Leicester City host Northampton Town in Carabao Cup as new season begins
Leicester City begin life as a League One club by hosting Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup first round, the first competitive meeting between the sides in 17 years.
Leicester City host Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup first round at the King Power Stadium in August 2026. The tie, the first competitive meeting between the clubs in 17 years, opens Leicester's 2026/27 campaign as a League One side under manager Russell Martin.
Leicester City opened their 2026/27 campaign by hosting Northampton Town in a first-round Carabao Cup tie at the King Power Stadium in August 2026. According to BBC Sport, the fixture was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs in 17 years, with reports suggesting two debutants were named in Leicester's starting lineup. The cup tie comes at a striking moment in Leicester's history. Relegated from the Premier League in 2024–25, the club spent last season in the Championship and, according to reports, will compete in League One in 2026/27 — a drop of two divisions in two seasons. Northampton, meanwhile, were reported to be a League Two side at the time of the fixture. One familiar face crossed the divide before kick-off: Logan Briggs, a 21-year-old Wales Under-21 international, signed a new Leicester contract before joining the visitors on loan. The match matters because it offers an early read on where Leicester stand under Russell Martin, reported to be the club's manager. A betting preview published ahead of the game tipped the hosts to win, but the bigger question is how a club of Leicester's recent pedigree adjusts to third-tier football.
Leicester open 2026/27 with cup tie against Northampton at the King Power
Leicester City begin their 2026/27 campaign with a first-round Carabao Cup tie against Northampton Town at the King Power Stadium in August 2026. According to reports, the fixture is scheduled for a Saturday afternoon.
Northampton arrive at the King Power as a League Two side, according to reports, while Leicester prepare for a season in League One. BBC Sport and other outlets report that this will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs in 17 years, giving the tie a rare local flavour despite the gap between the sides in the league pyramid.
Reports also suggest that Leicester named two debutants in their starting lineup for the cup tie, an early indication of how the squad is being reshaped for the new season. The identities of the two players have not been confirmed.
A betting preview published ahead of the match tipped Leicester to beat Northampton, reflecting their status as the higher-ranked side on home soil. The exact date and kick-off time of the fixture have not been confirmed.
From Premier League to League One in two seasons
Two years ago, Leicester City were a Premier League club. The 2024–25 season ended in relegation, sending them into the Championship for 2025–26. Now, according to reports, the club face a further drop, with Leicester set to compete in League One during the 2026/27 season.
The speed of the decline is striking. In the space of two campaigns, the club have fallen from the top flight to the third tier of English football. None of the sources consulted explains how or why Leicester dropped from the Championship to League One, and the circumstances of that second relegation remain unclear.
Reports indicate that Russell Martin is the manager tasked with leading the rebuild. His side's league campaign is due to begin away at Notts County, a fixture that underlines how far the club have travelled from their recent past. Before that, according to reports, Leicester were scheduled to play a friendly against Genoa as preparation for the new season.
Leicester City were relegated from the Premier League.
Leicester City played in the Championship following relegation.
Logan Briggs, a 21-year-old Wales Under-21 international, signed a new Leicester City contract before joining Northampton Town on loan.
Leicester City were scheduled to play a friendly against Genoa ahead of the cup tie.
A betting preview tipped Leicester City to beat Northampton Town.
Leicester City, managed by Russell Martin, hosted League Two side Northampton Town in a first-round Carabao Cup tie at the King Power Stadium, beginning their 2026/27 campaign on a Saturday afternoon.
Two debutants were named in Leicester City's starting lineup for the tie, the first competitive meeting between the clubs in 17 years.
Leicester City were due to compete in League One, opening their league season away at Notts County.
Briggs signs new deal then joins the visitors on loan
One player will have a foot in both camps when the teams meet. Logan Briggs, a 21-year-old Wales Under-21 international, agreed a new contract with Leicester City before joining Northampton Town on loan ahead of the fixture, meaning he makes the trip to the King Power Stadium as a member of the visiting squad rather than the home one. The arrangement ties his long-term future to Leicester while giving him the chance of competitive football elsewhere. The length of his new deal has not been disclosed, and the specific terms of the loan — including whether it covers the full season — are not yet known.
What comes next for Martin's side
Before the cup tie, Leicester are reportedly scheduled to play a friendly against Genoa, according to previews published ahead of the new campaign. Once the Carabao Cup fixture is out of the way, attention turns to the league: reports suggest Russell Martin's side will open their League One season away at Notts County.
Much remains unconfirmed, however. The exact date and kick-off time of the Northampton tie have not been announced, and the result, of course, is still to be decided. Nor have the identities of the two debutants reportedly named in Leicester's starting lineup been disclosed. Those details are expected to emerge as the season gets under way.
Frequently asked questions
When is Leicester City vs Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup?
Leicester City hosted Northampton Town in a first-round Carabao Cup tie at the King Power Stadium in August 2026. According to reports, the match was scheduled for a Saturday afternoon and marked the start of Leicester's 2026/27 campaign. The exact date and kick-off time have not been confirmed in the sources consulted, and the result of the match is not yet known.
When did Leicester City and Northampton Town last play each other?
According to reports, the Carabao Cup tie was the first competitive meeting between Leicester City and Northampton Town in 17 years. The fixture brought together two clubs at very different levels: Leicester were preparing for a League One campaign, while Northampton were reported to be competing in League Two at the time of the match.
Who is Logan Briggs and what is his connection to both clubs?
Logan Briggs is a 21-year-old Wales Under-21 international. Before the cup tie, he agreed a new contract with Leicester City and then joined Northampton Town on loan. The length and terms of both his new Leicester deal and the loan arrangement have not been disclosed in the sources consulted.
Who is Leicester City's manager for the Northampton Town cup tie?
According to reports, Russell Martin is the manager of Leicester City. He took charge of a club beginning its 2026/27 campaign in League One, with reports also indicating that two debutants were named in his starting lineup for the Carabao Cup tie against Northampton Town. The identities of those debutants have not been confirmed.
What league are Leicester City in for the 2026/27 season?
According to reports, Leicester City will compete in League One during the 2026/27 season and are due to open their league campaign away at Notts County. The club was relegated from the Premier League in 2024–25 and spent the 2025–26 season in the Championship. The sources do not explain why Leicester dropped from the Championship to League One.
Compiled from reporting by 9 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
