Emirates FA Cup final: How to watch Manchester City v Chelsea on TNT Sports and HBO Max, kick-off times and streaming details

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The 2025/26 Emirates FA Cup will go down as one of the most dramatic in the competition’s illustrious 155-year history - and concludes with Manchester City facing Chelsea in the final at Wembley.

TNT Sports experts' earliest memories that made them 'fall in love' with FA Cup final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Fans of the beautiful game were treated to some thrilling matches and dramatic upsets during the early rounds, but that was just the start.

Non-league Macclesfield eliminated holders Crystal Palace in the third round, perhaps the biggest upset the competition has ever seen.

This year’s tournament also saw Premier League title favourites Arsenal get knocked out by Championship side Southampton, and Saints also gave Manchester City a run for their money in the semi-finals.

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Pep Guardiola’s side needed late goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez to ensure they returned to Wembley this term, beating their Championship opponents 2-1 despite falling behind to a stunning Finn Azaz strike.

In the other semi-final, Chelsea defeated bitter rivals Leeds 1-0 thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s header.

The match-up in the final means either City or Chelsea will snap an unwanted FA Cup streak. Man City, who are bidding to win the trophy for an eighth time, have lost in the FA Cup final for the past two seasons.

The only other side to lose three FA Cup finals in a row is eight-time winners Chelsea, who were beaten in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 title matches.

It is sure to be a pulsating final between two of English football’s biggest sides and viewers can immerse themselves in the FA Cup fever from as early as 9am.

TNT Sports will provide all-day coverage to celebrate the occasion, and here is how you can catch all the action.

TNT Sports experts relive their favourite memories from FA Cup finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

When is Manchester City v Chelsea?

The Emirates FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea will kick off at 15:00 UK time on Saturday, May 16 at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch Manchester City v Chelsea?

The match will be live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Kick off is at 15:00 but pre-match coverage will get underway on TNT Sports and HBO Max at 09:00 UK time with a special Breakfast Show, which can also be broadcast live on talkSPORT for the first hour.

From 11:00 to 13:00, TNT Sports will then start building towards kick-off with appearances from legends and fans of the two clubs, before Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole dive into the tactical match-up.

Then, from 13:00 on TNT Sports 1, the match build-up begins with host Laura Woods joined by the likes of Gerrard, Cole and Joe Hart.

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Viewers in the UK and Ireland have a range of entry points to HBO Max spanning four monthly entertainment plans, providing accessible and flexible options to suit all preferences. In the UK only, TNT Sports is also available as a standalone plan or can be purchased alongside select HBO Max entertainment plans.

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All the best HBO Max shows and movies, including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.

Standard: Stream on 2 devices in Full HD, with 30 downloads (limits apply)

All the best HBO Max shows and movies on an ad free basis, including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.

Premium: Stream on 4 devices in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos (where available) and 100 downloads (limits apply)

The ultimate HBO Max experience with all the best HBO Max shows and movies on an ad-free basis, including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.

TNT Sports Plan: Including TNT Sports 1-4, TNT Sports Ultimate, live event feeds and TNT Sports Original Documentaries (limited to two of your available streams, contains ads)

Can be purchased within the UK as a standalone plan or in addition to select entertainment plans.

*Channels, live events, replays and sports (where included in your plan) contain ads. All plans may contain sponsorship and cross-promotional content.

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HBO Max is available direct from hbomax.com - for more details, head there now.

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