How to watch Port Vale vs Sunderland: Live streams, TV coverage as Premier League opposition visit the Potteries in the FA Cup

Port Vale’s improbable FA Cup journey rolls on this evening when League One’s bottom club welcomes Premier League Sunderland to a frost-monitored Vale Park for a fifth-round tie that neither side knew would be staged in the Potteries until 48 hours before kick-off. A water-logged surface in Bristol forced the competition’s organisers to relocate the fixture, turning what had been an away trip for the Black Cats into a short hop to Staffordshire and giving the Valiants an unexpected home advantage in the last-16.

Jon Brady’s hosts arrive buoyed by the memory of Ben Waine’s extra-time winner against Bristol City, a result that sealed Port Vale’s first appearance in the fifth round since 1996 and maintained the competition’s tradition of lower-league upsets. The prize on offer tonight is a quarter-final berth and, more immediately, the chance to measure themselves against top-flight opposition for the first time this season.

Sunderland, managed by Regis Le Bris, have settled comfortably into mid-table after last season’s promotion and are expected to rotate without weakening their hand excessively. Captain Granit Xhaka’s return to fitness offers the French coach the option of reinforcing a midfield that saw off Oxford United in round four, while the visitors’ recent 2-1 victory at Leeds United pushed them past the 40-point mark and all but ended any relegation concerns.

For supporters, the match is the final FA Cup fixture to be carried live on TNT Sports before the broadcaster’s football portfolio transitions to HBO Max later this month. UK viewers can watch on TNT Sports 1 or stream via Discovery+, which is available as a standalone service at £30.99 per month and includes Champions League coverage. American audiences can follow the tie on ESPN Select, priced at $12.99 monthly or $129.99 annually, while Australian viewers can access the game through Stan Sport for AU$32 per month when bundled with the base Stan plan.

Geo-restricted subscribers travelling abroad can regain access through a reputable VPN, allowing them to appear in their home country and stream the match as normal.

Port Vale, eight points adrift of safety in League One with games in hand, have prioritised survival, yet the FA Cup has offered a welcome distraction and a rare opportunity to claim a Premier League scalp. Sunderland, by contrast, can play with freedom, knowing a quarter-final place would cap an already encouraging campaign. Expect a tight contest: Vale have already tasted extra-time success once this week; the visitors, fresher and deeper, may just edge it should the tie go the distance again.