BBC Sport to provide FA Cup coverage from first to last kick as preliminary rounds streamed online
The FA Cup is set to return to BBC screens and for the very first time, fans will be able to watch the qualifying rounds live via BBC Sport's digital service starting in the extra preliminary round.
Published: 3 August 2017
We are delighted that audiences will be able to share in the passion of the FA Cup from the opening stage of the competition for the very first time. To highlight the tournament from first kick to last will showcase the desire for success in the famous Cup throughout the football pyramid.
A game from every stage of the 2017/18 tournament will be live-streamed across BBC Sport’s digital platforms, allowing audiences to watch the game live on PC, mobile or connected TV.
Matches will also be available live and on-demand on BBC iPlayer, and on social media fans can interact with the commentary team during the game using #BBCFACup.
The first preliminary round match to be shown will be local Merseyside derby, Litherland REMYCA FC and Liverpool AFC, which kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday 5 August.
This will be followed by matches from a further five qualifying rounds, taking place every fortnight until Saturday 14 October.
The 2016/17 FA Cup tournament reached 26 million BBC viewers, with 10 million tuning in for the final.
Steve Rudge, BBC Sport’s Lead Executive of Football, says: “We are delighted that audiences will be able to share in the passion of the FA Cup from the opening stage of the competition for the very first time. To highlight the tournament from first kick to last will showcase the desire for success in the famous Cup throughout the football pyramid.”
David Newton, The FA's Head of Competitions, says: “The Emirates FA Cup is the world's most loved domestic cup competition, and it kicks off this weekend with 185 fixtures being played up and down the country. We're delighted that the BBC is widening the competition's reach by allowing fans the opportunity to follow the drama live, right from the very start on Saturday through to the showpiece final at Wembley Stadium next May.”
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