The anticipation of a Carabao Cup draw is a ritual for football fans across England. It’s the moment when dreams are sparked, potential giant-killings are identified, and the path to Wembley Stadium begins to take shape. Unlike the meticulous seeding and regionalization of other tournaments, the Carabao Cup—officially known as the EFL Cup—often produces ties that are full of surprises. From the early rounds where lower-league clubs host Premier League giants to the late stages where top-flight teams face off, the draw is a fundamental part of the competition’s identity.
Understanding the Carabao Cup and Its Draw
The Carabao Cup is an annual knockout football competition open to all 92 clubs in the English Football League (EFL) and the Premier League. The tournament is a traditional, straight knockout format, with the winner earning a place in the UEFA Europa League (or, if they have already qualified for a UEFA competition, the next-best-placed team in the Premier League).
What is the Carabao Cup Draw?
The Carabao Cup draw is the official process by which fixtures for each round of the competition are determined. In each round, the clubs remaining in the tournament are “drawn” from a pot, and their opponents are randomly selected. The first club drawn in a tie is typically designated as the “home” team, hosting the match at their stadium. The draws are highly-anticipated events, often broadcast live on television, with former players or managers assisting with the selection of the balls.
The Knockout Journey: A Round-by-Round Breakdown
The Carabao Cup consists of seven rounds, including a two-legged semi-final and a one-off final at Wembley. The draw for each stage follows a specific set of rules, which evolve as the competition progresses.
Round One: This is where the cup journey begins. It features all 72 clubs from the Championship, League One, and League Two. The draw is regionalized into a “North” and “South” section to minimize travel for supporters in the early stages. This round often produces the first upsets, as lower-league teams face off.
Round Two: The 35 winners from Round One are joined by the 13 Premier League clubs who are not participating in European competitions (Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League). This round is also regionalized into North and South sections.
Round Three: This is a pivotal moment in the competition. The 24 winners from Round Two are joined by the nine Premier League clubs competing in Europe. From this point on, the draw is no longer regionalized, meaning any team can be drawn against any other team.
Round Four and Five: As the competition narrows, the draws become more straightforward, with all remaining clubs facing each other in an open draw.
Semi-Finals: The final four clubs are drawn against each other. Unlike all previous rounds, the semi-finals are played over two legs—one match at each team’s home ground. This format adds a layer of tactical depth and drama, as teams must navigate both a home and away fixture.
Final: The final is a single match played at Wembley Stadium, a highly-coveted venue that adds to the prestige of the competition.
How the Draw Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process of the Carabao Cup draw is a carefully choreographed event designed to ensure fairness and add to the spectacle.
Preparation: Before the draw, the English Football League (EFL) confirms the ball numbers for each participating club. These numbers are often announced on the day of the draw to build excitement.
The Pots: The balls, each representing a club, are placed into one or more pots. In the early regionalized rounds, there will be a “northern” and “southern” pot. In later rounds, particularly for the third round, a more complex system may be used to manage the entry of European-competing teams.
The Draw Ceremony: The draw is typically conducted live on television. A host from the broadcaster is joined by one or two guests, often former players or celebrities. The first club drawn is the home team, and the second club drawn is the away team. This process is repeated until all ties are determined.
Special Considerations (Round Three): In recent seasons, the EFL has had to implement additional rules for the Round Three draw to avoid fixture congestion for clubs playing in European competitions. This may involve a “pre-draw” to determine home and away status for European teams, followed by a main draw where they are matched against non-European teams. This ensures that a team playing in the Champions League on a Tuesday, for example, is not drawn against another European-qualifying team that has a Europa League fixture on the following Thursday.
Recent Trends and Developments (2025)
The 2024-25 season saw some notable trends in the Carabao Cup that continue to shape the competition. The most significant of these is the impact of European football’s expanded calendar.
Fixture Congestion: The new formats for the Champions League and Europa League have created a more crowded schedule for top-tier clubs. This has led the EFL to split Carabao Cup third-round fixtures across two separate weeks, allowing European-bound clubs to play their domestic cup ties without clashing with their European commitments. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
The Rise of the Underdog: The early rounds of the competition continue to be a hotbed for “giant-killings.” For example, the 2024-25 Carabao Cup saw League Two’s Grimsby Town sensationally knock out Premier League side Manchester United in a penalty shootout. Such moments are crucial to the competition’s identity and attract significant media and fan attention.
Media Coverage: The Carabao Cup draw remains a significant television event. Sky Sports holds the rights in the UK and broadcasts the draws live, often in a studio setting. This live broadcast adds to the drama and ensures that fans are kept up-to-date with the latest fixtures as they are announced.
Real-Life Examples: The Drama of the Draw
The Carabao Cup draw has a rich history of creating memorable moments.
The “North London Derby” Draw: Drawing bitter rivals Tottenham and Arsenal against each other in the early stages of the competition is always a headline-grabbing event. This provides an exciting spectacle and a high-pressure match, often before the league season has even hit its stride.
The Long-Distance Trip: The non-regionalized draws can create fascinating logistics. A club like Plymouth Argyle from the south of England being drawn against Newcastle United in the far north creates a huge logistical challenge for traveling fans, but also makes for an epic away day.
FAQs
When do the Premier League teams enter the Carabao Cup?
Premier League clubs enter the competition at either the Second or Third Round. The nine clubs that have qualified for UEFA competitions (Champions League, Europa League, etc.) receive a bye to the Third Round. The remaining Premier League clubs enter in the Second Round.
Is the Carabao Cup draw always live?
Yes, the draws for each round of the Carabao Cup are typically broadcast live on television, with Sky Sports holding the rights in the UK. This adds to the excitement and allows fans to find out their team’s opponents in real time.
What happens if a draw is a tie?
The Carabao Cup is a knockout competition, so a tie is not possible. Matches that are level after 90 minutes go straight to a penalty shootout to determine a winner, except for the semi-finals which have two legs.
Are the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup two-legged?
Yes, the semi-finals are the only round of the Carabao Cup that is played over two legs—one at each team’s home stadium. The winner is determined by the aggregate score across both matches.
What is the prize for winning the Carabao Cup?
The winner of the Carabao Cup is awarded a trophy and a place in the following season’s UEFA Europa League. This prize makes the competition a valuable target for clubs looking to secure European football.
Final Thoughts
The Carabao Cup draw is far more than a simple administrative process. It is the heartbeat of a competition that is celebrated for its unpredictability and its ability to deliver unforgettable moments. While the format has adapted to the changing landscape of modern football, the essential drama of the random draw remains. It’s a moment of collective anticipation, hope, and excitement that reminds fans that in cup football, anything is possible. From the lowest-ranked teams to the Premier League giants, the draw is the starting point on a challenging, and potentially glorious, road to Wembley.
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