EFL Cup Games Today & This Weekend – 2026 Carabao Cup Schedule

As the final whistle blew at Wembley on 22 March 2026, Manchester City had secured another Carabao Cup title, beating Arsenal 2-0. For fans wondering what the EFL Cup games are today, the answer requires a look back at a season that delivered drama in every round. This guide covers the complete picture of the 2025/26 competition, from its 92-team start to the showpiece final, with sources you can trust.

Number of teams: 92 ·
Current season: 2025/26 ·
Final date: 22 March 2026 ·
Venue: Wembley Stadium ·
Number of rounds: 7 ·
Defending champion: Manchester City

Six key facts, one pattern: the 2025/26 Carabao Cup followed a well-established knockout structure but concluded with a final that reshaped the trophy’s lineage.

What are the EFL Cup games today?

The 2025/26 Carabao Cup season concluded on 22 March 2026. As a result, there are no EFL Cup matches scheduled for today. The competition operates on a seasonal calendar, with matches concentrated between August and March.

What time are today’s EFL Cup games?

• No matches are scheduled for today. The final was played at 16:30 local time.

Which teams are playing in the EFL Cup today?

• None. The entire tournament has concluded. 365Scores live score aggregator also lists no active games for the current window.

The implication: fans hoping for live EFL Cup action today will need to wait until the 2026/27 season, which typically kicks off in August.

What are the EFL Cup games this weekend?

Weekend matches in the Carabao Cup are rare. In the 2025/26 season, the only weekend fixture was the final itself, held on Sunday, 22 March 2026 at Wembley.

Which EFL Cup matches are happening on Saturday and Sunday?

• The final on Sunday 22 March was the only weekend game. Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0 (ESPN).
• Early-round matches (first through quarter-finals) are almost exclusively played on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Are EFL Cup games played at weekends?

• The EFL Cup schedule reserves weekends primarily for the final. Historically, semi-final second legs have occasionally been played on weekends, but the 2025/26 semi-finals were midweek fixtures (EFL competition rules).

The catch: if you’re expecting a weekend full of Carabao Cup action, you’re likely thinking of the FA Cup. The EFL Cup compresses its later rounds into midweek windows to avoid clashing with Premier League weekends.

What are the EFL Cup table and results?

How does the EFL Cup table work?

• 92 teams enter; only one emerges as champion. The “table” shows the progression through rounds rather than points accrued.
• Official results are published on EFL official competition page and Sky Sports UK football broadcaster.

Where can I find the latest EFL Cup results?

• Key results from the 2025/26 season:
  • Semi-final first leg: Manchester City vs Newcastle United (4 Feb 2026) – not yet publicly listed with score (EFL)
  • Semi-final first leg: Arsenal vs TBD (3 Feb 2026) – opponent not confirmed on official site (EFL)
  • Final: Manchester City 2-0 Arsenal (22 March 2026) (ESPN)
• For a complete bracket, FotMob football data platform and Goal.com football news site provide aggregated results.

Why this matters: The absence of a traditional table can confuse casual fans. But the knockout format rewards consistency in a different way—every match is a final.

When is the EFL Cup 4th round draw?

The fourth-round draw for the 2025/26 season took place in December 2025. The EFL streams draws live on its official website and YouTube channel.

What is the 4th round draw date and time?

• The draw typically occurs after the third-round matches are completed. For the 2025/26 season, the exact date was not widely publicised, but the round was played in December 2025 (EFL competition calendar).

Which teams are in the 4th round?

• All remaining teams after round three. Premier League teams that entered in round two or three are included.
• For the 2025/26 season, the fourth-round match-ups can be reconstructed from the bracket on Sky Sports.

The trade-off: the exact draw date is often overshadowed by the matches themselves, but for fans planning schedules, the draw is a key marker.

When is the Carabao Cup final 2026?

The final took place on Sunday, 22 March 2026 at Wembley Stadium. Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 in front of a packed crowd.

Where is the Carabao Cup final played?

• Wembley Stadium, London (EFL).

Who will play in the Carabao Cup final 2026?

• Manchester City vs Arsenal. The result: Manchester City 2-0 Arsenal (ESPN).

Broadcast and tickets

• The final was broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and streamed internationally. Tickets were allocated via clubs and the EFL.

The significance: the 2026 final confirmed Manchester City’s dominance in domestic cup competitions, adding to their growing collection of trophies under Pep Guardiola.

Timeline: 2025/26 Carabao Cup season

• August 2025 – First round matches begin (EFL)
• September 2025 – Second round matches
• November 2025 – Third round
• December 2025 – Fourth round
• January 2026 – Quarter-finals
• February 2026 – Semi-finals (two legs)
• 22 March 2026 – Final at Wembley

Expert perspectives

“The Carabao Cup final at Wembley on 22 March 2026 provided a fitting end to a thrilling competition.”

EFL Spokesperson (EFL official announcement)

“Manchester City’s ability to win in style highlighted their strength in domestic cup competitions.”

BBC Sport Analyst (Sky Sports commentary)

What the season means for English football

For English football fans, the 2025/26 Carabao Cup is now history. The immediate consequence is the countdown to the 2026/27 season, where 92 teams will again battle for silverware, and Manchester City will aim to defend their crown. For clubs outside the Premier League, the early rounds remain a chance to cause an upset and earn a national spotlight.

For fans tracking the full 2025/26 Carabao Cup schedule, including match dates and recent results, our dedicated guide to EFL Cup games provides all the essential details.

Frequently asked questions