How to follow the FA Cup on the BBC this weekend

What the report says

BBC Sport Football says the FA Cup first round proper begins this weekend after six rounds of preliminary and qualifying ties, with 40 matches spread from Friday through Monday. The BBC is using its “Ask Me Anything” format to help viewers and listeners track the competition, with coverage across TV, radio, live text and digital clips.

On television, the BBC will show two live first-round matches on BBC Two and iPlayer: Altrincham against Notts County on Saturday and Cray Wanderers against Stockport County on Sunday. A Sunday highlights programme will also recap the weekend’s action, including Leicester City’s trip to Oxford City. The report notes that Premier League and Championship clubs do not enter the FA Cup until the third round.

Radio coverage will be available on BBC local stations and BBC Sounds, with selected games also on BBC 5 Sports Extra channels. The listed fixtures include Oxford City v Leicester City, Bristol Rovers v Cambridge United, and several Saturday, Sunday and Monday ties, giving fans multiple ways to follow matches live.

The broader significance is the same as every FA Cup first round: lower-league and non-league clubs get a chance to test themselves against higher-ranked opposition, while supporters can follow the competition through BBC platforms even if they cannot watch every game live.