The EFL and Carabao Cup are set for a major overhaul as the 2026/27 season fixtures are released on Thursday at 12pm. The Carabao Cup first round will be held before the regular league campaign begins, marking a rare scheduling shift in English football.
Key Schedule Changes
The domestic calendar has been pushed back due to the World Cup final on July 19, prompting the early cup start to ease fixture congestion. The Carabao Cup first round is scheduled for the weekend of August 7 to August 9, with the Sky Bet EFL season kicking off the following week from August 14 to August 16.
Preliminary Round Introduced
A special Carabao Cup preliminary round was drawn in June, featuring York City, Crawley Town, Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale. This extra stage is necessary because nine Premier League clubs have qualified for European competition, receiving a bye to the third round. The preliminary ties ensure that exactly 32 teams remain in the competition after the first round.
Historical Context
This scheduling quirk was last used during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the EFL, starting the cup before the league helps manage fixture congestion while allowing international players adequate rest after the World Cup.
