THE FA CUP final will be shown live on terrestrial TV in Ireland for the first time in 17 years later this month after TV3 today announced they have acquired the rights.
The broadcaster will have coverage of the showpiece event of the English football calendar on Saturday 30 May when Arsenal face Aston Villa at Wembley.
The deal will also see TV3 show the final in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The competition was only previously available to Irish viewers on ITV or BT Sport.
“The FA Cup Final has always been one of the biggest events in the football calendar and we are thrilled to make the Wembley occasion available to our viewers,” Pat Kiely, TV3 Group Commercial Director, said.
This year’s final will be of particular interest to Irish fans with Shay Given and U21 international Jack Grealish both potentially involved.
“The Road to Wembley this year has provided plenty of surprises and the final promises to be a great occasion, with more than a little interest for Irish soccer fans.”
In December, TV3 retained the rights to broadcast Champions League games in Ireland on a Tuesday evening for a further three years and continue to have exclusive coverage of the Europa League on Thursdays.
Later this year, the free-to-air station will show exclusive coverage of all 48 matches in the Rugby World Cup with The42‘s very own Murray Kinsella part of its punditry team.
“Off the back of our new three year deal with UEFA for Champions League Tuesdays until 2018 and our exclusive coverage of Rugby World Cup 2015, TV3 continues to offer some of the biggest event programming in Ireland for our viewers and advertisers,” Kiely added.
The 2015 FA Cup Final kicks-off at 5.30pm on 30 May.
