The draw for the first round of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup has taken place on Thursday, June 26, setting the stage for another exciting season of cup football. Football League teams from across the Championship, League One, and League Two have learned their initial opponents as they embark on their journey to Wembley.

This year sees a change in format to accommodate the increased number of Premier League teams participating in European competitions. Nine Premier League teams will be competing in Europe, leading to the introduction of a preliminary round. This round involves four teams: Barnet and Oldham Athletic, the two clubs promoted from the National League, and Accrington Stanley and Newport County, the teams finishing 21st and 22nd respectively in League Two. The preliminary round will see Accrington Stanley face Oldham Athletic, and Barnet take on Newport County, with the winners progressing to the first round. The home teams for these preliminary ties were also decided during the live draw.

The remainder of the first round maintains its regionalized format, split into Northern and Southern sections to minimize travel for the participating clubs. Round One fixtures are scheduled to take place in the week commencing August 11. The full list of ball numbers for each section was released prior to the draw, allowing fans to anticipate potential matchups.

Key dates for the 2025/26 Carabao Cup season are already confirmed. The preliminary round will be played during the week commencing August 4, with the second round following on the week of August 25. The third round is set for the weeks of September 15 and 22, and the fourth round will take place on October 27. The quarter-finals are scheduled for December 15, with the semi-final first and second legs in the weeks commencing January 12 and February 2, 2026, respectively. The Carabao Cup Final is set to be held on March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.

Newcastle United are the current holders of the Carabao Cup, after defeating Liverpool in the 2025 final. Liverpool will be looking to bounce back, entering the competition in the third round, while Everton, who have never won the trophy, will begin their campaign in the second round.

Sky Sports will broadcast the Carabao Cup live in the UK, showcasing every match from the first round through to the final. ITV will also simulcast at least one match from each round, including the final, offering fans multiple viewing options.