Introduction:

The English Football Association Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is the oldest football tournament in the world. The tournament was founded in 1871 and is open to all clubs in the top 10 levels of the English football league system. It is a knockout competition played between the months of August and May.

2021 FA Cup Schedule:

The 2021 FA Cup began on August 31, 2020, with the extra preliminary round. This round involved clubs from levels nine and ten of the English football pyramid. The preliminary round followed on September 12-13, involving winners from the extra preliminary round and clubs from levels seven and eight.

The first round proper began on November 6-9, with the participation of clubs from League One and League Two, the third and fourth tiers of the English football pyramid. The second round took place on November 27-30, featuring winners from the first round and clubs from the Championship, the second tier of the pyramid.

The third round, perhaps the most anticipated one, will take place on January 8-11, with the inclusion of all Premier League clubs, the highest level of English football. This round also traditionally marks the entrance of the top teams into the competition. Fourth and fifth rounds will follow in January and February respectively, before the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final in April and May.

FA Cup Broadcasting Rights:

The FA Cup is one of the most-watched club competitions in the world, with millions of viewers tuning in every year. In the UK, the FA Cup is broadcast by the BBC and BT Sport. The BBC airs a selection of games from each round, including the final, while BT Sport has the rights to air all the games from the first round to the final.

In other parts of the world, different broadcasters have the rights to air the FA Cup games. For example, in the United States, ESPN has the rights to broadcast the FA Cup, while countries in Asia have different partners, including Fox Sports, BeIN Sports, and others.

Where to Watch FA Cup Live:

As mentioned, the FA Cup is broadcast on various channels depending on the country. In the UK, viewers can watch the games on BBC or BT Sport, both of which require subscription. Outside the UK, streaming services such as ESPN+ in the United States and DAZN in Canada have the rights to stream the games live.

In addition to these official broadcasters, several unofficial streaming sites and apps claim to offer free live streams of the FA Cup games. However, these sites operate illegally and pose a risk to users from malware and scams. To watch the FA Cup safely and legally, it is recommended to use official broadcasters or subscription-based streaming services.

Conclusion:

The FA Cup is one of the most exciting and anticipated competitions in English football, with millions of viewers tuning in every year to watch the games live. With its long history and tradition, the FA Cup is a beloved and prestigious tournament that offers opportunities for lower-tier clubs to compete against the best in the country. For fans looking to catch the games live, official broadcasters such as BBC and BT Sport, or subscription-based streaming services such as ESPN+ and DAZN, are the recommended options.