FA Cup: BBC announce new four-year deal for live coverage of competition

The viewership for Chelsea and Manchester United in the fifth round was the highest of the season in domestic competitions

The FA Cup will continue to be shown live on the BBC until 2025 after a new four-year deal was agreed.

The new deal begins after the 2020/21 season, with up to 18 live games to be shown each season - more than ever before.

The FA, buoyed by the viewing figures from Chelsea and Manchester United's fifth round tie at 8.1 million - the biggest domestic audience of the season - described the agreement as "exciting."

Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief commercial and football development officer, described the competition as the best domestic cup competition in the world.

"The popularity of the competition goes from strength to strength and continues to draw some of the largest audiences in sport," said Bullingham.

"The FA Cup is the best and most historic domestic cup competition in the world - and we are delighted to have agreed a new long-term commitment to keep it on the BBC until 2025."

The FA Cup has a new deal with the BBC (Getty)

The semi-finals will see Manchester City vs Brighton and Watford vs Wolves.