Why is the Carabao Cup starting this week? New fixture schedule explained

English football’s secondary club competition begins before EFL season in shake-up

The 2026/27 Carabao Cup first round officially got under way on Thursday night as League Two club Walsall upset Championship side Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate.

If that felt like an early start to the domestic season, then you would be right, because this year the decision was made to begin the Carabao Cup one week before the new EFL campaign commences.

Typically, the first round of Carabao Cup fixtures have been held in the midweek period immediately following the opening round of Championship, League One and League Two games.

This year, though, following consultation with clubs from across the EFL, it was agreed that the Carabao Cup would kick off a week earlier than usual to ease fixture congestion.

There has already been the need for a preliminary round due to nine English clubs playing in Europe this season, with Rochdale and Crawley beating Tranmere and York respectively.

In another change to the schedule, the 2026/27 edition of the Carabao Cup was originally meant to get under way this Friday, before Bristol City’s match with Walsall was moved a day earlier to avoid clashing with the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

The decision to move the competition was made to allow players more rest compared to other seasons, with teams typically playing three times in the space of a week as a result of the old schedule.

Trophy: Manchester City beat Arsenal at Wembley last season to lift the Carabao Cup again

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The 34 remaining first-round matches will take place from Friday to Monday, with a full round of weekend fixtures being held for the first time this century.

The Carabao Cup first round games include teams from the Championship, League One and League Two, with last season’s clubs who were relegated from the Premier League - West Ham, Burnley and Wolves - all taking part.

11 Premier League teams - including London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea, who aren’t in Europe at all this term - will then enter the competition in the second round.

Current holders Manchester City will begin their latest Carabao Cup defence in round three alongside the other eight Premier League clubs playing in UEFA competitions this season - Arsenal, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton and Crystal Palace.

The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Monday, August 10, during the build-up to the Devon derby clash between Plymouth and Exeter on Sky Sports.