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Fans without a Sky Sports subscription will be able to watch the Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City for free
How to watch the Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City for free on UK TV
- ITV in Sky deal: A sub-licensing deal, agreed in 2024, allows a selection of EFL and Carabao Cup matches to be broadcast on terrestrial television alongside Sky Sports’ own extensive coverage. The deal includes Sunday’s final.
- Length of deal: The current broadcast arrangement runs until the end of the 2026/27 season. This means fans can rely on the final being available on terrestrial TV for at least one more year after Sunday’s showpiece.
- Cost of deal: The sub-licensing deal is reportedly worth approximately £15 million. This additional revenue from ITV helps bolster the financial distribution to all 72 EFL clubs, supporting the broader English football pyramid beyond the Premier League.
- Coverage start time: Coverage on ITV and STV begins at 3.30pm with interviews and analysis. The match kicks off at 4.30pm.
- UK streaming: Fans can also watch for free on the ITVX and STV Player apps with a verified account. That allows streaming on mobile phones, tablets and smart TVs nationwide.
- Sky’s role: While ITV provides the free-to-air alternative, Sky, as the primary rights holder, continues to broadcast every single match of the tournament live across its various channels and the Sky Sports+ platform.
- Sky coverage: Build-up begins on the Sky Sports Football channel at 3.30pm, while Sky Sports Main Event will also show the match following the conclusion of the relegation six-pointer between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest
- US viewers: The game is exclusive to Paramount+. The streaming service will begin its coverage at 11.30am ET. While it requires a subscription, new users can often take advantage of a seven-day free trial to catch the final.
- UK radio: Coverage will be provided by BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT. Both stations will offer full live commentary, build-up and post-match reaction.
- READ MORE: Arsenal chief Josh Kroenke travels for Carabao Cup final as transfer plan emerges
