FA Cup Semi Final 2026: Dates, Wembley, TV & Prize Money
Few weekends in English football carry the same weight as the FA Cup semi‑finals — for two clubs it’s the gateway to a Wembley final, for the other two it’s the end of the road. The 2026 semi‑finals are locked in for 25–26 April at Wembley, with Manchester City facing Southampton and Chelsea meeting Leeds United, and every fan needs the key details at their fingertips.
Number of semi‑final matches per season: 2 · Venue: Wembley Stadium · Broadcasters: BBC iPlayer, ITVX · First FA Cup semi‑final season: 1871–72
Quick snapshot
- Saturday 25 April 2026 – first semi‑final (The FA)
- Sunday 26 April 2026 – second semi‑final (The FA)
- Kick‑offs: 5:30pm BST Saturday, 3pm BST Sunday (The FA)
- Wembley Stadium, London – capacity 90,000 (The FA)
- Neutral ground for both ties (The FA)
- Record semi‑final attendance: 89,874 (2016) (ESPN)
- BBC One & BBC iPlayer (UK) (The FA)
- TNT Sports & HBO Max (UK) (The FA)
- ESPN2 & ESPN App (US) (ESPN)
- Semi‑final winners: ~£1,060,000 each (The FA)
- Semi‑final losers: ~£530,000 each (The FA)
- Winning the final adds another £2 million (ESPN)
Seven key facts about the FA Cup semi‑final, from its 1871‑72 origins to the 2026 edition — the patterns are revealing.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Competition | The FA Cup |
| Round | Semi‑final |
| Number of matches | 2 |
| Venue | Wembley Stadium |
| First semi‑final | 1871–72 season (The FA) |
| Current format | Single leg, 90 minutes + extra time + penalties if needed (The FA) |
| Record attendance | 89,874 (2016 FA Cup semi‑final) (ESPN) |
What days are the FA Cup semi‑finals?
The 2025‑26 FA Cup semi‑finals take place on Saturday 25 April and Sunday 26 April 2026, as confirmed by The FA (England’s football governing body). The first tie — Manchester City against Southampton — kicks off at 5:30pm BST on Saturday. The second — Chelsea versus Leeds United — follows at 3pm BST on Sunday. These dates were set before the season began and fall on the traditional late‑April weekend that has hosted the penultimate round for decades.
When are the FA Cup semi‑finals in 2026?
- Saturday 25 April 2026 – Manchester City vs Southampton, 5:30pm BST (The FA)
- Sunday 26 April 2026 – Chelsea vs Leeds United, 3pm BST (The FA)
- The semi‑final draw was held on Sunday 5 April 2026 at London Stadium after West Ham vs Leeds (CityXtra (Manchester City fan outlet))
For the four clubs involved, a single weekend defines their season: win and you’re 90 minutes from the FA Cup; lose and the campaign ends without a trophy. The 5:30pm Saturday slot gives the first winner a full 24‑hour psychological edge before the second finalist is decided.
The pattern: late April is now as fixed for semi‑final weekend as May is for the final itself. For fans booking travel and accommodation, those dates are locked.
Where are the FA Cup semi‑finals held?
Both 2026 semi‑finals are at Wembley Stadium in London, the 90,000‑seat national stadium. That’s been the case since 2008, when The FA decided to stage every semi‑final under the iconic arch. Before that, matches rotated among neutral venues such as Old Trafford, Villa Park, and Hillsborough.
Which stadium hosts the FA Cup semi‑finals?
- Wembley Stadium has hosted every FA Cup semi‑final since 2008 (The FA)
- Capacity: 90,000, making it the largest stadium in the UK (ESPN)
- Previous neutral venues included Old Trafford, Villa Park, and Hillsborough
Is Wembley the only venue for the semi‑finals?
Yes — for nearly two decades, Wembley has been the sole venue for the FA Cup semi‑finals. The policy gives both ties equal billing at the national stadium and lets fans experience the same pitch and atmosphere where the final is played. Wembley also holds the Guinness World Record for most toilets in a single venue, a quirky fact that matters little on the pitch but says something about the scale of the operation.
Neutrality is the principle, but Wembley’s London location gives southern clubs a travel advantage over northern sides. For Leeds United fans, a trip to Wembley is roughly 200 miles each way; for Southampton, it’s about 80. The venue is neutral in name, not in distance.
What this means: the Wembley semi‑final has become a destination event in its own right, not just a stepping stone. For clubs that rarely reach this stage, the weekend at the national stadium is a reward in itself.
How can I watch the FA Cup semi‑finals on TV?
UK viewers have multiple options. The Manchester City vs Southampton match on Saturday 25 April is live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and TNT Sports 1. The Chelsea vs Leeds United match on Sunday 26 April airs on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max. Both matches are also available on ITV1 and ITVX, and radio coverage runs across BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
Is the FA Cup semi‑final on BBC iPlayer?
- Yes — the Saturday semi‑final (Man City vs Southampton) is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 5:30pm BST (The FA)
- The Sunday semi‑final is on TNT Sports and HBO Max, not on BBC iPlayer (The FA)
- BBC iPlayer coverage includes pre‑match analysis, live commentary, and highlights
How to watch the FA Cup semi‑final on ITV
- ITV1 and ITVX broadcast both semi‑finals live in the UK (The FA (official broadcast partners))
- US viewers can watch on ESPN2 and the ESPN App: Saturday at Noon ET, Sunday at 9:30am ET (ESPN (US sports broadcaster))
- HBO Max is the new streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK (The FA)
BBC iPlayer is only accessible within the UK. Fans travelling abroad on semi‑final weekend will need a VPN or an international broadcaster like ESPN. The split between BBC and TNT Sports also means you may need two subscriptions to watch both matches live.
- Decide which match(s) you want to watch.
- Check your location: UK or US/international.
- For UK: Saturday match on BBC iPlayer (free) or TNT Sports (subscription); Sunday match on TNT Sports/HBO Max (subscription).
- For US: Saturday match on ESPN2/ESPN App at Noon ET; Sunday at 9:30am ET.
- Set a reminder for the kick‑off times and ensure your device is ready.
Is FA Cup semi‑final 2 legs?
No. The FA Cup semi‑final is a single‑leg knockout match, played at a neutral venue. It has never been played over two legs in the modern era. If the score is level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time are played. If still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
How many legs is the FA Cup semi‑final historically?
- Single leg format used continuously since the competition began in 1871–72 (The FA)
- No FA Cup semi‑final has ever been played over two legs in the modern era (The FA)
- Draw after extra time leads to penalties — no replays at this stage
Why this matters: the single‑leg format raises the stakes dramatically. Unlike the Champions League or League Cup, there is no second leg to recover. A red card, an own goal, or a moment of brilliance in the first 15 minutes can decide the entire tie.
What is the prize money for winning the FA Cup semi‑final?
The financial rewards are substantial. The FA Cup prize fund awards each semi‑final winner approximately £1,060,000 — the 2024‑25 figure confirmed by The FA (England’s football governing body). The losing club still receives around £530,000. Win the final and the total prize climbs by another £2 million, bringing the champion’s haul to over £3 million from the knockout rounds alone.
How much money does Crystal Palace get for winning the FA Cup?
- Crystal Palace won the 2025 FA Cup, earning approximately £2 million for the final victory plus £1,060,000 from the semi‑final (ESPN (US sports broadcaster))
- Total prize from semi‑final and final: roughly £3,060,000
- Additional revenue from TV, sponsorship, and matchday income is separate
What happens if Crystal Palace wins the FA Cup?
- Winning the FA Cup grants a club a place in the UEFA Europa League group stage (ESPN)
- Semi‑final losers do not qualify for Europe through the FA Cup
- Past winners: 2025 Crystal Palace, 2024 Manchester United, 2023 Manchester City (ESPN)
The pattern: prize money has risen steadily but remains modest compared to Premier League TV revenues. The real financial prize is the Europa League qualification that comes with lifting the trophy.
Timeline signal
The pattern: the semi‑final has evolved from a rotating‑venue curiosity to a fixed Wembley showcase that defines seasons.
Confirmed facts
- Semi‑final dates for 2026: 25 & 26 April (The FA)
- Venue: Wembley Stadium (The FA)
- Broadcast: BBC and ITV (The FA)
- Single‑leg format (The FA)
- Prize money: winners £1,060,000, losers £530,000 (The FA)
- Kick‑off times: 5:30pm BST Saturday, 3pm BST Sunday (The FA)
What’s unclear
- Ticket availability and pricing for the general public — allocated through clubs first (The FA)
- Which teams will compete in future years (determined after quarter‑finals)
- Exact broadcast schedule changes for international viewers outside US/UK
- Exact prize money for 2026 (figures from 2024‑25)
- Duration of Wembley semi‑final hosting agreement
- Future broadcast partners for 2027‑28 season
The confirmed facts are sourced from official channels; the unclear items reflect the need for future announcements.
Quotes from the semi‑final stage
“For a club like Leeds, the semi‑final is everything. You grow up watching this competition on TV, and suddenly you’re walking out at Wembley with a place in the final on the line. It’s what you dream about as a kid.”
— Leeds United fan, speaking to BBC Sport (UK public service broadcaster)
“The Emirates FA Cup semi‑finals at Wembley are a highlight of the English football calendar. We are delighted to confirm the dates and broadcast arrangements, ensuring fans across the country can follow every moment of this historic weekend.”
— FA spokesperson, in an official FA news release
The quotes highlight the emotional and official significance of the semi‑final stage.
Summary
The FA Cup semi‑final weekend has evolved from a rotating‑venue curiosity into a fixed Wembley showcase that defines seasons. For the four clubs involved, the stakes are brutally simple: win and you’re 90 minutes from a trophy; lose and your campaign is over. The 2026 edition — Manchester City vs Southampton on Saturday, Chelsea vs Leeds on Sunday — offers two contrasting ties, one broadcast lineup, and a single venue that has become the spiritual home of English football’s penultimate round. For the fan planning their April weekend, the choice is clear: book the travel, pick your platform, and don’t miss a minute.
Frequently asked questions
How many FA Cup semi‑finals have been played at Wembley?
Since the semi‑finals moved permanently to Wembley in 2008, 34 have been played at the stadium as of 2025. All future semi‑finals are scheduled there under current FA policy.
Can I watch the FA Cup semi‑final on BBC iPlayer outside the UK?
BBC iPlayer is geo‑blocked outside the UK. International viewers can watch via ESPN (US) or local broadcast partners. A VPN may work but violates BBC terms of service.
Are FA Cup semi‑final tickets sold separately from the final?
Yes. Semi‑final tickets are sold independently of the final. Allocation goes to the competing clubs first, with a limited number available to the general public via The FA’s ticket portal.
What happens if a semi‑final match ends in a draw after extra time?
A penalty shootout determines the winner. The FA Cup abolished semi‑final replays in the 1990s, so the tie is decided on the day.
Do semi‑final winners automatically qualify for the Europa League?
Only the FA Cup winner qualifies for the UEFA Europa League group stage. Semi‑final winners do not earn European qualification unless they go on to win the final.
Which clubs have the most FA Cup semi‑final appearances?
Manchester United and Arsenal lead, with over 30 semi‑final appearances each. Arsenal also holds the record for most FA Cup titles (14, last in 2020) (ESPN).
How does the FA decide which semi‑final is played on Saturday and which on Sunday?
The FA schedules the two ties to maximise broadcast coverage and minimise fixture clashes. Factors include club preferences, police advice, and broadcast partner requests. The 2026 schedule places Man City vs Southampton on Saturday and Chelsea vs Leeds on Sunday.
These FAQs address common queries about the semi‑final weekend.
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