Everton v Sunderland FA Cup Radio Commentary: Where to Listen and Who’s On Air

The English FA Cup has always carried a special charm for British football fans, and the third-round tie between Everton and Sunderland is exactly the sort of clash that captures that magic. With Premier League Everton hosting Championship side Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, this lunchtime kick-off draws strong interest not just on television around the world, but especially on UK radio and digital audio coverage, where the story and atmosphere of the cup are brought to life for listeners who cannot be in the ground.

In the UK, the match is being carried extensively on the BBC’s radio platforms, with dedicated coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Newcastle, the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online (audio). This comprehensive line-up means supporters of both clubs – and neutral FA Cup followers – can choose either a national feed or a local, club-focused commentary.

Beyond Britain, the global broadcast footprint is substantial, with streams and TV coverage via platforms such as Astro GO, beIN Sports, Disney+, DAZN and ESPN, underlining how the FA Cup remains one of world football’s most recognisable and marketable domestic cup competitions. The match itself sits within the 2025–26 Emirates FA Cup third round, with Everton strong at home in Liverpool and Sunderland looking to spring a classic cup upset.[3][5]

How to Listen in the UK: BBC Radio and Digital Platforms

For British listeners, the most important question is how to follow Everton v Sunderland live. The BBC is providing a rich suite of options:

BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

BBC Radio 5 Live continues its tradition as the BBC’s flagship national sports and news station, and it is carrying updates and coverage of this FA Cup tie as part of its Saturday football output. 5 Live has long been central to FA Cup coverage, dating back to the rebranding of BBC Radio 2’s sport output and then the launch of dedicated sport networks, and remains a key rights holder for live radio commentary of major football competitions in Britain.

Alongside that, a more detailed match-focused call is available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, the BBC’s digital-only spin-off geared towards live sport when the main 5 Live schedule is full. Here, the coverage is fronted by Phil Munns, a regular BBC presenter who has helmed a variety of live sport and around-the-grounds programmes on the corporation’s output. Munns provides continuity between studio and stadium, guiding listeners through build-up, team news and half-time analysis.

The main commentary on 5 Sports Extra 2 is supplied by Mike Hughes, with Ronny Goodlass as co-commentator. Hughes is an experienced radio commentator who has handled Football League and Premier League games at various levels, providing a clear descriptive style and steady pacing well suited to radio audiences. His partnership with Goodlass ensures a local Everton flavour combined with neutral insight.

Ronny Goodlass, a former Everton winger who came through the club in the 1970s and later moved into the media, is a familiar voice to Merseyside listeners. His playing background at Everton gives him a strong tactical and emotional connection to the club, which translates into detailed analysis of wide play, crossing, and midfield structure. After retiring, Goodlass built a career as a summariser and co-commentator on local radio, especially for Everton matches, making him an ideal analyst for this FA Cup tie.

BBC Radio Merseyside

For Blues fans on Merseyside, BBC Radio Merseyside is again the go-to local station. The station provides a dedicated feed for Everton v Sunderland, also fronted by Phil Munns with Mike Hughes and Ronny Goodlass reprising their roles as lead commentator and co-commentator. Radio Merseyside has a long history of covering Everton and Liverpool in league, cup and European competitions, and has become part of the matchday routine for many supporters who prefer a locally flavoured commentary.

The local coverage often includes extra focus on club news, community stories and reaction from the manager and players, especially post-match. Everton’s deep roots in Liverpool, and the club’s decades-long presence in the top flight, are regularly reflected in Radio Merseyside’s editorial choices and the station’s close relationship with the fanbase.

BBC Radio Newcastle

On the other side of the tie, BBC Radio Newcastle caters for Sunderland supporters making the trip to Merseyside or following from the North East. The main commentator is Nick Barnes, with Gary Bennett as co-commentator. Barnes is widely recognised in the region for his long-standing coverage of Sunderland AFC, having called countless league and cup matches across different divisions. His commentary style balances detailed description with measured emotional engagement, a tone that has made him a trusted voice among Black Cats supporters.

Gary Bennett, a former Sunderland defender, brings first-hand experience of playing at Roker Park and the Stadium of Light, as well as insight into the pressures of relegation fights and promotion pushes. Post-retirement, Bennett moved into radio summarising, particularly on Sunderland games, where he has become known for his forthright analysis, tactical breakdowns and willingness to critique both sides when necessary. His partnership with Barnes on BBC Radio Newcastle has been a staple of Wearside football coverage for many years.

BBC Sounds App and BBC Sport Online (Audio)

For listeners who prefer to stream on mobile or desktop, the BBC is also offering coverage via the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online (audio). These platforms aggregate the different local and national feeds, making it easier for fans outside their home region to follow their preferred commentary team.

On BBC Sounds, the match setup lists Phil Munns as presenter, with main commentary from both Mike Hughes and Nick Barnes, and co-commentary from Ronny Goodlass and Gary Bennett. That effectively brings together the Merseyside and Tyneside perspectives for a digital audience. BBC Sport Online (audio) mirrors this structure, offering an accessible way for fans at work, on the move or outside the UK to pick up live radio commentary, depending on rights and geo-restrictions.

Alongside these feeds, BBC Radio 5 Live also deploys reporter Nathan Albon, who provides updates, interviews and colour from the ground to slot into broader Saturday coverage. This reporter role is crucial to tying the FA Cup action into a full afternoon of sport, bringing short, sharp insights and live reaction for listeners who may be hopping between multiple ties.

talkSPORT 2 and talkSPORT App Coverage

In addition to BBC radio, commercial broadcaster talkSPORT has its own coverage via talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app. The talkSPORT 2 feed is presented by Max Scott, with Cameron Pope as main commentator and Charlie Adam as co-commentator.

Max Scott is part of talkSPORT’s newer generation of presenters, often tasked with handling live football around the grounds and EFL or cup coverage, fitting the station’s style of fast-paced, opinion-led broadcasting. Cameron Pope provides the primary match call; while he spends much of his time in commentary on domestic and international fixtures, he is also known for contributions to written and digital football analysis.

The co-commentator, Charlie Adam, is a particularly recognisable name to British fans. A former Scottish international midfielder, Adam enjoyed spells at Blackpool, Liverpool and Stoke City, among others, known for his passing range, set-piece ability and powerful left foot. Since retiring, Adam has moved into punditry and co-commentary, drawing on his Premier League and Championship experience to explain tactical nuances, in-game adjustments and the psychological side of high-pressure matches. On talkSPORT 2 he offers a more opinionated, ex-pro perspective that fits the station’s brand.

Through the talkSPORT app, the same commentary team of Scott, Pope and Adam is available to stream online, allowing UK-based fans another alternative to follow the FA Cup tie in audio form. This multiplicity of options – BBC national, BBC local, BBC digital and talkSPORT – reflects the depth of radio investment in the FA Cup.

International Broadcasts and Presenters

Although this article is aimed primarily at British readers, many will be interested to know how the match is covered internationally. Everton v Sunderland is available on a variety of platforms worldwide, reflecting the enduring pull of the FA Cup.

In the United States, the game is carried on ESPN 2, ESPN Unlimited (US) and ESPN+ USA. The studio coverage is fronted by Kay Murray, with punditry from Shaka Hislop and Kasey Keller, and reporting from Alex Aljoe and Jermaine Beckford.

Kay Murray has built an international broadcasting profile through her work on European football coverage, previously with Real Madrid TV and beIN Sports before her move to ESPN. Her presenting style is informed by deep knowledge of La Liga and European competitions, and she has become one of the more prominent faces of English-language football coverage aimed at North American audiences.

Shaka Hislop, a former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper, played in the Premier League for Newcastle United, West Ham United and Portsmouth. After his playing days, he turned to punditry and has been a regular presence on ESPN FC and other football shows. His experience of English football at the highest level, including FA Cup campaigns, allows him to discuss goalkeeping decisions, defensive organisation and the physical demands of the English game.

Kasey Keller is another ex-goalkeeper, this time from the United States, who enjoyed a long career in England, Germany and Spain, including spells at Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. Keller’s analysis often focuses on defensive structures, goalkeeper positioning and the differences between leagues – insight that is particularly valuable when an FA Cup tie pits teams from different tiers of the English pyramid against each other.

Alex Aljoe and Jermaine Beckford serve as reporters. Aljoe has worked across several broadcasters covering European football, often combining sideline reporting with digital features. Jermaine Beckford, a former striker for clubs such as Leeds United and Everton, has expanded his media presence in recent years, appearing as a pundit and reporter on various UK and international platforms. His direct connection to Everton gives additional colour to his pitch-side contributions in this tie.

Elsewhere in the world, the match is streamed and broadcast through services such as Astro GO (geo-restricted), beIN Connect New Zealand, beIN Sports MENA English 1 HD, Bluu App in Caribbean and Dominican Republic markets, DAZN Italia, Disney+ Brazil, Disney+ South America, Hub Sports 2 HD, MONOMAX in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, Now Sports 651 in Hong Kong, Rush Sports in the Caribbean, Sony Sports TEN 2 India HD, SonyLIV in India, Sportsnet World HD and Sportsnet+ Premium in Canada, Stan Sport in Australia and SuperSport Premier League HD in Africa. Taken together, this network illustrates how the FA Cup’s broadcasting rights are spread across premium pay-TV and streaming providers in different territories.

The Match in Context: Everton, Sunderland and the FA Cup

This FA Cup third-round tie sees Everton – a club with a long top-flight pedigree and five FA Cup titles in their history – hosting Sunderland, a club with its own proud tradition and a fanbase that travels in numbers for big occasions.[3][5] The match is scheduled for a lunchtime kick-off, generating a classic Saturday-evening viewing slot for overseas audiences and a prime lunchtime listening window in the UK.

Recent head-to-head meetings between the sides include league and cup fixtures in which Everton have often held the upper hand, though Sunderland have produced notable wins of their own in the Premier League era.[2] In the FA Cup, the romance of the competition means that league status is no guarantee of progress; third-round weekends are famous for shocks, and broadcasters lean heavily into that narrative by assembling strong commentary teams with deep connections to the clubs involved.

Everton’s home ground, now named Hill Dickinson Stadium in current documentation, hosts this tie in front of a crowd eager for a cup run to lift the season. Sunderland, backed by a passionate away following, will be looking to channel the spirit of their rich cup history, which includes memorable FA Cup triumphs and upsets over higher-ranked opposition.[3]

The FA Cup itself, organised by the Football Association, is the oldest national football competition in the world, featuring clubs from across the English football pyramid. Its open draw and single-elimination format encourage surprises, which is why broadcasters from the BBC to ESPN invest heavily in presenting, punditry and commentary teams that can tell the stories behind both favourites and underdogs.

Key Voices to Listen Out For

For British fans deciding where to tune in, it can be helpful to match the commentary team to your preferred style:

• If you want a national BBC feel with broad FA Cup context, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 with Phil Munns, Mike Hughes and Ronny Goodlass offer a blend of studio anchoring and detailed Everton-focused analysis.
• If you are an Everton supporter on Merseyside, BBC Radio Merseyside gives a local angle with the same trio and additional regional flavour.
• If you follow Sunderland from the North East, BBC Radio Newcastle with Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett provides long-established Sunderland-centric coverage.
• If you prefer a more opinionated, commercial style, talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app, with Max Scott, Cameron Pope and Charlie Adam, bring a punchier, ex-pro-driven approach.
• For digital-first listeners, the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online (audio) allow you to pick up these feeds wherever you are, subject to rights.

For those curious about the broader picture of the FA Cup and its broadcasting landscape, further background can be found via official and reputable sources such as the Football Association’s FA Cup pages<\/a>, Everton’s official site at evertonfc.com<\/a> and Sunderland’s site at safc.com<\/a>, which often publish broadcast and ticketing information around major cup ties.

Whichever audio or video platform you choose, this Everton v Sunderland FA Cup meeting is well served by an extensive roster of presenters, commentators and pundits, ensuring that the full drama of the third round is captured for fans in Britain and around the world.