FA Cup Action: How to Tune In This Weekend on BBC

The FA Cup is back, and the excitement is palpable! Starting this Friday, the first round proper will feature 40 matches, showcasing teams from various tiers of English football. The weekend will kick off with two games on Friday, followed by an action-packed Saturday with 33 fixtures, four on Sunday, and wrapping up with one match on Monday. Premier League and Championship clubs will make their entrance a bit later, with the third round set for January 9, 2027. Fans can catch live action on the BBC, which will broadcast two key matches from the first round. On Saturday, National League’s Altrincham will face League One side Notts County. Altrincham, known for their giant-killing feats, will be looking to add to their impressive tally of 17 victories over league teams. Notts County, the oldest professional league team in the world, have a rich history including an FA Cup win back in 1894. On Sunday, Cray Wanderers, touted as London’s oldest football club, will take on Stockport County, a team currently flying high in League One. This marks a historic moment for Cray, as it’s their first appearance in the first round of the FA Cup. Here’s the schedule for the matches to catch on BBC: - Altrincham vs. Notts County: Coverage starts at 17:15, kick-off at 17:30 on Saturday, November 7. - Cray Wanderers vs. Stockport County: Coverage from 14:00, kick-off at 14:15 on Sunday, November 8. To wrap up the weekend’s excitement, a highlights show hosted by Jason Mohammad will air on Sunday at 17:10 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. This will include a recap of Leicester’s visit to sixth-tier Oxford City, the 2021 FA Cup winners. Additionally, live text commentary will keep fans updated on all matches throughout the weekend, with highlights available on the BBC Sport website and social media. A total of eight ties will be broadcast live, while TNT Sports will cover six others. BBC local radio stations will provide commentary on selected matches, accessible via BBC Sounds. Five games will also feature on BBC 5 Sports Extra channels, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action. The excitement starts this Friday, so grab your snacks and settle in for a weekend of thrilling FA Cup football!