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Carabao Cup 2025-26: Full Calendar and Key Dates

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 9:58 GMT by Sporting News

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Carabao Cup 2025‑26: A Complete Overview of Dates, Schedule, and Early Results

The 2025‑26 Carabao Cup—officially the EFL Cup—has been unveiled in a comprehensive Sporting News feature that takes readers from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. The article, published on 18 May 2025, details the full calendar of the competition, the participating clubs, the draw mechanics, and the very first set of match results. Below is a distilled summary of everything you need to know to keep up with England’s beloved knockout cup.

1. Competition Structure & Key Dates

Number of Teams & Entry Points

• 92 clubs participate, spanning the Premier League, the Championship, League One, and League Two.
• Premier League clubs involved in European competitions (UEFA Champions League or Europa League) enter at the third round; the remaining 20 Premier League teams join at the second round.
• All other clubs begin at the first round.

Calendar Overview

The Sporting News piece notes that the league schedule has been adjusted slightly to accommodate the international break in October and the busy winter fixture congestion, ensuring clubs are not overloaded.

2. The Draw Process

The article breaks down the draw methodology for each round. The first‑round draw is conducted via a live Twitter stream, with club representatives invited to join in person at the EFL headquarters in London. Subsequent draws—second, third, and fourth rounds—are held in a more controlled setting, often at the clubs’ home stadiums. Each draw follows a traditional “draw from a bag” format, with a special “Carabao Cup” themed ball.

The article highlights a few notable tie‑ups that generated buzz:

• Second‑Round Shock: Wolverhampton Wanderers face the newly promoted Norwich City in a high‑profile fixture that many pundits feared might tilt in favour of the under‑dogs.
• Third‑Round Clash: Manchester United are drawn against Brighton & Hove Albion, an exciting Premier League‑in‑European competition meeting that underscores the “giant‑killer” allure of the cup.

The Sporting News page links to a dedicated “Draws” sub‑section where readers can view the full list of matchups and the live‑broadcast video footage of each draw event.

3. Early Results Snapshot

Although the Carabao Cup is still in its infancy, the article covers the first handful of matches, including:

The article links to each match’s full recap page, which includes minute‑by‑minute commentary, player statistics, and post‑match interviews. Readers can also navigate to each club’s own page on Sporting News to find deeper insights, squad news, and injury updates.

4. Behind‑the‑Scenes Features

The feature is richer than a simple fixture list; it delves into some behind‑the‑scenes elements:

• Carabao’s Sponsorship Story – A short documentary‑style segment that explains how the energy‑drink brand has become synonymous with the cup, featuring interviews with EFL executives and Carabao representatives.
• Impact on Lower‑Tier Clubs – An analysis of how a deep cup run can transform a club’s finances and fan engagement. The article cites examples from the 2023‑24 edition, where a League Two side reached the quarter‑finals, generating record‑breaking gate receipts.
• Digital Integration – An exploration of the EFL’s partnership with digital platforms, offering live streaming of matches on the “EFL TV” app. The article includes a tutorial on how to navigate the app, find highlights, and participate in live polls.

Each of these segments is linked to separate sub‑articles within Sporting News. For instance, clicking on the “Carabao Story” leads to a full‑length video that takes 10 minutes to watch, while the “Digital Integration” links to an interactive guide with embedded QR codes that unlock special content on the app.

5. How to Stay Updated

The Sporting News article concludes with practical advice for fans who want to keep a finger on the pulse of the 2025‑26 Carabao Cup:

• Follow the EFL on Twitter for real‑time match updates and draw announcements.
• Subscribe to the EFL newsletter to receive weekly digests of all cup fixtures.
• Download the EFL Mobile App for live commentary, injury updates, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes footage.
• Join the Carabao Cup community forum on Sporting News to discuss predictions, pick winners, and connect with fellow supporters.

The article also includes a handy “Calendar” widget that lets readers add all match dates directly to their Google Calendar or iOS/Android devices.

Bottom Line

The Sporting News feature on the Carabao Cup 2025‑26 is a comprehensive, fan‑friendly guide that covers every aspect of the competition—from the broad calendar and entry rules to the first handful of thrilling match results and behind‑the‑scenes insights. Whether you’re a casual follower or a die‑hard football enthusiast, the article’s wealth of links and multimedia content ensures you won’t miss a beat. Stay tuned to the next round draws and early results; the cup’s excitement is only just getting started.