The 2022-23 FA Cup final is a Manchester derby in London. Manchester United has another shot at silverware, whereas Manchester City hopes to keep their chances of a hat-trick of trophies alive. Who will win the first-ever Manchester Derby FA final? If you’ll not be at Wembley Stadium, read on to learn how to watch the FA Cup final livestream for free.
Key Takeaways: Stream the FA Cup Final Live
- Most of the available FA Cup final streaming services are paid. Thankfully, you can livestream the FA Cup final for free on BBC iPlayer.
- Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is exclusively available to U.K. residents. You’ll need the best VPN for streaming to access the streaming service outside the U.K.
- ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming the FA Cup final, but it’s pricey compared to other services. NordVPN is a cheaper ExpressVPN alternative, whereas Proton VPN works for U.S. residents moving abroad.
While bookmakers tip City to run away with the FA trophy, it won’t be easy. Guardiola’s team has the upper hand, winning three of the last five games against their city rivals. However, Manchester United’s derby win in January will give them the much needed motivation to clinch the second trophy.
It will be a sizzling final, and you can’t afford to miss the action. Football fans in the U.K. can livestream the game for free on BBC iPlayer. If you’re outside the U.K., you’ll need a VPN to access BBC iPlayer (see our best VPN list for recommendations). Keep reading to learn how to access BBC iPlayer outside the U.K.
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Yes, you can watch the FA Cup final for free on BBC iPlayer. You’ll need a VPN to access the streaming services outside the U.K.
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If you’re in the U.K., you can watch the FA Cup final live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, ITV, and ITVX. Soccer fans in the USA can watch the game on ESPN+.
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FA Cup Final Livestream Time & Date
The finals of the Football Association Challenge Cup (commonly known as the FA Cup) will kick off at 3 p.m. (U.K. time) on June 3.
This year’s FA Cup final was moved to June 3 from mid-May. The FIFA World Cup in Qatar forced the top European leagues to push back club football, including domestic competitions. As a result, the FA pushed back the Premier League and the FA Cup games too.
However, the FA has moved the kick-off time back to the traditional 3 p.m. (U.K. time) for the first time since 2011. This game features two of Manchester’s fiercest rivals, a factor that led police to declare it a high-risk fixture. Consequently, the authorities recommended an early kick-off.
FA Cup Final Livestream: The Competitors
For the 15th year in a row, the FA Cup final is between two Premier League teams. This year’s final has an “X factor” in that it’s a Manchester derby. The two Premier League outfits are meeting in the FA Cup final for the first time at the Wembley Stadium.
Manchester City blitzed its way into the final with exceptional performances. The Pep-led team became the first outfit in 57 years to reach the FA Cup final without conceding a goal. In the FA Cup semi-finals, Manchester City tore apart Sheffield United to win the game 3-0.
On the other hand, Manchester United claimed a hard-fought victory in the FA Cup semi-finals. After bowing out of the UEFA Europa League in the hands of Sevilla, the “Red Devils” were held to a goalless draw by Brighton Hove Albion in the FA Cup semi-finals. The team barely survived an onslaught from Brighton Hove Albion to win the game 7-6 in the penalty shoot-out.
Manchester United is zeroing in on the second trophy this season after winning the League Cup against Newcastle in February. Manchester City are eying their second silverware, too. The team has secured the Premier League trophy and qualified for the UEFA Champions League final.
Which Streaming Services Will Broadcast the FA Cup Final?
For fans in the U.K., BBC and ITV are the official broadcasters of the FA Cup competition, from the first round to the final. You can watch the highly anticipated derby final on BBC One, ITV, ITVX, BBC iPlayer, UTV and STV.
Soccer fans in the United States can catch the action on ESPN. The channel has the rights to broadcast the FA Cup games in the U.S. ESPN costs $9.99 per month, but if you have a Hulu Live TV or Disney+ subscription, you’ll watch the action live. Other options in the U.S. include fuboTV and Sling TV, which carry ESPN.
| Country | Streaming Service |
|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Sportsnet |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | DAZN |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | DAZN |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | DAZN |
| 🇮🇳 India | Astro Super Sport |
| 🇫🇷 France | beIN Sports |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | DAZN |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | DAZN |
| Africa | Supersport |
How to Livestream the FA Cup Final for Free
If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to buy an expensive subscription, you can livestream the final for free on BBC iPlayer. However, BBC iPlayer is exclusively available to U.K. residents. Thankfully, VPN technology enables you to be virtually in the U.K. and access iPlayer from anywhere.
BBC iPlayer checks users’ IP addresses to determine whether they’re in the U.K. For example, if you’re in the U.S., BBC iPlayer will look up your IP address and instantly block your access.
A VPN assigns you a unique IP address depending on your selected server. For example, if you’re in the U.S., you can connect to a server in the U.K. This way, the VPN will assign you a U.K. IP address to make iPlayer think you’re actually in the U.K.
How to Watch the FA Cup Final With a VPN
If you’re wondering how to circumvent BBC player geo-blocks, keep reading for our step-by-step guide. For these steps, we’ll use ExpressVPN — the best VPN for BBC iPlayer — to watch the FA Cup final on iPlayer. If you don’t have a BBC iPlayer account, we’ll also show you how to create one outside the U.K.
- Download and Install a VPN App
Subscribe to ExpressVPN or a VPN with servers in the U.K. — read our guide on how to get a U.K. IP address for VPN suggestions. Download the VPN app on your Windows, Mac, Linux or smart TV device. Alternatively, install the Android or iOS from Google Play or Apple’s app store.
- Sign In and Complete the Setup
Launch the VPN app and complete the setup. Connect to a U.K. server or another country where FA Cup final livestreams are available. Do a DNS leak test to confirm you have the appropriate IP address.
- Create a BBC iPlayer Account
If you already have a BBC iPlayer account, skip to step #5. Alternatively, head to the BBC iPlayer website, click “register,” and select “16 or over.”
- Enter Personal Information
Besides the email and password, BBC iPlayer requires a U.K. postal code. Look up valid postal codes online. Click “register” and verify your email to finish the account setup.
- Livestream FA Cup Final Live
Log in to your BBC iPlayer account and watch the FA Cup final without interruption. If you’re logging in for the first time, you will see a “got a TV license?” pop-up. Click “I have a TV license. Watch now.”
The Best VPNs for Watching the FA Cup Final Livestream
A VPN is handy for circumventing streaming geo-restrictions. It’s the tool to access FA Cup final streaming services outside your country. In this section, we’ll explain why ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming the FA Cup final and discuss two alternatives.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN enables you to watch English football games, League Cup and FA Cup matches from the first round to the finals without interruptions.
Pros:
- Excellent unblocking ability
- Blazing-fast downloads
- 30-day money-back return
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming the FA Cup final, thanks to its unmatched unblocking ability and fast speeds. During our testing, the VPN accessed BBC iPlayer on the first attempt. The performance is the same across other streaming services, as you can read in our detailed ExpressVPN review.
Moreover, ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, making it the best bet for accessing local FA Cup streaming services. Regardless of the server you choose, it delivers fast download speeds, thanks to the proprietary Lightway protocol. As a result, videos load like local sessions while taking lags and buffering out of the equation.
You also get unlimited data and bandwidth, meaning that even if the FA Cup final goes into overtime or penalty shootouts, you won’t lose access. Compared to other VPNs, ExpressVPN is pricey. However, considering its performance and features, it offers good value for money. You can try ExpressVPN for free by using the 30-day money-back guarantee with the monthly plan.
ExpressVPN Plans
2. NordVPN
With NordVPN, the FA Cup livestreams are lag- and buffering-free thanks to its fast download speeds.
Pros:
- Excellent streaming speed
- Great unblocking ability
- 30-day money-back return
NordVPN is also a great VPN for live streaming the FA Cup final. It’s the fastest VPN (slightly faster than ExpressVPN), thanks to the NordLynx protocol. As a result, the VPN service delivers interruption-free streaming, whether you’re connecting to a nearby server or one several continents away. Read our NordVPN review to learn more.
During our testing, NordVPN unblocked BBC iPlayer and other FA Cup streaming services on the first attempt. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN offers unlimited data and bandwidth on all plans.
NordVPN has a leg up on our top pick in terms of pricing, as its extended plans offer significant discounts. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that users can take advantage of with the monthly plan to try NordVPN for free.
3. Proton VPN
The Proton VPN free plan doesn’t offer a free server in the U.K., so it can’t unblock BBC iPlayer.
Pros:
- Excellent security & privacy
- Unlimited data on free plan
- Free servers in U.S., Japan & Netherlands
Proton VPN is the best free VPN and a great option to access streaming services in the USA. It doesn’t offer a free server in the U.K., so you can’t use it to stream the FA Cup final on BBC iPlayer. However, if you have a subscription to a U.S. streaming service, you can use the free VPN service to watch the game from the U.S.
In terms of unblocking ability, Proton VPN isn’t as capable as ExpressVPN, but it will get you into FA Cup streaming services. In addition, it has fast speeds, but the free servers can be slow during peak hours.
Proton VPN is one of the few free VPNs to offer unlimited data on the free plan. With unlimited data, you don’t have to worry about losing connection during half-time or extra-time of the FA Cup final. However, if you want to access the U.K. servers, the Proton VPN paid plans are still reasonable. Learn more in our comprehensive Proton VPN review.
Final Thoughts: Watch the FA Cup Final
Erik Ten Hag has vowed to do everything to ruin Manchester City’s chances of winning a treble this season. However, that is easier said than done. Manchester City is in scintillating form, and it will take an extraordinary performance to stop them from clinching the FA Cup. Get your BBC iPlayer account and VPN to watch the game live for free.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, thanks to its unparalleled unblocking ability and excellent speeds. However, if the price is off-putting, NordVPN offers cheaper pricing plans — it’s the best ExpressVPN alternative. Proton VPN is the best bet for U.S. fans who plan to watch the final match with a U.S. streaming service while traveling.
Have you used a VPN to watch the FA Cup, Premier League or other English football games? Which VPN did you use? What’s your go-to streaming service for the FA Cup matches? We’d like to hear about it in the comment section. As always, thank you for reading.
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