Wembley will set the stage for what looks to be a memorable 153rd FA Cup final as Crystal Palace take on Manchester City, with both sides desperate to end their seasons on a high note for very different reasons.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to watch the game as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if they’re unavailable where you are.
Having lost to Manchester United in the 1990 and 2016 finals, Crystal Palace will be hoping it’ll be third time lucky against a team from that city as Oliver Glasner’s men go in search of the club’s first ever piece of major silverware.
City have meanwhile had a season to forget by their usually lofty expectations under manager Pep Guardiola following a weak defense of their Premier League title and an early exit from the Champions League. A win here today — along with a top five finish in the EPL — would nevertheless go some way to restoring some pride and offer a foundation for what looks set to be a major rebuild for next season.
Manchester City take on Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in northwest London on Saturday, May 17. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. BST local time in the UK, which is 11:30 a.m. ET or 8:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 1:30 a.m. AEST in Australia early on Sunday morning.
How to watch the Man City vs. Crystal Palace game online from anywhere using a VPN
If you’re traveling abroad and want to watch the FA Cup Final live while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins.
VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US, UK and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.
If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions, ensuring you’re connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN use is crucial.
Livestream the Man City vs. Crystal Palace game in the US
This match is streaming exclusively live in the US on ESPN Plus. Kickoff is at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday.
Can I livestream the Man City vs. Crystal Palace game in the UK?
Footy fans in the UK have two choices for watching today’s game — and the great news is that both options are free.
Saturday’s showpiece final will be shown on BBC One and ITV1. That means you’ll also be able to stream the match on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Coverage kicks off on ITV1 at 3 p.m. BST, while BBC One’s broadcast starts at 3:30 p.m.
Livestream Man City vs. Crystal Palace in Canada
Canadian soccer fans looking to watch the FA Cup Final live via Sportsnet.
Livestream the Man City vs. Crystal Palace game in Australia
Football fans down under can watch the FA Cup Final live on streaming service Optus Sport.
Quick tips for streaming the FA Cup Final using a VPN
- With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming FA Cup Final may vary.
- If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the «search for city or country» option.
- If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
- All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, as both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
- And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
