Carabao Cup fixtures 2026-27

Read Carabao Cup fixtures with the match date and kick-off time together, using WAT, EAT, SAST and GMT. The fixtures above cover the full football schedule, with local times for soccer followers in South Africa alongside readers in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Uganda.

The competition began in 1960/61, and its appeal still rests on the possibility that one cup night changes a club’s story. Start with the Carabao Cup hub for the wider competition picture, then read each fixture alongside its round and qualification status.

Which Round Comes Next, and What Time Does It Start?

Check the round and match date alongside the kick-off time, and establish which time zone the fixture display uses before converting it. Nigeria uses WAT, Kenya and Uganda use EAT, South Africa uses SAST, and Ghana uses GMT. East African readers should check the likely finishing time too: a late evening start can carry the penalty shoot-out beyond a comfortable bedtime.

How Do You Read Every Fixture and See Who Goes Through?

Read the fixtures by round and check whether a semi-final fixture is the opening or deciding leg. The Carabao Cup table provides competition status rather than a league title race. For completed ties, use the Carabao Cup results archive and check the shoot-out or aggregate outcome before deciding who has advanced.

Keep the match score separate from the tie outcome. A side can win the deciding leg while the other advances on aggregate, so the score beside one fixture does not always tell the whole story. For African players, read individual contributions alongside that wider outcome rather than judging their cup involvement through goals alone.

Where Can You Watch or Follow Carabao Cup Live?

Check television and streaming schedules for your country and chosen match, then confirm the local start time. Availability can differ between Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Uganda, and between rounds. A competition listing alone does not establish that every tie will be shown on the same channel or service.

Distinguish the programme start from kick off when arranging your viewing. If following an African international, check the confirmed team selection before choosing between simultaneous matches; a fixture listing identifies the clubs but does not establish which players will take part.

How Does the Carabao Cup Draw Work?

Check the published draw conditions for the relevant round before interpreting the pairings. Read the home and away designation carefully, especially when planning around a two leg semi-final rather than a single match.

A draw pairing establishes the opponents, while the fixture entry supplies the viewing details. Wait for the confirmed date and start time before adding the tie to your calendar.

How Are Ties Decided, and What Does Winning Bring?

Ties are single matches except for the two legged semi-finals, and the final is played at Wembley. Since 2018/19, level ties have gone straight to penalties without extra time outside the final; in a semi-final, read that outcome against the aggregate score. This keeps earlier rounds from adding another period before the shoot-out. The final retains extra time, and its confirmed date appears in the final fixture entry alongside the venue.

Since 2020/21, winning has provided a route into the UEFA Conference League. Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal in the 2025/26 final is a useful reminder of how much can rest on the Wembley meeting. Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba scored both Chelsea goals in their victory over Arsenal by two goals to one in the 2007 final. Use Carabao Cup stats to follow players’ contributions.

Are the EFL Cup and Carabao Cup the Same Competition?

EFL Cup, Carabao Cup and League Cup are names for the same competition. Sponsor changes explain why older football conversations use different titles, while EFL Cup fixtures refer to the competition under its organising identity. The EFL name followed the Football League’s rebranding in 2016/17. When searching or saving a fixture, check the competition label and round together. For scores without a video stream, use the Carabao Cup results archive.