Try telling Newcastle United about the supposed insignificance of the Carabao Cup, after the Magpies ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy in March.
Increased calendar congestion means this competition has often been treated by managers as a chance to offer run-outs to fringe players and burgeoning starlets. Those who treat the League Cup with the respect it deserves give themselves the best chance of a grand Wembley day out.
It doesn‘t boast the FA Cup’s history, the allure of continental success, nor the riches that come with merely competing in the Premier League, but this trophy is always the first on offer in the English calendar. It has its own heritage and prestige, too.
In 2025–26, the competition started as early as late July thanks to the introduction of a preliminary round, and 92 clubs are vying to play under the arch in March.
Here’s a complete overview of the 2025–26 Carabao Cup.
Carabao Cup 2025–26 Preliminary Round Results
Northern Section
Southern Section
Carabao Cup 2025–26 First Round Results
Northern Section
Southern Section
Carabao Cup 2025–26 Second Round Fixtures
Northern Section
Southern Section
When is the 2026 Carabao Cup Final?
This season’s Carabao Cup final will be held at Wembley Stadium on 22 March, 2026.
Wembley has held the showpiece event of this competition every year since 2008, and we were treated to a significant occasion in 2025 as Newcastle beat favourites Liverpool 2–1 to end their 70-year major domestic trophy drought.
Who is the Most Successful Team in Carabao Cup History?
Newcastle became the 24th different club to win the League Cup earlier this year, with half of the competition’s winners only prevailing once.
No team has had more success than ten-time winners Liverpool, who were the holders entering 2024–25 after they beat Chelsea in the 2024 final, their fifth League Cup trophy lift of the 21st century.
Manchester City once monopolised this competition, with the strength in depth at Pep Guardiola’s disposal allowing them to coast through the early rounds before the big boys returned for crunch time in the new year. The Cityzens are eight-time winners, with Guardiola overseeing half of those triumphs.
Manchester United have lifted the League Cup six times, while Aston Villa and Chelsea have each prevailed on five occasions.
READ THE LATEST SOCCER NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MATCH REACTION
This article was originally published on www.si.com as 2025–26 Carabao Cup: Draw, Fixtures, Results and Guide to Each Round.