Carabao Cup: What’s the Deal?

Ever wonder why the Carabao Cup gets a buzz every season? It’s England’s secondary knockout tournament, sitting behind the FA Cup but still packing drama. All 92 clubs from the Premier League and the English Football League get a shot, which means you might see a tiny club taking on a giant and pulling off a surprise.

How the competition works

The cup starts in early August and runs until late February. The first round pits lower‑league sides against each other, while Premier League clubs not involved in Europe join in the second round. Those juggling Europa or Champions League action jump in at the third round. Matches are single‑leg knockouts – if it’s a draw after 90 minutes, you go straight to penalties, except for the semi‑finals which are played over two legs.

Winners lift the trophy at Wembley and earn a spot in the Europa Conference League, provided they haven’t already qualified for Europe elsewhere. That prize alone keeps many clubs hungry, even if the big guns view it as a chance to rotate squads.

Key dates for the 2025 Carabao Cup

Mark your calendar: the first‑round draw lands in late June, with games kicking off the first week of August. The third round – where the top‑tier clubs usually enter – takes place in early September. Quarter‑finals follow in late October, semi‑final legs in late January and early February, and the final is set for the last Saturday of February at Wembley.

If you’re planning to watch, most early games stream on the official Carabao Cup website or on free‑to‑air channels like BBC One. Later rounds often shift to Sky Sports, so a subscription may be needed if you want live action.

For fans on a budget, the BBC iPlayer offers replays, and you can catch highlights on YouTube. Social media accounts of clubs also post live updates, goal clips, and fan reactions, keeping the conversation buzzing even if you miss the match.

What makes the Carabao Cup special? It’s the stage where younger players get minutes, managers experiment with tactics, and underdogs have a real shot at glory. Think of the 2020 final when a lower‑division side pushed the big clubs to the brink – moments like that are why the cup stays exciting.

So whether you’re a die‑hard supporter or just looking for some extra football before the Premier League kicks off, the Carabao Cup offers cheap thrills, unexpected stories, and a chance to see rising stars shine. Grab your snacks, set a reminder for the next round, and enjoy the ride.