Where to Watch Newcastle United vs Manchester City Carabao Cup Semi-Final: ITV, Sky Sports and BBC Radio Coverage Guide

Football fans across the UK are gearing up for an electrifying clash in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg as Newcastle United host Manchester City at St James' Park on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, with kick-off at 20:00 UK time. This mouthwatering encounter pits the trophy holders, who sensationally lifted the cup last season after 70 years without silverware, against Pep Guardiola's Citizens, who dominated the competition with four straight wins from 2018 to 2021. British viewers have prime access through trusted broadcasters like ITV, Sky Sports, and BBC Radio, ensuring comprehensive coverage from live action to expert analysis.

ITV1 / HD, ITV X (geo/R), and STV (Scotland) / HD along with STV Player (geo/R) will broadcast the match with presenter Mark Pougatch at the helm. Veteran commentator Sam Matterface, known for his energetic calls on major ITV football coverage including World Cups and Euros, leads the commentary alongside co-commentator Lucy Ward, a former Leeds United and England international with a sharp tactical insight honed from her playing days and current punditry roles. Pundits Joleon Lescott, the former Everton and Manchester City defender with over 300 Premier League appearances, and Les Ferdinand, Newcastle's iconic ex-striker and ex-QPR director of football, promise heated debates. Reporter Gabriel Clarke will deliver pitchside updates. ITV's EFL Carabao Cup Highlights channel features the same team for post-match round-ups.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports Football HD, Sky Sports Main Event HD, and Sky Sports Main Event UHD offer live coverage presented by Mark Chapman, a staple of Sky's football output with decades of experience across Premier League and internationals. Main commentator Bill Leslie, celebrated for his work on Sky Sports' Champions League and World Cup broadcasts, pairs with co-commentator Chris Sutton, the ex-Chelsea, Blackburn, and Celtic striker turned forthright pundit. Pundits include Jamie Redknapp, the ex-Liverpool captain with a media career spanning Sky and punditry legend status; Micah Richards, Manchester City's academy product turned charismatic analyst; and Dan Burn, Newcastle's towering defender offering home insights. Reporter Patrick Davison leads updates, with Sky Sports News / HD featuring additional punditry from Sutton and reporters like Juliette Ferrington, Alan Irwin, and Keith Downie.

BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds APP, and BBC Sport Online (Audio) provide stellar audio coverage presented by Kelly Cates, daughter of Liverpool icon Tommy Smith and a seasoned host on Sky Sports and BBC with a knack for lively studio debates. Main commentator Ian Dennis, BBC's football expert with over 25 years covering top-flight games, teams with co-commentator Pat Nevin, the stylish ex-Chelsea winger and eloquent pundit known from his BBC and talkSPORT stints. Pundit Dwight Gayle, former Newcastle striker with 20+ goals for the club, adds Magpies perspective, supported by reporters Simon Stone, Elizabeth Conway, and Umir Irfan. Local flavour comes via BBC Radio Newcastle and NUFC TV with Matthew Raisbeck commentating and John Anderson (BBC) co-commentating.

Beyond terrestrial giants, talkSPORT and talkSPORT App feature presenter Adrian Durham with co-commentator Dean Ashton, the ex-West Ham and Tottenham forward whose career was cut short but whose analysis shines on radio. Manchester City fans can tune into City+, Recast: Manchester City, and YouTube: Man City for club-produced coverage presented by Natalie Pike, with commentator Alistair Mann and co-commentator Michael Brown, ex-Sheffield United and Spurs midfielder. Pundits Steph Houghton, England women's captain and City legend, and Amos Murphy round it out.

The world feed, led by main commentator James Fielden, powers international broadcasts like beIN Connect New Zealand, beIN Sports Australia 3 HD, beIN Sports MENA English 1 HD (with presenter Aarran Summers, pundits Didier Domi and Nicky Summerbee), DAZN Canada, multiple Disney+ services (Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Dominican Republic, Mexico, South America), ESPN Caribbean, Paramount+ (US) (presenter Poppy Miller, pundits Nigel Reo-Coker, Troy Deeney, Mike Grella, former official Christina Unkel), Sporty TV Nigeria, and SuperSport Premier League HD, all with reporter Andy Kerr where specified.

Newcastle enter as defending champions after their historic win over Liverpool last season, their first major trophy since 1955, and recent form shows resilience with three Premier League wins and an FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Bournemouth[1][4]. Under Eddie Howe, the Magpies boast a strong home record in the Carabao Cup, having beaten City, Southampton, and Tottenham en route here[4]. Key players like Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, and Anthony Gordon feature prominently[2].

Manchester City, aiming to reignite domestic dominance after a Premier League dip with three draws, recently thrashed Exeter 10-1 in the FA Cup and signed Antoine Semenyo[4]. Guardiola eyes the cup as a springboard to challenge Arsenal, with stars like Phil Foden returning and Erling Haaland's threat looming[1][6]. Head-to-head, City lead with 67 wins to Newcastle's 55 in 158 meetings[1]. Prediction: a tight 1-1 draw in this leg[4].

For more on the Newcastle United, delve into their official site. Explore Manchester City's matchday hub. Check Carabao Cup details for the road to Wembley.

With such stellar line-ups, from Matterface's booming voice to Richards' infectious enthusiasm, this semi-final promises not just football but a broadcasting masterclass. Whether you're in the Toon Army or Cityzens, tune in to your preferred channel for what could be a Wembley decider.

The stakes couldn't be higher: Newcastle seek back-to-back triumphs, emulating City's 2020/21 feat, while Guardiola's side hunts redemption post their four-in-a-row dynasty[1]. St James' Park's atmosphere will be electric, amplified by local radio passion from Raisbeck and Anderson. Internationally, world feed ensures global fans catch Fielden's measured tones.

ITV's Pougatch, a broadcasting veteran since the 90s with Champions League and Six Nations creds, leads a panel blending Lescott's City know-how—having won two Premier Leagues there—and Ferdinand's 149 Newcastle goals. Sky's Chapman, post his BBC football days, oversees Leslie, whose Sky tenure includes iconic goals galore, and Sutton's no-nonsense views from his 800+ career games.

BBC's Cates brings family football pedigree, Dennis offers encyclopaedic knowledge from countless finals, Nevin's flair insights from 500+ top-flight outings, and Gayle's inside track from his 2018-2023 Newcastle stint. talkSPORT's Durham, the gravel-voiced drive-time king, pairs with Ashton, whose punditry dissects tactics post his promising career.

Club channels add intimacy: Pike for City fans, with Houghton’s 108 England caps and Murphy’s youth insights; Raisbeck for NUFC loyalists. This global array underscores the Carabao Cup's prestige, drawing top talents worldwide.

As the second leg looms on 3 February[1], tonight's outcome could tilt the tie. Newcastle's home fortress, bolstered by recent PL form (LWWWD[1]), faces City's depth despite injuries[4]. Expect drama, goals, and post-match ITV/Sky breakdowns to dissect every moment.

For British audiences, the BBC-ITV-Sky trifecta dominates, with radio for multitasking fans. Secure your stream, grab the popcorn, and witness history at St James' Park.