ESPN & Budwiser Benefit From F.A Cup Third Round Fever

Sports channel Espn & beer brand Budweiser have been the major beneficiaries on a frantic weekend of third round FA Cup action. The American based sports channel, who have held broadcasting rights to the competition since 2010, have been busy promoting live match broadcasts through a tie up with the competitions primary sponsor Budweiser.

This has come primarily through the dual campaign titled "Here's To The Dream" which focus on fans personal tales of the oldest cup competition in the world. All of which can be seen in a nice YouTube video below. Broadcasts have also been promoted heavily on Twitter using the hash-tag #ToTheDream as the main point of contact for fans.

Fans also have the chance to vote live during the game for the Budweiser Man Of The Match prize online or via the special ESPN app. Along with this fans have also been encouraged to vote for their special FA cup moment via a special poll on the ESPN website, with the final results announced on cup final day.

Luton Town Celebrate the scalp of Wolves

For Budweiser this is the second year of sponsoring England's biggest domestic sporting tournament, and indicates the brand strengthing of ties with football, last year they launched their own branded  YouTube channel focusing on content on the FA Cup & the brands sponsorship with ill fated side Wembley F.C which brought in the likes of former stars such as Brian McBride, Martin Keown & Ray Parlour, only for the North London side to be dumped out in a pre qualifying match for the tournament against Uxbridge.

On the pitch and a number of upsets have taken place, with Blue Square Premier sides Luton Town & Macclesfield killing the "giants" of the Championship in Cardiff City & Wolverhampton Wanders. With the Luton victory the final nail in the coffin for Wolves manager Stale Solbakken. Other 'shocks' included  Premier League sides Sunderland & Fulham drawing with Bolton & Blackpool respectively. The round concludes on Monday evening when Cheltenham take on inform Everton, which is live on ESPN.