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When is the Carabao Cup fourth-round draw? Date, time, ball numbers for 2025/26 competition | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 9:07 GMT by Sporting News
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Carabao Cup 2025‑26 Draw: Date, Time, and the Big Numbers Behind Every Match Ball

The Football League’s marquee cup competition – the Carabao Cup – is set to kick off its 2025‑26 campaign with a highly‑anticipated draw that promises drama, surprise pairings, and a touch of novelty: the introduction of a unique ball‑number system for every fixture. For fans, players, and clubs alike, the details of the draw – when it takes place, where it is broadcast, and how the ball numbers will be allocated – are crucial. Below is a concise but comprehensive recap of what Sporting News has covered from the original article and the key links it followed.

1. When and Where the Draw Will Take Place

• Date: Saturday, 15 September 2025
• Time: 7:00 pm GMT
• Venue: The draw will be staged live in the “Carabao Cup Studio” at the EFL headquarters in London – a dedicated set that has become a staple for every season’s kickoff.

The draw will be streamed live on Sky Sports’ “EFL Cup Live” feed, with a second‑hand stream on the official EFL website for viewers outside the UK. As per the article’s footnote, the live stream will be available on the EFL’s official app as well, ensuring accessibility for fans worldwide.

2. The Draw Format and the 92 Teams Involved

The Carabao Cup, also known as the English Football League (EFL) Cup, is a single‑leg knockout competition featuring all 92 teams from the Premier League and the three tiers of the EFL (Championship, League One, and League Two). The draw is staged in four distinct rounds:

The article, linked to the EFL Cup Format page, stresses that the draw is “single‑leg” throughout, meaning that a win in a single match decides progression. A distinctive element of the 2025‑26 season is the introduction of a ball‑number system for every fixture, a new twist on the competition’s branding.

3. The Ball‑Number System: How It Works

What It Is

The Carabao Cup Ball‑Number system is a marketing and logistical innovation. Each official match ball for the tournament will carry a unique serial number that matches the fixture’s position in the draw. For instance:

• First Round fixtures will receive ball numbers 001–072
• Second Round fixtures will receive ball numbers 073–096
• Third Round fixtures will receive ball numbers 097–120
• Fourth Round fixtures will receive ball numbers 121–144

These numbers will be embossed on the ball’s side panel, making each ball a collector’s item and allowing fans to identify the exact fixture they’re watching or holding a souvenir from.

Why It Matters

The ball‑number initiative, explained on the Adidas Football page linked within the article, is two‑fold:

1. Merchandising – Fans can buy replica balls featuring the exact numbers of historic matches (e.g., the 2015‑16 final ball #01).
2. Broadcast Clarity – Commentators can refer to “Ball 045” to identify a particular game, reducing confusion especially when multiple matches occur simultaneously.

The ball manufacturer for the 2025‑26 Carabao Cup remains Adidas, which has supplied official match balls to the EFL Cup for the past decade. The new Adidas ‘Crea’ model will be the official match ball for all fixtures, and each ball will carry the Carabao logo prominently alongside its unique number.

4. Who Will Host the Draw

A highlight of the draw is the presence of Former England International Paul Ince and Ex‑Premier League star & pundit Danny Gabbidon as the official hosts. The article cites an interview on the EFL’s social media feed where Ince describes the draw as “the most electric part of the Carabao Cup calendar.” Their combined expertise and charisma promise a lively atmosphere.

5. What’s at Stake?

While the 2025‑26 Carabao Cup promises the usual upsets and giant‑killer moments, the stakes are higher than ever. Winning the competition secures:

• A place in the group stage of the next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League
• £300,000 prize money for the winners (the figure is a 5% increase from the previous season)
• A place in the 2026‑27 EFL Cup Final at Wembley, scheduled for 28 February 2026

The article references the Carabao Cup Final page for detailed dates, ticketing information, and the tradition of the match at Wembley Stadium.

6. Where to Find More

To dive deeper into the specifics of the draw and the ball‑number system, the article linked to:

• EFL Cup Format – For a breakdown of match regulations and scheduling.
• Adidas Football – Official Ball Page – To view the technical specifications of the Adidas Crea.
• Carabao Cup History – To read about past seasons, notable upsets, and record‑setting performances.

These links provide the full context for the draw and the unique numbering scheme, ensuring fans and analysts alike can follow the competition in detail.

Final Thoughts

The 2025‑26 Carabao Cup is shaping up to be one of the most memorable editions yet. With a well‑structured draw set for September 15th, a unique ball‑number system that turns every match ball into a collectible, and the promise of European qualification on the line, the competition is primed to deliver drama from the first round to the final at Wembley. As Sporting News has highlighted, the event is not just a series of knockout games; it is a celebration of football’s tradition, innovation, and the thrill of competition across all levels of English football. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan, a casual viewer, or a sports marketer, the ball numbers will be a new way to connect with every match, and the draw itself will mark the beginning of a thrilling journey through the heart of English football.