Carabao Cup Draw 2025‑26: What You Need to Know

The Carabao Cup—England’s elite league cup competition—has entered its 65th season with a notable twist: a preliminary round has been reintroduced. The eagerly awaited draw, held on June 26, 2025, at 4:30 pm BST, charts the course for over 90 clubs from across the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL), building anticipation ahead of the season's kick-off.

⚙️ Format Shake-up: Preliminary Round Returns

For the first time since 2011–12, the competition kicks off with a four‑team preliminary round, reflecting the growing pressure on the calendar as nine Premier League sides are involved in European competitions next season.

• Entrants: Barnet, Oldham Athletic, Accrington Stanley, Newport County

• Objective: Reduce the field before the main draw

• Regional split: North and South for fair travel

• Timing: Scheduled for the week of August 4, 2025

This change aligns with the structure of the EFL Cup and ensures all clubs can be accommodated in later rounds.

🗓️ First Round Draw: Regional Division Takes Shape

Following the preliminary games, 70 clubs enter Round One during the week commencing August 11:

• North Section: 38 clubs (EFL sides + preliminary winners)

• South Section: 32 clubs (same structure)

This regional approach eases logistical burdens and fuels local rivalries early.

📅 Key Dates for the 2025–26 Carabao Cup

The three-week gap before the final enhances its prestige by distancing it from European fixtures.

🏆 Structure & Prizes

The Carabao Cup is open to all 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League, with later rounds welcoming European-qualifying Premier League teams via byes to the Third Round. Though earnings—up to £100,000 for the winners—are modest compared to other competitions, the trophy carries prestige and a European place qualification.

🎥 How to Watch & Engage

• Draw broadcast: Sky Sports News and its YouTube channel featured the live first-round draw

• Match coverage: From Round One onward, games will air across Sky Sports and ITV with streaming via Sky Go and ITVX

• Highlights: Available through the Carabao Cup's official channels and media platforms like BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT

🔍 What Matters for Clubs

1. Fixture Congestion: The format tweak helps clubs balance domestic and Europe commitments

2. Regional Draws: Lower-league teams face less early travel burden

3. Big Team Impact: Premier League sides join later, preserving big clashes

4. Fixture Planning: Clubs can carve out Carabao Cup runs by managing early-round matchups

🔥 The Road to Wembley

The Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026, is the first domestic trophy of the year and a major ambitions target for many clubs. With Newcastle United as defending champions, the competition sets the stage for landmark cup runs, whether from Premier League giants or determined underdogs from League One and Two.