the UK.
Can I follow the match through Chelsea’s official channels?
Yes. Chelsea says the match centre, live text updates and live audio commentary will be available on the club’s app and website.