Reviews Streaming

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton live streams free from anywhere

Erling Haaland of Manchester City moves with the soccer ball during a Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final in 2026.
Man City is looking for another trip to the FA Cup Final. Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Reuters Connect
Read in app

The FA Cup semifinals have arrived, and Man City continues its quest to right last year's wrongs with a can't-miss match against Southampton. Below, we've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch Man City vs. Southampton live streams, including free options.

If you don't want to read any further, you can live stream the match for free on BBC iPlayer in the UK, on ESPN Select in the US, and on Stan Sport in Australia. In several other countries, you can stream the match on DAZN. Keep reading to learn about global streaming options and our tips for watching the free UK option from anywhere.

Manchester City and Southampton meet for the first time since their May 2025 Premier League draw match. Prior to that, Man City won the last two matches between the teams. Southampton has made it significantly further this year than their 2025 FA Cup quest, which saw them bounced in the fourth round by Burnley. Man City, on the other hand, made it all the way to the 2025 FA Cup final, where they fell to Crystal Palace 1-0. It's safe to say that Erling Haaland and his crew are vying for another shot at the cup. The winner of today's match will face the winner of tomorrow's Chelsea vs. Leeds match in the final.

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton for free

There are a few different ways to watch Man City vs. Southampton for free around the world. In the UK, the match will air on BBC One and be available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer. In the US, the game will live stream on ESPN Select, which is included in DirecTV MySports and Fubo Sports + News subscriptions, both of which have free trials for new customers.

How to watch Man City vs. Southampton from anywhere

If you're away from the location where your streaming service works, such as the UK, you can still access your free watch options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that enable people to temporarily alter their device's virtual location. They're especially popular among those looking to access their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad or hoping to upgrade their cybersecurity.

NordVPN is a top-rated option. It's user-friendly and one of the best VPNs we've tested. Plus, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not what you're looking for.

NordVPN logo
NordVPN subscription

NordVPN is top of the pile of the best VPN services. It offers excellent value, with a strong feature set and a low monthly price. A wide selection of international servers, high-end security, fast connections, and audited privacy protection have made the brand a household name in the world of VPNs for a reason.

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton in the US

Man City vs. Southampton won't be broadcast on TV in the US, but it will be available on ESPN Select. ESPN Select plans cost $13 a month, but you can upgrade to ESPN Unlimited for $30 a month to unlock even more content.

ESPN logo
ESPN Select

ESPN Select, formerly ESPN Plus, offers select coverage from ESPN properties. While it doesn't have a direct live stream of ESPN networks, like the Unlimited plan, it still offers around 32,000 live sporting events each year.

ESPN Select and Unlimited access is also available with DirecTV MySports and Fubo Sports + News plans. DirecTV MySports carries around 20 channels and costs $65 a month, but new users can get their first two months for $45 a month after a five-day free trial. Fubo Sports + News carries around 28 channels and costs $56 a month, but new customers can get their first month for $46 after a five-day free trial.

DirecTV Stream logo
DirecTV MySports

DirecTV's MySports pack carries popular sports channels, from mainstays like ESPN to niche offerings like the ACC Network.

Fubo logo
Fubo Sports + News

The new Fubo Sports + News pack is only available in select areas. It combines 20+ major sports channels (including the new ESPN Unlimited) and select local networks (ABC, CBS, and FOX).

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton in the UK

Man City vs. Southampton will be available for free on BBC One in the UK. This means fans will also be able to live stream all the action on the BBC iPlayer, a free streaming service in the UK that only requires account creation to use, if you haven't already signed up. The match should also be available on TNT Sports 1 through HBO Max.

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton in Australia

Stan Sport will show Man City vs. Southampton in Australia. Stan base plans cost $12 a month, but you also need to add Sport for an extra $20 a month. In total, this will cost you $32 a month.


Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

Read next

Author Lillian Brown
Lillian Brown
I'm the Senior Associate Editor of Streaming at Business Insider. A lifelong entertainment and media buff, I specialize in helping you find how to watch your favorite shows, movies, and sporting events.My areas of expertiseMy main expertise is in streaming services, television, and film. I've tested nearly every major streaming platform, many of which I've used for several years (and through several rounds of price hikes and rebrands). I evaluate the services for content, user-friendliness, cross-device compatibility, and other metrics to see how they hold up in an increasingly competitive market.In addition to my entertainment background, I also help support our deals and tech verticals. I contribute to our coverage of virtual private networks (VPNs) and smartphones. My experienceI've been writing about entertainment, sports, TV, and film for over seven years, starting my career in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe. I went on to write entertainment features, roundups, and conduct celebrity interviews for publications like Vulture, TV Guide, Esquire, Time, and The Daily Beast before joining Business Insider as a streaming specialist on the Reviews team.In my current role, I write about everything from finding the right VPN for watching overseas soccer games to choosing the best streaming service for original TV series. When I'm not writing, I'm editing stories from freelancers or fellow Reviews team members.I'm also an expert deal hunter. I love the thrill of sharing an amazing discount with readers, whether it be on my favorite streaming services or on products I know our team loves and recommends. I play an active role in writing about sales and deals for the Reviews team, especially on major shopping holidays.Why you can trust meWhether I'm testing streaming platform interfaces or actively comparing channel offerings between services, I always have my finger on the pulse of what’s new in entertainment. I'm the first person to know when a streaming service has changed its price, and whether or not it’s still worth paying for. As a sports fan, I also understand the complexities of ensuring you can watch every single game in a season, especially as streaming services continue to pick up exclusive rights to select sporting events. I think that streaming services should make your life easier, not harder, and I strive to help make that a reality with our guides.Outside of workMost of the time, you can find me watching a horror movie, WNBA game, or long-distance running. I live in Boston.