Carabao Cup 2026 Kicks Off: New Preliminary Round Before Carabao Closing 2026 Season

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The path to the Carabao Cup 2026 final will feature a notable change. As the 2025/26 edition of the competition introduces a preliminary round for the first time. This adjustment comes in response to the growing number of Premier League clubs involved in European competitions.

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With nine top-flight sides set to participate in UEFA tournaments next season. To ease the scheduling burden and streamline the early stages of the tournament. The preliminary round will help reduce the number of clubs entering the first and second rounds. Ensuring a more balanced and manageable format for all involved.

Preliminary Round Added Ahead of Carabao Cup Final 2026 Schedule

The 2025/26 edition ...
... of the competition has introduced a preliminary round. A structural change designed to ease fixture congestion in a season where nine Premier League clubs are competing in Europe. This early round marks the official start of the journey toward the Carabao Cup Final 2026. Giving lower-league sides a unique platform before the main rounds begin. The move is part of a broader strategy to streamline the early phases while maintaining competitive balance.

National League and League Two Teams Open Carabao Cup Final 2026 Path

The newly introduced preliminary round will feature four clubs: the two sides promoted from the National League and the bottom two from League Two in the 2024/25 campaign. As the path to the Carabao Cup Season begins. Accrington Stanley face Oldham Athletic, and Barnet host Newport County. These early ties follow the competition’s regional format and will decide who advances to join the rest of the EFL in the first round. Observe Also Carabao Cup Final Elevation

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Newport’s Dramatic Win Sets Up Carabao Cup Final 2026 Ambition

Newport County’s journey toward the Carabao Cup got off to a thrilling start with a penalty shootout win over Barnet. Manager Dave Hughes celebrated his first competitive victory as County edged out the National League champions 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Cameron Antwi and Michael Reindorf scored in the first half. And after a late Barnet comeback, keeper Nik Tzanev’s penalty save helped secure a first-round tie at home against Millwall.

Fixture Timeline Released on Road to Carabao Cup Final 2026

The EFL has confirmed key fixture dates leading to the Carabao Cup Final 2026. The preliminary round is set for the week commencing 4 August 2025. Followed by round one a week later. Round two will be played in late August. While round three will be split over mid and late September to accommodate European participants. Later rounds will be held in October, December, January, and February. Culminating in the final on Sunday, 22 March 2026.

Premier League Entrants Set Stage for Carabao Cup Final 2026 Drama

Of the 20 Premier League clubs, 11 not playing in European competitions will enter in round two. While the nine European-bound sides join in round three. These clubs include Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa. Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace. With top-tier teams joining at different stages, the format ensures the later rounds leading up to the Carabao Cup Final 2026 remain competitive and star-studded.

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UEFA Confirmation Pending for Crystal Palace’s Carabao Cup Final 2026 Entry

Crystal Palace's entry into the third round is dependent on final UEFA approval. Due to shared ownership links between Palace and French club Lyon. The Eagle Football group has stakes in both clubs, and UEFA must confirm Palace’s eligibility. Their participation in Europe and therefore late entry. It could influence the structure of round three and shape their path toward a potential Carabao Cup Final 2026 appearance.

First-Round Draw Sees Fresh Matchups and Historic Meetings

The first round of the 2025/26 competition features several exciting fixtures. Including a historic first-ever meeting between Ipswich Town and League Two newcomers Bromley. Bromley, promoted just over a year ago, make only their second appearance in the competition. All three recently relegated Premier League sides Southampton. Leicester City, and Ipswich will play away from home, offering a chance for lower-league hosts to cause early upsets.

Four Championship Clashes Highlight Round One Action

The opening round also includes four all-Championship ties that are expected to draw strong attention. Watford host Norwich in a familiar derby, Hull travel to Wrexham. Birmingham City welcome Sheffield United, and West Brom face Derby at The Hawthorns. These matchups bring early high-stakes contests to the tournament and set the stage for momentum-building performances before Premier League sides enter in later rounds.

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Preliminary Round Underdogs Challenge Established Names

Accrington Stanley and Oldham Athletic will fight for the right to face Peterborough United in round one. Meanwhile, Newport County’s win over Barnet has earned them a home fixture against Championship side Millwall. These matches offer lower-tier clubs a shot at testing themselves against more established opposition. And potentially progressing deeper into a competition that still holds major prestige for EFL teams.

Clubs Aim to Capitalize on Early Round Opportunities

With round one fixtures taking place in the week commencing 11 August. Many sides will be eager to make strong starts. Coventry City host Luton Town, and Bristol City face MK Dons. While regional ties such as Charlton vs. Stevenage and Portsmouth vs. Reading promise intense early encounters. These fixtures provide a platform for players to impress and for clubs to gain momentum ahead of a demanding domestic season.

Northern Section Brings Tight Matchups in Round One

In the northern half of the draw, competitive fixtures include Middlesbrough vs. Doncaster Rovers, Tranmere vs. Burton, and Bolton Wanderers hosting Sheffield Wednesday. Wigan will take on Notts County, and Barnsley meet Fleetwood Town in games that could go either way. With promotion hopefuls, relegation survivors, and new faces all in action. The northern section is packed with unpredictability and high-stakes football.

Lower-League Clubs Set Sights on Deep Cup Runs

The early rounds of the competition remain a crucial avenue for smaller clubs to gain national attention. Matches like Chesterfield vs. Mansfield and Salford City vs. Rotherham provide opportunities for giant-killings and cup stories to emerge. While the journey to Wembley is long, clubs from every division will be dreaming of deep runs. That can galvanize their seasons, lift supporter morale, and bring financial rewards.

Preliminary Round Reshapes the Start of the Season

The 2025/26 edition of the EFL Cup kicks off with a significant structural change: the addition of a preliminary round. This adjustment has been introduced to manage the increased number of Premier League clubs competing in European competitions. With nine top-flight teams in UEFA tournaments next season. Fixture congestion was a concern. This change ensures that the competition remains streamlined without sacrificing quality. It also gives lower-league teams an early spotlight, raising the stakes right from the start of the road.

National League Promotions Meet League Two Strugglers

To populate the new preliminary round, four clubs have been selected: the two teams promoted from the National League and the two sides that finished 21st and 22nd in League Two. These clubs will be matched in regional pairings, a tradition in the early stages of the EFL Cup. Accrington Stanley will host Oldham Athletic in one tie, while Barnet take on Newport County in the other. These early fixtures not only serve as gateways to round one but also mark the opening chapter.

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Newport County’s Grit Sets the Tone

Newport County delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the preliminary round with a comeback win on penalties against Barnet. After leading 2-0 through first-half goals by Cameron Antwi and Michael Reindorf. County were pegged back by Barnet in stoppage time, with Ryan Galvin and Rhys Brown forcing penalties. However, goalkeeper Nik Tzanev emerged as the hero. Saving from Kane Smith before Cameron Evans netted the winner. This win not only gives Newport a shot at Championship side Millwall in round one but also fires the opening salvo in their bid.

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