Carabao Cup 2025-26: Full Draw, TV Guide & Key Dates

Carabao Cup 2025-26 kicks off its 65th edition with fresh storylines, packed stadiums and the priceless carrot of a Europa Conference League play-off spot for the eventual winners. From the preliminary round in early August to the Wembley showpiece next March, every tie will matter for clubs chasing silverware, revenue and bragging rights.

Carabao Cup 2025-26 first round draw

The opener is divided into North and South sections to cut travelling. Headline ties include Birmingham City welcoming recently relegated Sheffield United, Wrexham hosting Championship outfit Hull City and a tasty Midlands derby between West Brom and Derby County. Southern viewers can circle Coventry vs Luton and Watford vs Norwich, two fixtures that promise Premier League-level intensity despite their current leagues.

Northern section highlights

• Bolton Wanderers vs Sheffield Wednesday — a clash of big followings and proud histories.
• Huddersfield Town vs Leicester City — the 2021 FA Cup winners face a tricky trip to Yorkshire.
• Accrington/Oldham winner vs Peterborough — plucky League Two sides hunting a scalp.

Southern section highlights

• Plymouth Argyle vs QPR — both play expansive football; expect goals.
• Portsmouth vs Reading — Fratton Park on a weeknight never disappoints.
• Cardiff City vs Swindon Town — Bluebirds must beware a giant-killing.

Carabao Cup 2025-26 preliminary round

A pair of ties on 5 August whittle the field to a neat 70. Accrington host Oldham while Barnet meet Newport. Victory earns not just prize money but the glamour of a first-round TV slot.

Key dates in the Carabao Cup 2025-26 calendar

• Preliminary round: 4–5 August 2025
• First round: Week commencing 11 August 2025
• Second round: 25 August 2025
• Third round: 15 & 22 September 2025
• Fourth round: 27 October 2025
• Quarter-finals: 15 December 2025
• Semi-finals (two legs): 12 January & 2 February 2026
• Final: 25 March 2026

Carabao Cup 2025-26 on TV and streaming

The competition retains a strong footprint on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, Sky Sports will screen at least two live matches per round, with their new Sky Sports+ service offering additional streams and in-game highlights. U.S. audiences can watch every kick on CBS Sports’ channels and Paramount+, while selected fixtures also land on the free CBS Golazo Network.

How to watch in other regions

• Australia: beIN SPORTS
• Canada: DAZN
• Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Check local listings as rights may shift closer to kick-off.

Prize money and European carrot

While sums remain modest compared to the Premier League, each stage brings incremental bonuses—crucial for lower-league budgets. The winners bank around £100,000 from the EFL plus broadcast revenue, but the real jackpot is a Europa Conference League play-off berth, guaranteeing at least two continental fixtures and potential gate windfalls.

Road back to Wembley for defending champions

Newcastle United, fresh from ending their 69-year domestic trophy drought last season, re-enter in round two because of European commitments. Eddie Howe’s side edged Liverpool 2-1 in a pulsating 2025 final thanks to goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak. Whether the Magpies can repeat the trick amid Champions League distractions is a subplot to savour.

Clubs to watch in Carabao Cup 2025-26

Premier League outsiders

Brentford and Crystal Palace have shown cup pedigree in recent years; both possess squads deep enough to juggle competitions but hungry enough to treat the Cup seriously.

Promotion hopefuls

Leicester City and Southampton narrowly missed top-flight returns last term. A strong cup run could inject momentum—or cause fixture congestion headaches.

Lower-league dark horses

Wrexham’s Hollywood-backed project continues to gather pace. Throw in noisy neighbours Bolton, who reached the 2004 final, and the northern bracket looks stacked with narrative.

Historic context: how the EFL Cup has evolved

Launched in 1960 to exploit newly installed floodlights, the competition has morphed through sponsors—Milk, Coca-Cola, Worthington and now Carabao—but its essence remains midweek knockout drama. Since 2018, VAR has been used from the semi-final stage, while replays were scrapped years ago to ease congestion. This season, the EFL maintains single-leg ties up to the semi-finals, keeping shocks alive.

Matchday experience and ticket pricing

The EFL caps adult tickets at £25 for early rounds, encouraging sell-outs across community grounds. Family bundles and £1 kids’ tickets further boost atmosphere, an initiative the Premier League is studying for domestic cups.

Tips for streaming the Carabao Cup abroad

VPN usage continues to climb among travelling fans. Choose servers close to your preferred broadcaster, ensure minimum 25 Mbps speeds and enable 1080p for a buffer-free feed. Remember, local blackout rules still apply on UK Saturday 3 p.m. kick-offs.

Full list of Carabao Cup 2025-26 first-round fixtures

Northern draw (all ties 12 August)

Accrington/Oldham vs Peterborough • Barnsley vs Fleetwood • Barrow vs Preston • Birmingham vs Sheffield Utd • Blackburn vs Bradford • Blackpool vs Port Vale • Bolton vs Sheffield Wed • Chesterfield vs Mansfield • Grimsby vs Shrewsbury • Harrogate vs Lincoln • Huddersfield vs Leicester • Middlesbrough vs Doncaster • Salford vs Rotherham • Stockport vs Crewe • Stoke vs Walsall • Tranmere vs Burton • West Brom vs Derby • Wigan vs Notts County • Wrexham vs Hull.

Southern draw (all ties 12 August)

Barnet/Newport vs Millwall • Bristol City vs MK Dons • Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge • Bromley vs Ipswich • Cardiff vs Swindon • Charlton vs Stevenage • Cheltenham vs Exeter • Coventry vs Luton • Gillingham vs Wimbledon • Leyton Orient vs Wycombe • Northampton vs Southampton • Oxford vs Colchester • Plymouth vs QPR • Portsmouth vs Reading • Swansea vs Crawley • Watford vs Norwich.

What happens next?

Second-round entrants include the Premier League clubs not involved in Europe. That stage often delivers upsets—remember when Newport dumped Leicester in 2023? With one-leg ties and no extra-time until the semis, penalties loom large; practising spot-kicks from day one is non-negotiable.

Final thoughts

The Carabao Cup 2025-26 might not boast the riches of the Premier League, but its magic lies in Tuesday-night floodlights, young talents seizing a stage and fans dreaming of Wembley. Expect shocks, storylines and maybe, just maybe, another first-time winner.

Opinion: Early draw balance feels kinder to southern heavyweights, yet the northern bracket oozes romance. If Wrexham see off Hull, their route to round four opens up—and the TV cameras will love it. Don’t bet against another underdog stealing headlines before Christmas.