The EFL Cup, known through sponsorship as the Carabao Cup, was founded in 1960 and is contested by all 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League. Its format favours drama: single-leg ties through the early rounds, two-legged semi-finals, and a final at Wembley. Because it runs alongside league and European commitments, top clubs frequently rotate heavily, giving academy players rare senior exposure and opening the door to upsets against lower-division opposition. Liverpool are the most successful club in the competition's history. The winner qualifies for European competition, which makes the trophy a realistic route into Europe for clubs outside the traditional elite. For mid-table and lower-league sides, a run to the later rounds delivers both a marquee tie against elite opposition and gate receipts that can reshape a season's finances.
No EFL Cup fixtures are scheduled in the next seven days. The 2026/2027 edition runs from 1 August 2026 to 29 October 2026.