FA Cup Semi-Final 2026 – Complete Guide to Dates, Tickets & TV
The FA Cup semi-finals are the penultimate stage of English football’s oldest knockout competition. For the 2025-26 season, the two ties were scheduled for a single weekend at Wembley Stadium, with Manchester City facing Southampton and Chelsea taking on Leeds United. This guide covers everything from confirmed dates and ticketing to broadcast information and prize money.
Held at Wembley Stadium in London, the semi-finals represent the final hurdle before the showpiece final. The 2026 edition saw both matches played across the weekend of 25–26 April, continuing a tradition that has placed the semi-finals at the national stadium since 2008.
Below is a complete breakdown of the event, including key facts, ticketing procedures, and what supporters can expect from the weekend.
When and Where Are the 2026 FA Cup Semi-Finals?
The FA Cup semi-finals for the 2025-26 season took place on Saturday 25 April and Sunday 26 April 2026. Both matches were played at Wembley Stadium connected by EE in London.
Key Insights for the Weekend
- The FA Cup semi-finals are the penultimate stage of the oldest national football competition in the world.
- Since 2008, all semi-finals have been held at Wembley Stadium, a controversial but established tradition.
- The 2026 semi-finals marked the first time both ties were played across a single weekend at Wembley since the schedule normalization post-pandemic.
- Ticket demand typically exceeds supply, with many tickets allocated to competing clubs’ fan bases.
Quick-Reference Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stage | Semi-Final (Penultimate round) |
| Dates | 25-26 April 2026 |
| Venue | Wembley Stadium (both matches) |
| Sponsor | Emirates (Title sponsor) |
| 2025 Winner | Manchester City (as of input data) |
| Saturday Tie | Manchester City v Southampton |
| Sunday Tie | Chelsea v Leeds United |
| Prize (Winner) | £1,060,000 |
| Prize (Loser) | £530,000 |
How to Get FA Cup Semi-Final Tickets and Prices
Ticketing for the FA Cup semi-finals in 2026 was managed primarily through the participating clubs. The FA stated that ticketing information would be made available to supporters directly by the clubs. Wembley Stadium also confirmed that tickets for the Chelsea v Leeds United semi-final would be sold via the competing clubs.
Ticket Allocation and Pricing
Exact ticket prices were not publicly set until after the draw, as they depend on opponent category and seat location. Typically, tickets are allocated to the two competing clubs, with a limited number made available to the general public through the FA’s official channels. Demand often exceeds supply, especially for ties involving larger clubs.
The FA said ticketing information would be made available to supporters directly by the clubs. Wembley also stated that tickets for the Chelsea v Leeds United semi-final would be sold via the competing clubs. Fans are advised to register for club-specific ticket ballots if their team reaches the semi-finals.
Which TV Channel is Showing the FA Cup Semi-Finals?
Broadcast coverage for the 2026 FA Cup semi-finals was split across multiple platforms. The Saturday match between Manchester City and Southampton kicked off at 5:15 pm BST and was shown on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, BBC One, and iPlayer. The Sunday match between Chelsea and Leeds United started at 3:00 pm BST and was broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
Radio coverage was provided by BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT, and local BBC Radio outlets.
For the Saturday tie, viewers could watch on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1, or HBO Max. Sunday’s match was available only on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max. Radio listeners could tune into BBC Radio 5 Live or talkSPORT for live commentary.
FA Cup Semi-Final Results and Team Updates
Confirmed Fixtures
The two ties for the 2026 FA Cup semi-finals were confirmed as Manchester City versus Southampton on Saturday 25 April, and Chelsea versus Leeds United on Sunday 26 April. These matchups followed the quarter-final results earlier in the season.
Prize Money
Winning clubs received £1,060,000 from the competition prize fund, while losing clubs received £530,000.
The results and details provided here are for the men’s Emirates FA Cup. Information regarding the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals for 2026 was not included in the available sources. The FA manages women’s semi-finals separately, and their dates and venues are confirmed independently from the men’s competition.
Key Milestones: Timeline of the 2025-26 Semi-Final Phase
- – Quarter-Finals played; semi-final draw confirmed.
- – FA announces date, venue, and broadcast details.
- – Tickets go on sale to club members and general public.
- – Semi-Final 1: Manchester City v Southampton at Wembley.
- – Semi-Final 2: Chelsea v Leeds United at Wembley.
- – FA Cup Final at Wembley.
What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The 2025-26 FA Cup semi-finals take place on 25-26 April 2026. | Exact ticket prices depend on opponent category and seat location; not publicly set until after the draw. |
| Both matches are at Wembley Stadium. | Specific TV channel (BBC One vs ITV 1) for each match is confirmed closer to the date. |
| Matches will be broadcast on BBC Sport and ITV Sport (based on existing UK rights deal). | Women’s FA Cup semi-final dates and venues are managed separately by the FA and are not confirmed in the available data. |
| Tickets are sold via the FA and participating clubs. |
Why Are the Semi-Finals Played at Wembley?
The FA Cup semi-final is historically one of the most anticipated weekends in English football. Since 2008, the decision to hold all semi-finals at Wembley has been a point of debate, with purists arguing that neutral venues should rotate. However, the current arrangement allows fans to experience a ‘Wembley day out’ before the final. For 2026, both matches were played over the same weekend, maximizing the cup’s ‘magic’ and broadcast appeal.
Where Did This Information Come From?
The primary source for the 2026 FA Cup semi-final details was the official FA Cup semi-final details page on thefa.com. Additional context on the competition schedule was drawn from the FA Cup round dates page. Historical context is supported by Wikipedia’s coverage of FA Cup semi-finals.
The FA said ticketing information would be made available to supporters directly by the clubs.
— The FA, via thefa.com
Wembley also stated that tickets for the Chelsea v Leeds United semi-final would be sold via the competing clubs.
— Wembley Stadium, via wembleystadium.com
Summary: Your 2026 FA Cup Semi-Final Guide
The FA Cup semi-finals for the 2025-26 season were confirmed for the weekend of 25–26 April 2026 at Wembley Stadium, with Manchester City facing Southampton and Chelsea taking on Leeds United. Broadcast coverage was split across BBC, TNT Sports, and HBO Max, with radio on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT. Ticketing was managed by the clubs. For the latest updates, bookmark the official FA Cup page for draw dates and ticket news.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many FA Cup semi-finals are there?
There are two semi-final matches. The winners advance to the FA Cup Final.
Why are all FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley?
Since 2008, the FA has chosen to hold all semi-finals at Wembley Stadium to give more fans a ‘Wembley experience’ and to maximize revenue for the football pyramid.
Can I get a refund on my FA Cup semi-final ticket?
Refund policies vary by seller (FA, club, or reseller). Typically, tickets are non-refundable unless a match is postponed or cancelled.
When is the FA Cup Final 2026?
The FA Cup Final is traditionally held in mid-May at Wembley Stadium, roughly three weeks after the semi-finals.
What time is the Manchester City v Southampton semi-final?
The match kicked off at 5:15 pm BST on Saturday 25 April 2026.
What time is the Chelsea v Leeds United semi-final?
The match kicked off at 3:00 pm BST on Sunday 26 April 2026.
Which TV channel showed the Chelsea v Leeds United semi-final?
The match was broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
Is there radio coverage for the semi-finals?
Yes, BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT, and local BBC Radio outlets provided live coverage.
Where can I find highlights of the semi-finals?
Highlights were available on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and the official FA Cup YouTube channel.
Were there any women’s FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley in 2026?
Information regarding Women’s FA Cup semi-finals for 2026 is not confirmed in the available data. The FA manages women’s semi-finals separately.
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