Is Newcastle vs Manchester City on TV? How to watch Carabao Cup clash for free

Manchester City face holders Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with the first leg to be broadcast free-to-air in the UK

Manchester City have a chance to deny Newcastle United a return to Wembley to defend their Carabao Cup title. The reigning 2025 champions, who triumphed over Liverpool to claim the trophy last year, are still in contention to repeat their success this year but need to overcome Pep Guardiola's side.

Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secured a 2-1 victory for Eddie Howe's team at Wembley, ending a lengthy trophy drought. City's run ended in the fourth round last season, with Tottenham beating them 2-1 in North London, though the 2021 winners have conceded just once in their three matches in this season's competiton.

Guardiola's men are unlikely to be pushovers, with a two-legged semi-final determining which team will advance. Newcastle will host the first leg, and fans of both sides - and neutrals - will have the opportunity to watch the match free of charge.

As part of an EFL agreement, a selection of matches from this season's competition will be broadcast on free-to-air television as well as on Sky Sports. Terrestrial broadcaster ITV has already aired several matches, including Grimsby Town's shock win over Manchester United, but this is the first City game this season picked up by the broadcaster.

When is Newcastle United vs Manchester City?

The first leg of Newcastle United vs Manchester City is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13 at 8pm at St James' Park. Both teams will be vying for an advantage ahead of the second leg, which will take place at the Etihad Stadium on February 4, also at 8pm.

Is Newcastle United vs Manchester City on TV?

Fans will be able to watch the first leg between Newcastle United and Manchester City wherever they access their Sky Sports or ITV coverage. ITV1, STV1, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR will all be showing the game, whilst supporters in the UK can also stream the fixture 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."

Seven of those 10 Carabao Cup fixtures have already been shown, with Newcastle vs Manchester City being the eighth. The second leg of the other semi-final between Arsenal and Chelsea will also be available on free-to-air television, as will the final.

Radio coverage of Newcastle United vs Manchester City

Live radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Coverage will start at 7pm, with an hour of pre-match build-up before kick-off.

Newcastle United vs Manchester City highlights

ITV's semi-final highlights programme will be broadcast on Wednesday, January 14 at 11:25pm on ITV4. The show will feature highlights from both semi-final first legs.

Newcastle United and Manchester City's last results

Both sides head into the fixture following victories in the FA Cup third round, though the nature of those triumphs couldn't have been more contrasting. Newcastle required a penalty shootout to overcome Bournemouth after a thrilling 3-3 draw, whilst Manchester City cruised to an emphatic 10-1 home victory against Exeter City.

The match saw Antoine Semenyo, who had completed his move to City from Bournemouth earlier in the week, find the net on his debut for his new side. Rico Lewis notched his opening two goals of the campaign in the rout, whilst academy prospects Max Alleyne and Ryan McAidoo each scored their maiden 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."