The Carabao Cup third round draw date and time are yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to take place following the conclusion of Preston vs Everton, which kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Which teams enter the third round?
Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool enter the competition at this stage due to their European commitments. Chelsea and Tottenham, meanwhile, face second-round ties this week to earn their place in the next stages.
The third round will be played across two midweeks, as teams in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League juggle their match schedules. Those European participants will not face each other in the third round.
How to watch the draw
The Carabao Cup third-round draw will be shown live on Sky Sports. Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the draw live online via the Sky Go app. A live blog will be available through Standard Sport.
Further details on the presenters and guests conducting the draw will be announced closer to the time.
Ball numbers and tie dates
Ball numbers for the third-round draw will be confirmed on the morning of the draw. The 32 clubs in the draw will include the 23 winners from the second round, along with the nine Premier League teams competing in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League this season.
The third-round matches are scheduled to take place across back-to-back weeks, from September 7 and then September 14. The ties will be played as single-leg fixtures, with the winners progressing to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
