FA Cup final on U.S. broadcast TV for first time ever with FOX airing

At long last, during the 150th anniversary of England’s Football Association, the final of the FA Cup — the world’s oldest soccer competition and England’s main domestic cup tournament — will air in the United States for the first time ever on broadcast television (granted, television hasn’t been around during the entire existence of the FA, but still). In America, FOX will air the 2013 FA Cup final, between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic, live this Saturday, May 11, at 12pm ET. Gus Johnson calls the action of the FA Cup final, with analysis from former England international standout Ian Wright, live from London’s Wembley Stadium.

FOX is billing this Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic contest as a David vs Goliath matchup of sorts. Manchester City is one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, and is a five-time FA Cup champion (most recently winning the FA Cup in 2011). The team is packed with star players such as Argentine striker Sergio Aguero and Spanish midfielder David Silva.

At the other end, Wigan Athletic is in 18th place, and the squad’s battle to avoid relegation to the lower division seems bleak. But despite financial woes and player salary reductions, the team prepares to pull off a historic upset in their first-ever FA Cup final appearance in the club’s 81-year history.

FOX Soccer’s Rob Stone, Eric Wynalda, Warren Barton and Brian McBride will break down the FA Cup final action live from their Los Angeles studios. Real-time updates will be available at FOXSoccer.com, and McBride will host a Twitter chat from his handle (@BMcBride20) using the hashtag #HeyBrian. An encore presentation of the FA Cup final will also air later on May 11, at 5pm ET, on FOX Soccer.

Following the FA Cup Final, FOX Sports will air a special UEFA Champions League Final preview, The Road to Wembley, at 2:30pm ET on FOX. The show will relive the journey of the two remaining teams in the UEFA Champions League, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as they head into the all-German finale, also at Wembley Stadium (live on FOX May 25 at 2pm ET). Gus Johnson will host this preview show alongside former England captain and Barclays Premier League all-time record goal-scorer Alan Shearer from London.

The 2013 FA Cup Final, Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic, airs live on FOX May 11 at 12pm ET.

A replay of the match airs May 11 at 5pm ET on FOX Soccer.

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FA Cup final, Yaya Toure and Arouna Kone: TheFA.com

4 Comments

  1. No, not Gus Johnson!! He’s terrible. Makes me want to find a stream from England.

    • Hi, Jennifer. It will depend upon where you are. ESPN will carry the final in the UK. In the United States, the final will be on the FOX broadcast network. Thanks.

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