Everything You Need To Know About The EFL Cup First-Round Draw

Alright, football lovers, strap in. The domestic season might be taking a breather, but the EFL Cup (aka the Carabao Cup) is already revving its engines. The 2025–26 edition is taking shape, and before the first whistle is blown, we’ve got some early fireworks in the form of the first-round draw.

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Whether you're following a Championship heavyweight or rooting for a plucky League Two underdog, here's your complete guide to what's happening, when, and why it all matters.

When is The EFL Cup Draw Happening?

The EFL Cup first-round draw is scheduled for Thursday, 26 June 2025. The curtain-raiser begins at 16:20 BST, but don’t blink—the action starts right away with the preliminary round draw. That’s immediately followed by the first-round draw, where the bulk of the EFL sides find out their fate.

So, in short:

• 🕓 16:20 BST - Preliminary Round Draw

• ➡️ Immediately after - First-Round Draw

It's the kind of Thursday that suddenly becomes must-watch for fans of the 72 EFL clubs (well, actually, 70—but more on that in a sec).

Man Utd celebrating after beating Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final in 2023 under Erik ten Hag's guidance - [GIF]

How Can You Watch The Draw?

At the time of writing, full broadcasting details haven’t been confirmed—but traditionally, the EFL Cup draws are available via the official EFL channels, such as:

• Sky Sports News (in previous seasons)

• EFL’s social media platforms (YouTube, Twitter/X, and Facebook Live)

• Live updates on the EFL website

Expect clips, instant graphics, and social buzz across platforms. So if you're a fan of a lower-league side hoping for a big fish, keep your phone and TV close.

What Is The Preliminary Round, And Who's Involved?

The preliminary round is a relatively rare wrinkle that’s back this year for good reason. Because of a tweak to the competition format (thanks to the European fixture congestion), the EFL needs to trim the field slightly before diving into the first round proper.

Here’s how it's playing out:

• The preliminary round features four clubs:

  • Accrington Stanley vs Oldham Athletic

  • Barnet vs Newport County

These clubs represent:

• The two promoted sides from the National League (Oldham and Barnet)

• The teams that finished 21st and 22nd in League Two last season (Accrington and Newport)

The home teams for these ties will be determined before the first-round draw itself. The two winning sides then advance into the first round like everyone else.

Why Are Only 70 Clubs in The First Round?

So, usually, you’d expect all 72 EFL sides to be thrown into the first-round pot. But this year, only 70 clubs get in at that stage. Why?

Because nine Premier League clubs will be playing in European competitions next season (Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League). To balance the calendar and avoid an overload of early fixtures, the EFL made space by introducing the preliminary round. That’s how we end up with a slightly leaner first round, it’s about fixture fairness and managing the flow of the tournament.

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Who Enters The EFL Cup And When?

Let’s break it down:

Preliminary Round

• 2 National League promotions + League Two’s bottom 2

• Matches: Week commencing Monday, 4 August 2025

First Round

• The remaining 70 EFL clubs (plus the 2 preliminary winners)

• Matches: Week commencing Monday, 11 August 2025

Second Round

• Add in the 11 Premier League clubs not in Europe

• Typically happens late August

Third Round

• Now enter the big guns—the 9 Premier League clubs competing in Europe

• Usually played mid-to-late September

This staggered entry helps prevent fixture pileups, particularly for top clubs juggling multiple competitions.

Newcastle United won the EFL Cup in 2025, beating Arne Slot's Liverpool at Wembley.

Key Dates For The EFL Cup 2025–26

Let’s get those calendars ready:

Preliminary Round

• Week beginning Monday, 4 August 2025

First Round

• Week beginning Monday, 11 August 2025

Second Round (estimated)

• Week beginning Monday, 25 August 2025

Third Round (estimated)

• Week beginning Monday, 22 September 2025

From here, the rounds will space out across the season, leading to the usual thrilling February final at Wembley.

What’s At Stake In The Early Rounds?

Here’s where it gets spicy. The early rounds of the EFL Cup may not have the glitz of a Wembley final, but they’re loaded with drama:

• Giant-killing potential – Lower league clubs can, and do, shock Championship or even Premier League sides. Think MK Dons beating Manchester United 4–0 in 2014, Notts County handing Tottenham Hotspur a 3–0 defeat in 1994, or Liverpool drawing 2–2 with Northampton in 2010 before losing 4–2 on penalties.

• Financial boosts – Each round comes with gate receipts, TV money, and prize cash—vital revenue for lower-tier clubs.

• Momentum – A cup run can transform a club’s season, galvanise fans, and give managers breathing room.

For many clubs, these aren’t “just” early ties. They’re lifelines and launchpads.

What’s The Difference Between The FA Cup And The EFL Cup?

Quick refresher in case you're new to this:

Competition	FA Cup	EFL Cup (Carabao Cup)
Open To	700+ clubs from top to non-league	Only 92 clubs (Premier League + EFL)
Format	Straight knockout, with replays early on	Straight knockout, no replays
Final	Usually May	Usually February
Winner Gets	FA Cup trophy, Europa League spot	Carabao Cup trophy, Europa Conference League spot
Romance Factor	Sky-high – minnows vs giants	Faster-paced, but with potential for shocks

So while the FA Cup has tradition, the EFL Cup has urgency. It’s short, sharp, and doesn’t mess about.

If you're a fan, scout, blogger, or just someone who’s already missing club football, this draw is your signal: the season is coming. And the EFL Cup, as ever, will throw up twists, tears, and triumphs long before we even hit winter.