So a live stream presentation on ESPN+ is the only way to watch Chelsea vs. Arsenal in the U.S. on Saturday afternoon.
MORE: Live updates from the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal
The 2019-20 FA Cup first round took place back in November, with the Blues and the Gunners joining the competition with other Premier League and Championship teams in Round 3. Chelsea have defeated Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Liverpool, Leicester City and Manchester United on their way to the final. Arsenal have cleared Leeds United, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Manchester City.
This London derby is a convenient matchup since the FA Final takes place at the city’s Wembley Stadium, though no fans will be allowed to attend. That of course has been the case for all FA Cup matches this summer in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Below is how to watch Saturday’s match as Chelsea try to win their ninth FA Cup and Arsenal aim for their record 14th.
FA Cup final live stream for Chelsea vs. Arsenal
FA Cup live stream: ESPN+
When ESPN secured the rights to broadcast FA Cup matches in the United States in 2018, it did for ESPN+, the company’s online sports streaming service that at the time was brand new. A couple years later, ESPN+ is still the exclusive rights holder of FA Cup matches in the U.S.
That means even the FA Cup final is not on TV in the U.S.; it’s only on ESPN+.
ESPN+ costs $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year. It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+ and Hulu for $12.99 a month.
In addition to FA Cup matches, ESPN+ shows all Serie A and FA Community Shield matches in the U.S., as well as events from American leagues MLB, NHL and MLS among other sports.
ESPN+ can be accessed from the following devices:
ESPN+ can be streamed on up to three devices at once for most content. It is not available in Canada.
FA Cup final: TV channel for Chelsea vs. Arsenal
Because ESPN+ has the exclusive right to show FA Cup matches in the United States, Saturday’s FA Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal is not on TV in the U.S. ESPN+’s deal to broadcast FA Cup matches lasts through 2021.
In the United Kingdom, of course, the match can be seen live on three different TV channels — BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BT Sport.
In Canada, the FA Cup final can be seen on Sportsnet.
FA Cup schedule 2020
All 2019-20 FA Cup competition was paused for three months as the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally. It finally restarted in late June with the quarterfinal round.
Below is the complete table of results from this season’s FA Cup competition:
