Carabao Cup 2025/26 round dates, schedule, results for each phase of English football tournament

The English Football League Cup, known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is considered one of the major trophies in the English season.

Although lacking the prestige of the FA Cup and Premier League, the Carabao Cup is nonetheless a valued piece of silverware and a potential route into European football for the winners.

If not already qualified via other means, the Carabao Cup title winner earns a berth into the UEFA Conference League.

While the competition has been considered of secondary importance to some of the biggest sides over the years, it has taken on more prominence over the past two decades. Indeed, Birmingham City, Swansea City and Newcastle United — who triumphed in 2025 — are the only teams outside the Premier League's so-called "big six" to have won the EFL Cup since 2004.

Below, The Sporting News looks over the key dates for the 2025/26 tournament and lists the results and complete schedule.

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Carabao Cup 2025/26 round dates

The EFL Cup (Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons) features all 92 participating clubs from the top four tiers of English football: Premier League (20 clubs), Championship (24 clubs), League One (24), and League Two (24).

The Premier League clubs not involved in European cup competitions joined in the second round, and the remaining sides compete from the third round.

• First Round: Week commencing August 11, 2025
• Second Round: W/C August 25, 2025
• Third Round (Rd of 32): W/C September 15 and September 22, 2025
• Fourth Round (Rd of 16): W/C October 27, 2025
• Quarterfinals: W/C December 15, 2025
• Semifinals first legs: W/C January 12, 2026
• Semifinal second legs: W/C February 2, 2026
• Final: March 22, 2026

Every round is single-elimination except for the semifinals, which are played over two legs. There is no extra time up to and including the quarterfinals, with matches going straight to penalties if the score is level after 90 minutes.

However, extra time will be in effect for the semifinal second legs (no away goals tiebreaker) and the final, if necessary.

MORE: Is there VAR in the Carabao Cup? | Is there extra-time in the Carabao Cup?

Carabao Cup 2025/26 schedule, results

Below is a list of results from the early rounds and the schedule for round three and beyond of the Carabao Cup. The Sporting News will update this section as matches are played.

Carabao Cup third round draw, schedule 2025/26

Below is the complete draw and results for third-round matches, which take place in the weeks beginning September 15 and September 22.

Carabao Cup second round results 2025/26

The Premier League clubs not competing in European competition this season entered the Carabao Cup at the second round. Below is the complete draw and results from those games.