By The EFL Cup 2025, officially known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is one of England’s premier knockout football competitions. It involves all 92 clubs from the Premier League and the English Football League (Championship, League One, and League Two).
The tournament is not only a chance for silverware but also a gateway into European football, with the winner earning a spot in the UEFA Conference League play-off round.
Tournament Overview
- Season: 2025–26 (65th edition)
- Defending Champions: Newcastle United (won their first-ever EFL Cup in March 2025 by defeating Liverpool 2–1 at Wembley)
- Number of Teams: 92
- European Qualification: Winners qualify for the 2026–27 UEFA Conference League play-off round
- Final Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Sponsorship Name: Carabao Cup
- Tournament Format
The EFL Cup follows a knockout format with one-legged ties (except for the semi-finals).
- Preliminary Round → For the two newly promoted League Two clubs + the two lowest-ranked non-relegated League Two clubs.
- First Round → Majority of EFL teams enter.
- Second Round → Premier League clubs not in Europe enter.
- Third Round → Premier League clubs playing in Europe join.
- Semi-finals → Played over two legs (home & away).
- Final → One-off match at Wembley.
- Round Structure
| Round | Teams Entering | No. of Matches | Scheduled Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | 2 promoted League Two + 2 lowest League Two | 2 | 4 August 2025 |
| First Round | 20 League Two + 24 League One + 24 Championship + 2 preliminary winners | 35 | Week of 11 August 2025 |
| Second Round | 11 Premier League (not in Europe) + 35 First Round winners | 23 | Week of 25 August 2025 |
| Third Round | 9 Premier League (in Europe) + 23 Second Round winners | 16 | 15 & 22 September 2025 |
| Fourth Round | 16 winners | 8 | 27 October 2025 |
| Quarter-finals | 8 winners | 4 | 15 December 2025 |
| Semi-finals | 4 winners (two-legged ties) | 2 ties | 12 January & 2 February 2026 |
| Final | 2 winners | 1 | 22 March 2026 |
TV Coverage
- Sky Sports → Main broadcaster with exclusive rights to most games.
- ITV (Free-to-Air) → Select live matches including high-profile second-round ties, semi-finals, and the final.
Examples of TV Picks 2025:
- Grimsby Town vs Manchester United (ITV & Sky Sports)
- Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United (Sky Sports)
Key Highlights of EFL Cup 2025
- Newcastle United are the defending champions, having lifted their first-ever EFL Cup title in 2025.
- The winner secures a UEFA Conference League spot.
- Provides a chance for lower-league clubs to face top Premier League sides early in the season.
- Known for giant-killings and upsets, as Championship and League One teams often knock out top-tier clubs.
Importance of the EFL Cup
- First major domestic trophy of the English season.
- Offers a realistic chance of silverware for mid-table Premier League teams and strong Championship sides.
- Enhances club revenue through TV rights, sponsorships, and match-day sales.
- Builds momentum for clubs ahead of the latter stages of the FA Cup and Premier League run-in.
Conclusion
The EFL Cup 2025 continues its legacy as a thrilling knockout competition that provides drama, upsets, and glory. With Newcastle United as defending champions and 92 teams competing, fans can expect surprises at every stage — from early-round giant-killings to the showpiece final at Wembley on March 22, 2026.
It remains not only a prestigious domestic cup but also a pathway to European football, making it one of the most exciting competitions in English football.
