Macclesfield FC vs Crystal Palace FA Cup Third Round: BBC and TNT Sports Coverage with Wayne Rooney and Glenn Murray Analysis

Match date: 10 January 2026

Macclesfield FC vs Crystal Palace FA Cup Third Round: BBC and TNT Sports Coverage with Wayne Rooney and Glenn Murray Analysis

BBC One and BBC iPlayer will provide comprehensive coverage of the FA Cup third round clash between Macclesfield FC and Crystal Palace on Saturday, 10 January 2026, with the match kicking off at 12:15 UTC at The Leasing.com Stadium. The BBC's extensive coverage will feature some of the most recognisable names in football commentary and analysis, with Guy Mowbray handling commentary duties and Mark Chapman presenting from the studio. TNT Sports 1 HD and TNT Sports Ultimate 4K will also broadcast the fixture, offering viewers another premium option with Jules Breach presenting and Adam Summerton on commentary. For radio listeners, BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT will provide full coverage, ensuring fans across the United Kingdom have multiple ways to follow this intriguing David versus Goliath encounter.

This FA Cup third round tie represents one of the competition's most compelling matchups, pitting National League North side Macclesfield FC against defending champions Crystal Palace, with 116 league places separating the two clubs. For Crystal Palace, this marks their first FA Cup campaign as holders, a historic achievement for the Selhurst Park club. Manager Oliver Glasner has already indicated that the Palace side harbour ambitions of repeating their triumph, ensuring they will not be taking their lower-league opponents lightly despite the obvious gulf in quality.

BBC Coverage with Wayne Rooney and Glenn Murray

The BBC's presentation of this fixture will feature an impressive array of football expertise. Guy Mowbray, one of the country's most accomplished commentators, will provide expert play-by-play commentary on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport Online. His measured and insightful commentary style has established him as a trusted voice in football broadcasting, having covered countless major matches and competitions throughout his career.

Mark Chapman will anchor the studio coverage as presenter, bringing his characteristic professionalism and engaging approach to match coverage. Chapman has become a familiar face to BBC Sport audiences, known for his preparation and ability to extract incisive analysis from his punditry team.

The punditry team will include two figures with intimate knowledge of cup football at the highest level. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer and a player who featured in multiple FA Cup finals during his distinguished career, will provide expert analysis on the match. Rooney's experience in high-pressure cup competitions gives him an invaluable perspective, particularly regarding how Crystal Palace should approach this fixture as defending champions. His insights into the mentality required to navigate cup competitions will be particularly relevant given the unpredictability inherent in the FA Cup format.

Glenn Murray completes the BBC punditry offering. The former Brighton and Hove Albion striker and Charlton Athletic player brings considerable experience of lower-league and Championship football. Murray's background as a centre-forward who operated effectively across multiple levels of English football makes him ideally positioned to comment on both Macclesfield's qualities and the technical challenges Crystal Palace may face. Having experienced giant-killing moments and disappointing upsets throughout his career, Murray's perspective on the pressure facing Palace will be particularly valuable.

Reporter Sarah Mulkerrins will complete the BBC team, gathering pitch-side interviews and colour commentary throughout the match. Mulkerrins has established herself as one of the BBC's most capable match reporters, known for accessing players and staff with insightful questioning.

TNT Sports Coverage with Adam Summerton and Lucy Ward

TNT Sports will provide alternative coverage on TNT Sports 1 HD and TNT Sports Ultimate 4K, with Jules Breach presenting and Adam Summerton on commentary duties alongside Lucy Ward as co-commentator. This team represents TNT's commitment to delivering high-quality coverage of cup football to British audiences.

Adam Summerton's commentary will be complemented by analysis from Michail Antonio and Joleon Lescott. Antonio, the West Ham United forward, brings current Premier League experience and an understanding of the pressures facing top-flight sides in the cup competition. Lescott, the former Manchester City, Everton and West Bromwich Albion defender, offers tactical insight into how Palace should structure their approach defensively against a side capable of exploiting set-pieces and long-ball tactics.

Reporter Olivia Buzaglo will provide additional insights and interviews for the TNT production.

Radio Coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT

For listeners preferring audio coverage, BBC Radio 5 Live will broadcast comprehensive match commentary and analysis. Steve Crossman will present the coverage, with John Murray handling commentary and Paul Robinson serving as co-commentator. Robinson's experience as a goalkeeper at the highest level brings another valuable perspective to the proceedings. Reporter Gary Flintoff will provide additional match reporting. This same team will be available on BBC Sounds and BBC Sport Online Audio, ensuring listeners can follow the action across multiple platforms.

talkSPORT will offer an alternative radio commentary experience, with Natalie Sawyer presenting alongside Jim Proudfoot on commentary and Andy Townsend as co-commentator. Townsend's background as a former Chelsea and England midfielder provides professional experience of navigating cup competitions at the elite level. This broadcast will be available on the main talkSPORT channel, talkRadio, and the talkSPORT App.

International Coverage and Streaming Options

Beyond UK broadcasts, the fixture will receive significant international coverage. Discovery+ UK will provide streaming coverage with Jules Breach presenting, Adam Summerton on commentary, and Lucy Ward as co-commentator, alongside punditry from Michail Antonio and Joleon Lescott. ESPN+ will broadcast to United States audiences, whilst various broadcasters across Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions will cover the match, reflecting the global appeal of the FA Cup.

The Match Context

Crystal Palace's position as defending FA Cup champions represents a significant achievement for the Selhurst Park club. Their journey to winning the competition last season involved several memorable moments, and manager Oliver Glasner has now guided them into the third round of this year's competition. The pressure to retain a trophy they worked hard to secure will be evident throughout the squad, though facing a National League North side potentially provides them with a favourable draw on paper.

Macclesfield FC will approach this tie with considerable hope. The FA Cup has a proud tradition of providing opportunities for lower-league clubs to test themselves against top-flight opposition, and occasionally engineering shock results. Macclesfield's home advantage at The Leasing.com Stadium could prove significant, and their players will be aware that a strong performance could attract attention and excitement within their fanbase and beyond.

The commentary teams assembled by the BBC and TNT reflect the importance placed on this fixture by British broadcasters. The presence of former players and managers provides essential context and analysis for viewers and listeners trying to understand the tactical and psychological dimensions of the match. Wayne Rooney's perspective on how defending champions navigate cup pressure, combined with Glenn Murray's experience at the lower levels of English football, provides audiences with unusually comprehensive insight into both sides of this contest.

Supporters across the United Kingdom have exceptional options for following this FA Cup third round fixture, whether through BBC One or TNT Sports on television, BBC iPlayer or Discovery+ via streaming, or radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT. The match promises to deliver the unpredictability and drama that makes the FA Cup such a treasured part of English football culture.

External Links:
1. https://www.fotmob.com/matches/macclesfield-fc-vs-crystal-palace/2t2j5j
2. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/01/10/macclesfield-v-crystal-palace-live-score-fa-cup-third-round/
3. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/762496/crystal-palace-macclesfield-fc