Carabao Cup second round draw sets up early clashes for Premier League clubs
The Carabao Cup second round draw, held on August 11 2026, determined fixtures that will see up to 11 Premier League teams enter the competition alongside Championship sides.
The Carabao Cup second round draw took place on August 11 2026 at 01:00 and determined fixtures for up to 11 Premier League teams entering the competition alongside Championship sides
The Carabao Cup second‑round draw took place on August 11, 2026, at 01:00 and was broadcast live across several platforms. The competition, officially sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink, pits Premier League clubs against teams from the English Football League. Up to eleven Premier League sides entered the draw, which was split into regionalised sections and scheduled for the evening of August 10 before being confirmed on August 11. The draw matters now because it sets up early fixtures for Premier League clubs and determines which teams progress to later stages of the 67th edition of the English Football League Cup.
Draw date and broadcast details
The second round draw of the Carabao Cup took place at 01:00 on August 11 2026, following a scheduled evening session on August 10 2026. The draw was broadcast live across multiple platforms, including a free live stream, allowing fans to watch the proceedings in real time.
Specific ball numbers were announced in advance, outlining the teams to be drawn into regionalised sections. Up to 11 Premier League clubs were set to enter the draw, alongside teams from the English Football League. The process determined which sides would progress to the next stage of the competition, shaping early fixtures for the season.
The draw formed part of a broader weekend of cup football action, integrating early rounds of domestic competition. Its structure emphasized regional pairings to reduce travel burdens during the early stages. Broadcast details included platform availability and timing, ensuring wide accessibility for viewers.
The event marked a key milestone in the 2026–27 edition of the Carabao Cup, the 67th edition of the English Football League Cup. It followed the previous season’s 64th edition, continuing a long-standing tradition of early-round drama and potential upsets.
Coverage was provided by major outlets, detailing the draw’s timing, format, and implications. The draw set the stage for Premier League clubs’ entry into the competition, aligning with broader scheduling patterns for domestic fixtures.
Second round draw of the Carabao Cup took place at 01:00
Second round draw was scheduled to take place in the evening
Second round draw was broadcast live on multiple platforms, including a free live stream
Second round draw was split into sections for scheduling purposes
Second round draw was announced with specific ball numbers and broadcast details
Second round draw was part of a broader weekend of cup football action
Second round draw included regionalised fixtures, with up to 11 Premier League teams participating
Second round draw included teams without European competition commitments in the hat
Second round draw determined which teams advance to subsequent stages
Second round draw was made and included regionalised fixtures, with up to 11 Premier League teams participating
Second round draw was announced with specific ball numbers and broadcast details
Second round draw was part of a broader weekend of cup football action
Format and participant profile
The Carabao Cup is a knockout competition open to all Premier League and English Football League clubs, sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink. Its second round draw determines fixtures for the early stages of the tournament, with matches scheduled to take place in August. Regionalised pairings were used to balance the draw, and up to 11 Premier League teams entered at this stage, alongside clubs that progressed from the first round. The draw was broadcast live on August 11, 2026, at 01:00, following a scheduled evening announcement on August 10. It formed part of a broader weekend of cup fixtures and included specific ball numbers and coverage details across multiple platforms.
The competition is entering its 67th edition of the English Football League Cup, continuing a tradition that began in 1960. Known for dramatic upsets and opportunities for lower-league teams to face top-tier opposition, the Carabao Cup remains a key part of the domestic calendar. The second round draw included fixtures that could see Premier League clubs face Championship or lower-league sides, with regionalisation designed to reduce travel burdens and enhance local rivalries.
The draw’s structure allowed for ties to be resolved without replays, with penalty shootouts used if necessary. Millwall’s first-round victory over QPR, decided by a shootout after a goalless draw, highlighted the competitiveness of early rounds. Goalkeeper Lukas Jensen saved all four penalties to send Millwall through, illustrating the high stakes involved.
For Premier League clubs entering at this stage, the draw sets up potential early challenges against lower-division opponents. The timing of fixtures, often in midweek slots, allows top-flight teams to field competitive but rotated squads. Broadcast details and kickoff times were published alongside the draw, ensuring clarity for fans and broadcasters.
The Carabao Cup continues to serve as a pathway for emerging talent and underdog stories, with its format emphasizing accessibility and excitement. Each edition builds on the competition’s legacy, reinforcing its role within English football’s domestic structure.
Millwall's penalty shootout victory
Millwall progressed past QPR in the first round after goalkeeper Lukas Jensen saved all four penalties. The match was part of the competition's early fixtures and contributed to the draw's participant list.
The Carabao Cup second round draw took place on August 11, 2026 at 01:00, following a scheduled evening session on August 10, 2026. It was broadcast live across multiple platforms, including a free live stream, and featured regionalised fixtures with up to 11 Premier League teams participating. The draw determined which clubs would advance to subsequent stages of the competition, which is sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink and is known as the EFL Cup.
Millwall’s victory over QPR, secured through Jensen’s penalty saves, contributed to the composition of the second round draw. The match occurred in August 2026 and formed part of a broader weekend of cup football action. The competition is entering its 67th edition of the English Football League Cup, having previously held its 64th edition in the 2023–24 season.
The second round draw included teams without European competition commitments in the hat, as noted in broadcast details. Millwall’s progression added to the pool of teams advancing to the next stage, with regionalised scheduling ensuring balanced fixtures. The draw’s structure and participant list were shaped by outcomes from earlier rounds, including results from matches featuring Premier League and English Football League clubs.
The competition continues to offer opportunities for cup upsets and emerging storylines, with media coverage highlighting its significance in the English football calendar.
Implications for Premier League clubs
The Carabao Cup second round draw sets up early clashes for Premier League clubs. Premier League clubs entered the competition at the second round stage. Up to 11 of the 20 Premier League sides were scheduled to participate, with fixtures arranged to avoid clashes with European commitments. The draw took place on August 11, 2026, at 01:00 and was broadcast live on multiple platforms including a free live stream. The competition is officially known as the Carabao Cup due to sponsorship by Carabao Energy Drink. It is the 67th edition of the English Football League Cup. The draw included regionalised fixtures to balance the schedule and reduce travel burdens. Premier League clubs without European competition commitments were placed in the hat for this round. The draw structure allowed for early cup fixtures to be confirmed before the full schedule was released. This stage determines which teams progress to the third round, where more Premier League sides join. The early timing of the draw gives clubs clarity on their cup path ahead of the domestic season. Matches from this round are scheduled to be played in August, aligning with the start of the new season. The competition offers Premier League clubs a chance to build momentum and test new signings. It also provides opportunities for younger players to gain experience in competitive fixtures. The draw’s regionalised format helps minimize fixture congestion during the busy early months. Teams were seeded based on previous season league performance and regional proximity. The draw was conducted to ensure a fair distribution of home and away fixtures. The Carabao Cup remains a key competition for clubs aiming to win silverware without compromising league form. Its structure supports both competitive integrity and commercial appeal across broadcasting platforms. The early draw also allows fans to plan for upcoming cup ties well in advance of kickoff dates. Premier League clubs must now prepare for these fixtures while managing squad rotation and fitness. The competition’s schedule integrates smoothly with the broader English football calendar. These early matches set the tone for cup ambitions and can influence confidence heading into the league campaign. The Carabao Cup continues to deliver dramatic moments, including penalty shootouts and unexpected results. Its format encourages competitiveness across all levels of the English football pyramid. The
Reactions and media coverage
The draw was covered widely by UK news outlets, including theguardian.com, bbc.com and talksport.com. Articles noted the competition’s reputation for producing cup surprises and its place in the early season calendar. Commentators highlighted that the second‑round draw determines which Premier League clubs enter the competition proper and sets up fixtures that can lead to early exits or unexpected advances. Some pieces pointed out that regionalised scheduling can place teams in close proximity, reducing travel early on. The coverage also referenced the tournament’s history of giant‑killing moments, though this was noted as part of broader commentary rather than a confirmed prediction. Media outlets emphasized the draw’s timing, broadcasting arrangements and the presence of up to eleven Premier League teams in the draw. The narrative framed the draw as a key milestone for clubs aiming to progress in a tournament that often rewards lower‑division sides with the chance to face top‑flight opponents. Overall, the reaction focused on logistical details, the competitive stakes and the draw’s role in shaping the early rounds of the competition.
Historical context of the competition
The Carabao Cup is the 67th edition of the English Football League Cup for the 2026–27 season, having previously been known as the EFL Cup. It is sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink and is open to all clubs in the Premier League and English Football League. The competition has long been associated with cup upsets, giant-killings and Wembley finals, forming part of England’s early-season cup football calendar.
The second round draw took place on August 11, 2026, at 01:00, following a scheduled evening draw on August 10, 2026. It was broadcast live across multiple platforms, including a free live stream. The draw featured regionalised fixtures and included up to 11 Premier League teams, alongside clubs without European competition commitments. This year’s edition continues a tradition that began in 1960, when the competition was first known as the League Cup. Over its history, it has delivered dramatic moments, from underdog victories to penalty shootouts that have defined careers and seasons. The Carabao Cup remains a key pathway for domestic silverware and a stage for emerging talent and unexpected outcomes. Its structure and scheduling reflect the evolving landscape of English football, balancing competitiveness with fixture congestion.
Schedule and next steps
The Carabao Cup second‑round fixtures were confirmed for August 2026, forming part of a broader weekend of cup football. After the draw at 01:00 on August 11, match‑ups were set across regionalised sections, with up to eleven Premier League clubs entering at this stage. The competition moves forward to later rounds later in the year, with ties scheduled to be played on dates that will be announced in the coming weeks. Teams without European competition commitments were placed in a separate hat to balance the draw.
Following the draw, the Carabao Cup second‑round fixtures were confirmed for August 2026, forming part of a broader weekend of cup football. The competition will progress to subsequent rounds later in the year.
The draw was broadcast live from 01:00 on August 11, with coverage across multiple platforms. It was preceded by a scheduled evening draw on August 10. The second‑round draw was split into sections to aid scheduling and included specific ball numbers. Up to eleven Premier League teams entered at this stage, alongside clubs from the English Football League.
Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen saved all four penalties in a shootout against QPR, securing Millwall’s progression to the second round. The match took place in the first round of the competition.
The second‑round draw determined which teams advance to later stages of the competition. It was part of a broader weekend of cup football action. The competition is now in its 67th edition of the English Football League Cup.
Regionalised fixtures were announced, with matches set to be played throughout August. The competition continues to offer opportunities for giant‑killing upsets in its early rounds.
The competition’s progression will see teams compete in later rounds later in the year. Fixtures were confirmed to take place across the August fixture list. The draw set up early clashes for Premier League clubs entering the tournament.
The Carabao Cup second‑round draw set up early clashes for Premier League clubs. The competition’s structure allows for regionalised scheduling to balance fixtures. The draw was conducted with specific ball numbers and broadcast details provided in advance.
The competition’s second‑round draw took place on August 11, 2026, at 01:00. It was broadcast live on multiple platforms. The draw included teams from both the
Regionalised draw structure
The second round draw was split into sections to manage scheduling, with fixtures organised regionally to reduce travel burdens. This structure included teams without European competition commitments in specific sections of the hat.
The draw took place on August 11, 2026, at 01:00, after being scheduled for the evening of August 10. It was broadcast live on multiple platforms, including a free live stream. The competition, known as the Carabao Cup due to sponsorship by Carabao Energy Drink, is the 67th edition of the English Football League Cup.
Regionalised fixtures were drawn from separate sections of the hat, ensuring that teams from similar geographic areas faced each other in the early stages. This approach aimed to minimise travel for clubs, particularly those participating in European competitions, which were placed in designated sections of the draw.
The draw included up to 11 Premier League teams, alongside clubs from the English Football League. The structure also considered the timing of fixtures, with matches set to occur in August as part of the early cup schedule.
The draw was part of a broader weekend of cup football action and was announced with specific ball numbers and broadcast details. It was split into sections for scheduling purposes, with fixtures organised to balance regional proximity and competitive fairness.
This approach ensured that teams without European commitments were distributed across sections to avoid premature clashes with teams carrying European obligations. The regionalised structure was a practical response to the demands of a congested calendar, aiming to ease the burden on clubs during the early stages of the competition.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Carabao Cup second round draw?
The second round draw takes place on August 11, 2026 at 01:00. It was scheduled for the evening of August 10, 2026. The draw is broadcast live on multiple platforms including a free live stream. It determines fixtures for the competition's second round.
How many Premier League teams are in the Carabao Cup second round?
Up to 11 Premier League teams are participating in the second round draw. These teams are included in a regionalised fixture list. The draw was announced with specific ball numbers and broadcast details on August 11, 2026.
Which teams entered the Carabao Cup second round draw?
Chelsea and Tottenham are among the Premier League clubs that entered the second round draw. The draw included teams without European competition commitments in the hat. It was part of a broader weekend of cup football action and covered live on multiple platforms.
Where can I watch the Carabao Cup second round draw live?
The second round draw was broadcast live on multiple platforms including a free live stream. It took place on August 11, 2026 at 01:00. The draw was announced with specific ball numbers and broadcast details as part of the competition's scheduling.
When does the Carabao Cup second round happen?
The second round draw occurs on August 11, 2026 at 01:00. It was scheduled for the evening of August 10, 2026. The draw determines fixtures and is part of the competition's early season schedule, involving up to 11 Premier League teams.
