The Carabao Cup first round draw has been completed, setting the stage for the 2026/27 season. The draw took place on June 10, 2026, at 4:30 PM BST on Sky Sports News, as part of EFL's Fixture Release Day. A total of 70 teams will compete in the first round, including winners from two preliminary round matches.
Key Dates for the 2026/27 Carabao Cup
The first round is scheduled for the weekend of August 7-9, 2026, serving as the season's opening weekend, one week before the EFL season begins. Subsequent rounds follow: Round Two (w/c August 24), Round Three (w/c September 7 and 14), Round Four (w/c October 26), Round Five (w/c December 14), semi-final first leg (w/c January 11, 2027), semi-final second leg (w/c February 1, 2027), and the final on Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Preliminary Round Results
Before the main draw, two preliminary round matches were confirmed: Tranmere Rovers will face Rochdale on August 1, 2026, and Crawley Town will play York City on August 3, 2026. The winners of these ties will join the other 68 teams in the first round. According to the EFL, the preliminary round is necessary because nine Premier League teams are involved in European competitions, requiring an adjustment to the tournament structure.
Background and Context
The Carabao Cup, also known as the EFL Cup, is a knockout competition featuring teams from the Premier League and English Football League. The draw was made while the World Cup is ongoing, but attention is now shifting to the domestic season. Last season's final saw Manchester City defeat Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley, with goals from Nico O'Reilly. The upcoming season promises new challenges as teams like West Ham and Wolves, who were relegated to the Championship, will be participating in the first round.
