2025–26 EFL Cup
| Carabao Cup | |
|---|---|
Wembley Stadium will host the final in March | |
| Tournament details | |
| Country | England Wales |
| Dates | 29 July 2025 – 22 March 2026[1] |
| Teams | 92 |
| Defending champions | Newcastle United |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 76 |
| Goals scored | 207 (2.72 per match) |
| Attendance | 782,047 (10,290 per match) |
| Top goal scorer | Diego Gómez (5 goals) |
All statistics correct as of 13 August 2025. | |
The 2025–26 EFL Cup is the 66th and current season of the English Football League Cup. It is sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink and known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons. The EFL Cup is open to all clubs participating in the Premier League and the English Football League.
The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the 2026–27 UEFA Conference League.
Newcastle United are the defending champions, having beaten Liverpool in the previous season's final.
Teams
All 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League entered the season's EFL Cup. Access was distributed across the top four leagues of the English football league system.
There was a preliminary round before the first round proper due to the number of teams participating in Europe. This round consisted of the two newly promoted sides to 2025–26 League Two – Barnet and Oldham Athletic – and the two lowest finishers not relegated from 2024–25 League Two – Accrington Stanley and Newport County.[2]
| Phase[2] | Clubs entering in this round | Clubs advancing from previous round | Number of games | Week commencing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary round (4 clubs) |
|
|
2 | 4 August 2025 |
| First round (70 clubs) |
|
|
35 | 11 August 2025 |
| Second round (46 clubs) |
|
|
23 | 25 August 2025 |
| Third round (32 clubs) |
|
|
16 | 15 September 2025 22 September 2025 |
| Fourth round (16 clubs) |
— |
|
8 | 28 October 2025 |
| Quarter-finals (8 clubs) |
— |
|
4 | 15 December 2025 |
| Semi-finals (4 clubs) |
— |
|
4 (two-legged) | 12 January 2026 2 February 2026 |
| Final (2 clubs) |
— |
|
1 | 22 March 2026 |
Preliminary round
A total of four teams played in the preliminary round: two newly promoted sides from National League (tier 5), and two lowest non-relegated League Two sides (tier 4). The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections, where teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The draw was made on 26 June 2025 by Shay Given and John Barnes, together with the draw for the first round.[3]
| Premier League[a] | Championship[b] | League One[b] | League Two[c] | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20 / 20
|
24 / 24
|
24 / 24
|
24 / 24
|
92 / 92
|
Northern section
| 5 August 2025 | Accrington Stanley (4) | 3–1 | Oldham Athletic (4) | Accrington |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Crown Ground Attendance: 2,042 Referee: Scott Oldham |
Southern section
| 29 July 2025 | Barnet (4) | 2–2 (2–4 p) | Newport County (4) | Edgware |
| 19:30 BST | Report | Stadium: The Hive Stadium Attendance: 1,789 Referee: Darren Drysdale | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Garner Ca. Evans |
||||
First round
A total of 70 teams played in the first round: the two winners from the preliminary round, 20 from League Two (tier 4), 24 from League One (tier 3), and 24 from the Championship (tier 2). The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections, where teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The draw was made on 26 June 2025 by Shay Given and John Barnes, together with the draw for the preliminary round.[3]
| Premier League[a] | Championship | League One | League Two | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20 / 20
|
24 / 24
|
24 / 24
|
22 / 24
|
90 / 92
|
- ^ Premier League teams joined the competition in the second and third rounds.
Northern section
| 12 August 2025 | Barrow (4) | 0–1 | Preston North End (2) | Barrow-in-Furness |
| 19:30 BST | Report | Stadium: Holker Street Attendance: 3,108 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 12 August 2025 | Middlesbrough (2) | 0–4 | Doncaster Rovers (3) | Middlesbrough |
| 19:30 BST | Report | Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 11,979 Referee: Matthew Corlett |
| 12 August 2025 | Stockport County (3) | 3–1 | Crewe Alexandra (4) | Stockport |
| 19:30 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 4,945 Referee: Scott Jackson |
| 12 August 2025 | Accrington Stanley (4) | 2–1 | Peterborough United (3) | Accrington |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Crown Ground Attendance: 847 Referee: Aaron Bannister |
| 12 August 2025 | Blackburn Rovers (2) | 1–2 | Bradford City (3) | Blackburn |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 9,855 Referee: Anthony Backhouse |
| 12 August 2025 | Blackpool (3) | 0–1 | Port Vale (3) | Blackpool |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 2,606 Referee: Simon Mather |
| 12 August 2025 | Chesterfield (4) | 0–2 | Mansfield Town (3) | Chesterfield |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: SMH Group Stadium Attendance: 9,502 Referee: Adam Herczeg |
| 12 August 2025 | Grimsby Town (4) | 3–1 | Shrewsbury Town (4) | Cleethorpes |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 3,156 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
| 12 August 2025 | Harrogate Town (4) | 1–3 | Lincoln City (3) | Harrogate |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Wetherby Road Attendance: 2,119 Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle |
| 12 August 2025 | Salford City (4) | 0–0 (2–3 p) | Rotherham United (3) | Salford |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Moor Lane Attendance: 1,409 Referee: Edward Duckworth | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 12 August 2025 | Stoke City (2) | 0–0 (4–3 p) | Walsall (4) | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Bet365 Stadium Attendance: 8,809 Referee: James Bell | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 12 August 2025 | West Bromwich Albion (2) | 1–1 (2–3 p) | Derby County (2) | West Bromwich |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 8,548 Referee: Thomas Kirk |
| Penalties | ||||
| 12 August 2025 | Wigan Athletic (3) | 1–0 | Notts County (4) | Wigan |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Brick Community Stadium Attendance: 2,907 Referee: Ollie Yates |
| 12 August 2025 | Wrexham (2) | 3–3 (5–3 p) | Hull City (2) | Wrexham |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 10,106 Referee: Josh Smith | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 13 August 2025 | Barnsley (3) | 2–2 (5–4 p) | Fleetwood Town (4) | Barnsley |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 3,259 Referee: Carl Brook | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 13 August 2025 | Bolton Wanderers (3) | 3–3 (2–4 p) | Sheffield Wednesday (2) | Bolton |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium Attendance: 8,208 Referee: Oliver Langford | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 13 August 2025 | Huddersfield Town (3) | 2–2 (3–2 p) | Leicester City (2) | Huddersfield |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Kirklees Stadium Attendance: 6,884 Referee: David Webb | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 13 August 2025 | Birmingham City (2) | 2–1 | Sheffield United (2) | Birmingham |
| 20:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: St Andrew's Attendance: 16,357 Referee: Gavin Ward |
| 19 August 2025 | Tranmere Rovers (4) | 1–1 (4–5 p) | Burton Albion (3) | Birkenhead |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 3,524 Referee: Simon Mather |
| Penalties | ||||
| Note: Fixture was initially scheduled for 12 August, but was postponed due to power failure.[4] | ||||
Southern section
| 12 August 2025 | Swansea City (2) | 3–1 | Crawley Town (4) | Swansea |
| 19:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium Attendance: 5,095 Referee: Ben Speedie |
| 12 August 2025 | Newport County (4) | 0–1 | Millwall (2) | Newport |
| 19:30 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Rodney Parade Attendance: 3,670 Referee: Scott Oldham |
| 12 August 2025 | Bristol City (2) | 2–0 | Milton Keynes Dons (4) | Bristol |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 10,280 Referee: Bobby Madley |
| 12 August 2025 | Bristol Rovers (4) | 0–2 | Cambridge United (4) | Bristol |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,681 Referee: Oliver Mackey |
| 12 August 2025 | Cardiff City (3) | 2–1 | Swindon Town (4) | Cardiff |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 7,160 Referee: Elliot Bell |
| 12 August 2025 | Charlton Athletic (2) | 3–1 | Stevenage (3) | Charlton |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 4,092 Referee: Craig Hicks |
| 12 August 2025 | Coventry City (2) | 1–0 | Luton Town (3) | Coventry |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Coventry Building Society Arena Attendance: 10,595 Referee: Leigh Doughty |
| 12 August 2025 | Gillingham (4) | 1–1 (2–4 p) | AFC Wimbledon (3) | Gillingham |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 2,209 Referee: Neil Hair |
| Penalties | ||||
| 12 August 2025 | Leyton Orient (3) | 0–1 | Wycombe Wanderers (3) | Leyton |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 3,293 Referee: Tom Nield |
| 12 August 2025 | Northampton Town (3) | 0–1 | Southampton (2) | Northampton |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 4,381 Referee: David Rock |
| 12 August 2025 | Oxford United (2) | 1–0 | Colchester United (4) | Oxford |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Kassam Stadium Attendance: 3,453 Referee: Jacob Miles |
| 12 August 2025 | Plymouth Argyle (3) | 3–2 | Queens Park Rangers (2) | Plymouth |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 10,884 Referee: John Busby |
| 12 August 2025 | Portsmouth (2) | 1–2 | Reading (3) | Portsmouth |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 14,525 Referee: Farai Hallam |
| 12 August 2025 | Watford (2) | 1–2 | Norwich City (2) | Watford |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 9,243 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| 12 August 2025 | Bromley (4) | 1–1 (5–4 p) | Ipswich Town (2) | Bromley |
| 20:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Hayes Lane Attendance: 3,005 Referee: Matthew Russell |
| Penalties | ||||
| 13 August 2025 | Cheltenham Town (4) | 2–0 | Exeter City (3) | Cheltenham |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Whaddon Road Attendance: 2,109 Referee: Alan Young |
Second round
A total of 46 teams played in the second round: the 11 Premier League clubs not involved in European competitions entered at this stage, along with the 35 winners from the first round. The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections, where teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The draw was made on 13 August 2025 by Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Lee Hendrie and Clinton Morrison.[5]
| Premier League[a] | Championship | League One | League Two | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20 / 20
|
14 / 24
|
16 / 24
|
5 / 24
|
55 / 92
|
- ^ The nine Premier League teams involved in European competitions joined the competition in the third round.
Northern section
| 26 August 2025 | Accrington Stanley (4) | 0–2 | Doncaster Rovers (3) | Accrington |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Crown Ground Attendance: 1,270 Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle |
| 26 August 2025 | Barnsley (3) | 2–1 | Rotherham United (3) | Barnsley |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 5,803 Referee: Matthew Corlett |
| 26 August 2025 | Birmingham City (2) | 0–1 | Port Vale (3) | Birmingham |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: St Andrew's Attendance: 21,052 Referee: Ben Speedie |
| 26 August 2025 | Burnley (1) | 2–1 | Derby County (2) | Burnley |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 7,019 Referee: Andrew Kitchen |
| 26 August 2025 | Burton Albion (3) | 0–1 | Lincoln City (3) | Burton upon Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 1,837 Referee: Oliver Mackey |
| 26 August 2025 | Preston North End (2) | 2–3 | Wrexham (2) | Preston |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 12,350 Referee: Adam Herczeg |
| 26 August 2025 | Stoke City (2) | 0–3 | Bradford City (3) | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Bet365 Stadium Attendance: 9,947 Referee: Leigh Doughty |
| 26 August 2025 | Sunderland (1) | 1–1 (5–6 p) | Huddersfield Town (3) | Sunderland |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stadium of Light Attendance: 22,249 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| Penalties | ||||
| 26 August 2025 | Wigan Athletic (3) | 1–0 | Stockport County (3) | Wigan |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Brick Community Stadium Attendance: 3,119 Referee: Tom Reeves |
| 26 August 2025 | Sheffield Wednesday (2) | 1–1 (3–0 p) | Leeds United (1) | Sheffield |
| 20:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 7,801 Referee: Robert Jones |
| Penalties | ||||
| 27 August 2025 | Everton (1) | 2–0 | Mansfield Town (3) | Liverpool |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Hill Dickinson Stadium Attendance: 48,583 Referee: Thomas Bramall |
| 27 August 2025 | Grimsby Town (4) | 2–2 (12–11 p) | Manchester United (1) | Cleethorpes |
| 20:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 8,647 Referee: Tony Harrington | ||
| Penalties | ||||
Southern section
| 26 August 2025 | Reading (3) | 2–1 | AFC Wimbledon (3) | Reading |
| 19:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Madejski Stadium Attendance: 3,860 Referee: Jacob Miles |
| 26 August 2025 | Cambridge United (4) | 3–1 | Charlton Athletic (2) | Cambridge |
| 19:30 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 3,231 Referee: David Rock |
| 26 August 2025 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) | 3–2 | West Ham United (1) | Wolverhampton |
| 19:30 BST | Report | Stadium: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 19,561 Referee: Darren England |
| 26 August 2025 | Bournemouth (1) | 0–2 | Brentford (1) | Bournemouth |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 10,499 Referee: Michael Salisbury |
| 26 August 2025 | Bromley (4) | 1–1 (4–5 p) | Wycombe Wanderers (3) | Bromley |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Hayes Lane Attendance: 2,310 Referee: Thomas Parsons |
| Penalties | ||||
|
||||
| 26 August 2025 | Cardiff City (3) | 3–0 | Cheltenham Town (4) | Cardiff |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 6,233 Referee: Edward Duckworth |
| 26 August 2025 | Millwall (2) | 2–1 | Coventry City (2) | Bermondsey |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: The Den Attendance: 7,048 Referee: Stephen Martin |
| 26 August 2025 | Norwich City (2) | 0–3 | Southampton (2) | Norwich |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 17,351 Referee: Tom Nield |
| 26 August 2025 | Swansea City (2) | 1–1 (5–3 p) | Plymouth Argyle (3) | Swansea |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium Attendance: 7,279 Referee: Elliott Bell |
| Penalties | ||||
| 27 August 2025 | Fulham (1) | 2–0 | Bristol City (2) | Fulham |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 11,749 Referee: Lewis Smith |
| 27 August 2025 | Oxford United (2) | 0–6 | Brighton & Hove Albion (1) | Oxford |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Kassam Stadium Attendance: 9,010 Referee: Oliver Langford |
Third round
A total of 32 teams played in the third round: the nine Premier League clubs involved in European competitions (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur) entered at this stage along with the 23 winners from the second round. The draw was made on 27 August 2025 by Jobi McAnuff and Phil Jones, where conditions were implemented to ensure clubs participating in the UEFA Champions League did not draw clubs participating in the UEFA Europa League due to fixture clashes.[6]
| Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15 / 20
|
5 / 24
|
10 / 24
|
2 / 24
|
32 / 92
|
| 16 September 2025 | Sheffield Wednesday (2) | 0–1 | Grimsby Town (4) | Sheffield |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 9,424 Referee: Elliott Bell |
| 16 September 2025 | Brentford (1) | 1–1 (4–2 p) | Aston Villa (1) | Brentford |
| 20:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Brentford Community Stadium Attendance: 15,895 Referee: John Brooks |
| Penalties | ||||
| 16 September 2025 | Crystal Palace (1) | 1–1 (4–2 p) | Millwall (2) | Selhurst |
| 20:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 16,754 Referee: John Busby |
| Penalties | ||||
| 17 September 2025 | Swansea City (2) | 3–2 | Nottingham Forest (1) | Swansea |
| 20:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium Attendance: 11,354 Referee: Bobby Madley |
| 23 September 2025 | Barnsley (3) | 0–6 | Brighton & Hove Albion (1) | Barnsley |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 7,790 Referee: Tom Reeves |
| 23 September 2025 | Burnley (1) | 1–2 | Cardiff City (3) | Burnley |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 6,010 Referee: David Webb |
| 23 September 2025 | Fulham (1) | 1–0 | Cambridge United (4) | Fulham |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 16,254 Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo |
| 23 September 2025 | Lincoln City (3) | 1–2 | Chelsea (1) | Lincoln |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 10,214 Referee: Matt Donohue |
| 23 September 2025 | Wigan Athletic (3) | 0–2 | Wycombe Wanderers (3) | Wigan |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Brick Community Stadium Attendance: 2,077 Referee: Edward Duckworth |
| 23 September 2025 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) | 2–0 | Everton (1) | Wolverhampton |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 18,758 Referee: Craig Pawson |
| 23 September 2025 | Wrexham (2) | 2–0 | Reading (3) | Wrexham |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 9,457 Referee: Simon Mather |
| 23 September 2025 | Liverpool (1) | 2–1 | Southampton (2) | Liverpool |
| 20:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 59,518 Referee: Thomas Bramall |
| 24 September 2025 | Huddersfield Town (3) | 0–2 | Manchester City (1) | Huddersfield |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Kirklees Stadium Attendance: 22,052 Referee: Michael Salisbury |
| 24 September 2025 | Newcastle United (1) | 4–1 | Bradford City (3) | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 51,249 Referee: Thomas Kirk |
| 24 September 2025 | Tottenham Hotspur (1) | 3–0 | Doncaster Rovers (3) | Tottenham |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Attendance: 42,473 Referee: Andrew Madley |
| 24 September 2025 | Port Vale (3) | 0–2 | Arsenal (1) | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 20:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 16,326 Referee: Andrew Kitchen |
Fourth round
The 16 winners from the third round played in the fourth round. League Two side Grimsby Town were the lowest-ranked team in the draw, which was made on 24 September 2025 by Jamie Redknapp and Michael Brown.[7]
| Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11 / 20
|
2 / 24
|
2 / 24
|
1 / 24
|
16 / 92
|
| 28 October 2025 | Grimsby Town (4) | 0–5 | Brentford (1) | Cleethorpes |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 8,637 Referee: Thomas Kirk |
| 28 October 2025 | Wycombe Wanderers (3) | 1–1 (4–5 p) | Fulham (1) | High Wycombe |
| 19:45 GMT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 9,709 Referee: Bobby Madley |
| Penalties | ||||
| 28 October 2025 | Wrexham (2) | 1–2 | Cardiff City (3) | Wrexham |
| 20:00 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 10,563 Referee: Gavin Ward |
| 29 October 2025 | Arsenal (1) | 2–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion (1) | Holloway |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: Emirates Stadium Attendance: 59,292 Referee: Sam Barrott |
| 29 October 2025 | Liverpool (1) | 0–3 | Crystal Palace (1) | Liverpool |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 60,420 Referee: Craig Pawson |
| 29 October 2025 | Swansea City (2) | 1–3 | Manchester City (1) | Swansea |
| 19:45 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium Attendance: 20,490 Referee: Jarred Gillett |
| 29 October 2025 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) | 3–4 | Chelsea (1) | Wolverhampton |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 24,449 Referee: Thomas Bramall |
| 29 October 2025 | Newcastle United (1) | 2–0 | Tottenham Hotspur (1) | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 20:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 51,216 Referee: Chris Kavanagh |
Quarter-finals
The eight winners from the fourth round will play in the quarter-finals. League One side Cardiff City were the lowest-ranked team in the draw, which was made on 29 October 2025 by Jobi McAnuff and Jamie Redknapp.[8]
| Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7 / 20
|
0 / 24
|
1 / 24
|
0 / 24
|
8 / 92
|
| 16 December 2025 | Cardiff City (3) | 1–3 | Chelsea (1) | Cardiff |
| 20:00 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 33,027 Referee: Tony Harrington |
| 17 December 2025 | Manchester City (1) | 2–0 | Brentford (1) | Manchester |
| 19:30 GMT | Report | Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium Referee: Sam Barrott |
| 17 December 2025 | Newcastle United (1) | 2–1 | Fulham (1) | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 20:15 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 51,301 Referee: Darren England |
| 23 December 2025 | Arsenal (1) | v | Crystal Palace (1) | Holloway |
| 20:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Emirates Stadium Referee: Stuart Attwell |
Semi-finals
The four winners from the quarter-finals will play in the semi-finals. The draw was made on 17 December 2025 by Jamie Redknapp and Shay Given.[9]
| Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4 / 20
|
0 / 24
|
0 / 24
|
0 / 24
|
4 / 92
|
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea (1) | – | Arsenal (1) or Crystal Palace (1) | – | – |
| Newcastle United (1) | – | Manchester City (1) | – | – |
| Chelsea (1) | v | Arsenal (1) or Crystal Palace (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
| Arsenal (1) or Crystal Palace (1) | v | Chelsea (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Top goalscorers
- As of 28 October 2025
| Rank[10] | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Gómez | Brighton & Hove Albion | 5 |
| 2 | 22 players | 2 | |
References
- ^ "Carabao Cup format confirmed for 2025/26 season". English Football League. 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b Holloway, Kate (12 June 2025). "Carabao Cup brings in preliminary round for 2025-26". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025.
- ^ Wareing, Dan (12 August 2025). "Hundreds left without power as cup tie postponed". BBC News. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ "Carabao Cup Round Two Confirmed". English Football League. 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Carabao Cup Round Three draw confirmed". English Football League. 27 August 2025.
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- ^ "Carabao Cup Quarter-Final draw confirmed". English Football League. 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Carabao Cup Semi-Final draw revealed". English Football League. 17 December 2025.
- ^ "English League Cup 2025/2026: Top Scorer". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 24 September 2025.