Carabao Cup 2025/26 First Round Draw Announced
The draw for the first round of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup has been revealed, setting the stage for an exciting start to the competition. Championship sides Birmingham City and Sheffield United will face off in a highly anticipated northern section clash at St Andrew's. Meanwhile, in the southern section, League Two’s Bromley will host Championship team Ipswich Town, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.
This year’s tournament features a preliminary round to accommodate the increased number of Premier League teams involved in European competitions. Preliminary-round fixtures include Barnet hosting Newport County and Oldham Athletic traveling to Accrington Stanley. These matches are scheduled for the week beginning August 4, with the first-round ties set to take place the following week, starting August 11.
The Carabao Cup remains regionalised until the third round, with 11 Premier League teams not participating in Europe entering in the second round. The nine Premier League clubs involved in European competitions—Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United (defending Carabao Cup champions), Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest—will join in the third round.
Key Fixtures in the Southern Section
- Coventry City vs Luton Town
- Bristol City vs MK Dons
- Bromley vs Ipswich Town
- Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United
- Leyton Orient vs Wycombe Wanderers
Key Fixtures in the Northern Section
- Barrow vs Preston North End
- Grimsby Town vs Shrewsbury Town
- Blackpool vs Port Vale
- Huddersfield Town vs Leicester City
- Birmingham City vs Sheffield United
All 35 first-round matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, ensuring fans don’t miss any of the action. The competition will progress through the rounds, culminating in the final on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
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