Reigning Carabao Cup champions Newcastle United will lock horns with Manchester City in their semi-final and fans will be able to watch the first leg of the tie for free
15:00, 13 Jan 2026
Newcastle United are just 180 minutes away from a return to Wembley to defend their Carabao Cup crown. The 2025 champions beat Liverpool to lift the trophy last year and are still in the running to go all the way this year as they aim to retain the title.
Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak helped Eddie Howe's side clinch a 2-1 Wembley win to end a long wait for silverware. Isak has since left for Liverpool but Burn remains at St James' Park to help lead the charge for another trophy.
Manchester City stand in Newcastle's way, with a two-legged semi-final to decide which of the sides progresses. Newcastle will host the first leg and fans will be able to watch the teams in action for free.
As part of an EFL deal, a select number of matches in this season's competition will be broadcast on free-to-air TV as well as on Sky Sports. ITV has already shown several matches in the competition, including Manchester United's shock second-round defeat to Grimsby Town and Newcastle's quarter-final victory over Fulham.
When is Newcastle United vs Manchester City?
The first leg of Newcastle United vs Manchester City will take place at St James' Park on Tuesday, January 13 at 8pm. Both teams will be looking to claim an advantage going into the return leg, which will be held at the Etihad Stadium on February 4 at the same kick-off time.
Is Newcastle United vs Manchester City on TV?
Fans will be able to watch Newcastle United vs Manchester City wherever they get their Sky Sports or ITV coverage. ITV1, STV1, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR will be airing the game, while fans in the UK can also stream the match via platforms including ITVX, Sky Go, STV Player or NOW TV.
"As part of the continued deal between Sky Sports and ITV, the broadcaster will give UK football fans the chance to watch free-to-air coverage of select Carabao Cup and EFL matches," ITV confirmed in July, before the start of the season. "A total of 20 matches will be broadcast by ITV in the 2025/26 season, made up of 10 Carabao Cup ties and 10 EFL selections."
Watch the Carabao Cup with discounted Sky Sports package
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Sky customers can watch every Carabao Cup semi-final game with the discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches each season across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Select fixtures will also be broadcast free-to-air on ITV.
Seven of those 10 Carabao Cup matches have already been broadcast, with Newcastle vs Manchester City making it eight. The second leg of the other semi-final between Arsenal and Chelsea will also be available free to air, as will the final.
Radio coverage of Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Live radio coverage will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Coverage will begin at 7pm, with an hour of build-up before the match kicks off.
Newcastle United vs Manchester City highlights
ITV's semi-final highlights show will air on Wednesday, January 14 at 11:25pm on ITV4. The programme will include highlights from both semi-final first legs.
Newcastle United and Manchester City's last results
Both teams go into the game off the back of victories in the third round of the FA Cup, though those wins were secured in very different circumstances. Newcastle needed penalties to see off Bournemouth after a 3-3 draw, while Manchester City secured a huge 10-1 win at home to Exeter City.
The match saw Antoine Semenyo, who joined City from Bournemouth earlier in the week, score on his debut for his new club. Rico Lewis scored his first two goals of the season in the victory, while academy youngsters Max Alleyne and Ryan McAidoo scored their first ever senior goals for the club.
"You see in everything what kind of person he is - he’s humble, he’s really hard working, he’s a machine in terms of pressing," City assistant manager Pep Lijnders said of new arrival Semenyo. "We really like that he’s with us, now it’s for us to make him feel comfortable and for him to adjust to the team’s style – if you’re open, that always helps."
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