Mansfield Town drawn against Sheffield United in Carabao Cup first round

Mansfield Town have been drawn at home to Sheffield United in the first round of the Carabao Cup, with the tie scheduled for a Sunday afternoon at the start of the 2026/27 season. According to reports, the match is expected to be played at the One Call Stadium and would be the first competitive fixture of the campaign for both clubs. The pairing revives a meeting from last season, when Mansfield beat the Blades in a cup tie — one source records the score as 4-3. Mansfield, who are embarking on their second consecutive season in League One, will see the draw as a chance to repeat that upset. Sheffield United, meanwhile, arrive after what The Star's sports editor Chris Holt described as a difficult summer transfer period for Chris Wilder. Coverage will be extensive. Sky Sports is set to broadcast every first-round tie live, including this one, while the BBC will provide live text commentary, scores and statistics. A Telegraph writer has already offered three betting tips for the match, one involving a penalty being awarded.

Mansfield host Blades in first-round cup tie

Mansfield Town will welcome Sheffield United in the first round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup, with the tie scheduled for a Sunday afternoon at the League One club's home ground. Reports identify the venue as the One Call Stadium in Mansfield, and also suggest the fixture will be the first competitive match of the season for both clubs.

For Mansfield, the cup meeting opens a campaign that follows a notable milestone. The 2025/26 season was the club's 129th, and their second consecutive campaign in League One. According to reports, the Stags completed their pre-season preparations ahead of the tie and are aiming for a successful campaign in the division this season.

The draw pits the third-tier hosts against a Sheffield United side with Championship pedigree, setting up an early test for both squads as the new season gets under way.

A repeat of last season's cup upset

The draw pairs two sides with fresh cup history. Mansfield Town beat Sheffield United in a cup tie last season, with one source putting the score at 4-3 — a result that stands as one of the more eye-catching moments of the Stags' recent campaigns.

That earlier meeting gives this first-round tie an edge it might otherwise lack. For Mansfield, it is proof they can get the better of Championship opposition on their day. For Sheffield United, it offers immediate motivation: a chance to avenge a defeat that will not have been forgotten at Bramall Lane.

Cup upsets rarely repeat themselves on demand, but the memory of that afternoon ensures neither club will treat this as a routine early-round fixture.

How to watch and follow the tie

Supporters had several ways to follow the tie. Sky Sports was set to broadcast every first-round Carabao Cup tie live, with Mansfield Town against Sheffield United included in that coverage. For those not watching on television, the BBC provided live text commentary, score updates and match statistics throughout the game.

Broadcast details for the fixture, including the TV channel, live stream options and kick-off time, were published for viewers ahead of the match, according to reports. However, the exact date and kick-off time are not confirmed in the available information, beyond the fact that the tie was scheduled for a Sunday afternoon. Fans were advised to check listings for the precise scheduling details.

Wilder's difficult summer at Bramall Lane

Sheffield United arrive at the tie after what has been described as a testing close season at Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder experienced a difficult summer transfer period, according to insight provided to Chad by The Star's sports editor Chris Holt. The details of United's business during that window have not been made clear, but the suggestion is that preparations for the new campaign have been far from smooth.

One constant during that period has been Michael Cooper, who, according to reports, has spent two years with the Blades at Bramall Lane. His role or status at the club beyond that spell remains unclear.

Mansfield, for their part, are reported to have completed their pre-season preparations ahead of the cup meeting. The League One side are said to be aiming for a successful campaign in the division this season, and the visit of Championship opposition offers an early test of their readiness. The tie is expected to be among the first competitive matches of the season for both clubs, according to reports.

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