Need to know
Fans without a Sky Sports subscription will be able to watch the Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City for free
Sunday’s showpiece is a repeat of the 2018 final(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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
