EFL Cup games 2025 – watch all Carabao Cup fixtures and matches today!
EFL Cup fixtures 2025? Who are the teams left in EFL Cup? What have the results been in EFL Cup 2025?
The EFL Cup is one of the oldest English cup competitions. It is the main English FA knockout tournament next to the English Premier League.
The EFL Cup, the Carabao Cup, is an annual football cup competition for English football teams. The historical name is Football League Cup. Watch & Bet here =>
What time are EFL Cup fixtures released today?
In the quarter-finals, Chelsea defeated Cardiff City, Manchester City beat Brentford, and Newcastle United edged Fulham to book their spot in the last four.
The outstanding tie of Arsenal vs Crystal Palace was scheduled for 23 December 2025, with the winner advancing to the semis.
For the semi-finals, the draw set up two intriguing ties: Newcastle United vs Manchester City and Chelsea vs Arsenal.
These will be played over two legs, with first legs in the week beginning 12 January 2026 and second legs in the week beginning 2 February 2026. All matches are broadcast on Sky Sports
Carabao Cup Semi Final fixtures
The 2025–26 Carabao Cup quarter-finals are scheduled for the week commencing 15 December 2025.
At this stage of the knockout competition, eight clubs remain and they will contest single-leg ties. Progressing through yields a semi-final berth (which in this competition is two-legged).
Chelsea vs Arsenal – Carabao Cup Semi-Final
Chelsea have secured their place in the last four of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup after a strong quarter-final performance, and their next test is a compelling London derby in the semi-final.
They’ll face either Arsenal or Crystal Palace, depending on who wins the remaining quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on 23 December 2025 — with that result determining the Blues’ opponent.
Chelsea will host the first leg at Stamford Bridge in the week beginning 12 January 2026, aiming to take the advantage in this two-leg tie.
The return leg is scheduled for the week beginning 2 February 2026, giving both sides a chance to overturn or cement their position over 180 minutes of high-stakes cup football.
The winner of this semi will progress to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, set for March 2026.
Carabao Cup semi-finalists ✊ pic.twitter.com/tS45VRI97C
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 17, 2025
Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Carabao Cup Semi-Final
In the 2025-26 Carabao Cup semi-final, Newcastle United will host Manchester City in the first leg of this two-leg tie, with the return scheduled at the Etihad Stadium in the week beginning 2 February 2026.
The Magpies earned their place in this last-four showdown after a dramatic 2-1 win over Fulham in the quarter-finals, sealed by a late Lewis Miley header. Meanwhile, Man City progressed with a convincing 2-0 victory over Brentford at home.
This tie pits one of English football’s most storied cup holders against a club relentless in all competitions.
Newcastle, currently reigning Carabao Cup champions, will look to leverage their home advantage at St James’ Park, while City, aiming to add another trophy under Pep Guardiola, bring strong attacking depth and tactical experience.
With both legs crucial for aggregate success, this semi-final promises intense, high-quality football as each side pursues a place in the Wembley final.
EFL Cup fixtures this week
Here are some standout EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) fixtures this week (mid-December 2025):
EFL Cup Semi-Finals
Who is in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup?
Here are the teams **currently in the semi-finals of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup (EFL Cup):
- Newcastle United
- Manchester City
- Chelsea
- Arsenal
In the quarter-finals, Chelsea beat Cardiff City 3-1 to advance, while Manchester City secured a 2-0 win over Brentford, and Newcastle United edged Fulham 2-1 with a late goal.
The tie between Arsenal and Crystal Palace was big drama match as the match went on to penalties with 8-7.
The semi-finals will be two-legged affairs, with first legs in the week beginning 12 January 2026 and return legs in the week beginning 2 February 2026.
2025 Carabao Cup Games
The EFL Cup is known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, was first held in the 1960/61 season. The tournament is played across seven rounds with single-leg ties until the semi-finals.
Who qualifies for the EFL Cup?
The EFL Cup is one of the most inclusive major trophies in English football, featuring all 92 professional clubs from the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL).
Here is a detailed breakdown of how teams enter the competition across the various rounds:
Preliminary Round (70 teams): This round includes the lowest-ranked teams from the previous season—specifically, the two lowest-finishing teams in League Two and the newly promoted teams from the National League. They play the first matches of the season to enter the next round.
Round One (72 teams): This is the first round for the vast majority of clubs. It includes:
All teams from League One (24 teams).
All teams from League Two (24 teams).
And the majority of the Championship (24 teams). The exceptions are the clubs involved in European competition, who enter later.
Round Two (50 teams): The winners from Round One are joined by:
The Premier League clubs that are not participating in any European competitions (UEFA Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League).
Round Three (32 teams): This is the stage where the country’s elite clubs join the fray. The winners from Round Two are joined by:
The seven Premier League clubs involved in European competitions. For the 2025/26 season, this includes Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and others who qualified through their league or cup positions.
From the Third Round onward, the tournament continues in a straight knockout format (Round of 32 -> Round of 16 -> Quarter-Finals -> Semi-Finals -> Final) until a champion is crowned.
Broadcast Information
The semi-finals will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and the official EFL website. Fans can also follow live updates and highlights on social media platforms and dedicated sports news websites.
Also you can check EFL cup final 2025 Live stream
EFL Cup Fixtures Today
At the moment, there are no scheduled Carabao Cup matches listed as “live today” on major fixture trackers — but you can always refresh live score pages for any late-kickoff updates.
Next EFL Cup fixtures will be the semi-finals, played over two legs in early January and February 2026.
Here’s a recent Carabao Cup fixtures from this round:
2025/26 Carabao Cup Semi-Final Fixtures
First Leg (January 12–14, 2026):
Chelsea vs Arsenal (first leg)
Newcastle United vs Manchester City (first leg)
Second Leg (February 2–4, 2026):
Arsenal vs Chelsea (second leg)
Manchester City vs Newcastle United (second leg)
These ties will determine the two finalists who will meet later in the competition’s climax
Which teams are in semifinals of the Carabao Cup?
For the 2025–26 Carabao Cup (EFL Cup), the four teams that have reached the semi-finals are:
Carabao Cup 2025/26 Semifinalists
Chelsea – Confirmed their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a convincing 3–1 win over Cardiff City, showcasing their attacking depth and tactical edge.
The Blues now target silverware as they prepare for a tough semi-final tie.
Manchester City – Advanced to the last four with a 2–0 victory over Brentford, a performance highlighted by dynamic attacking play and controlled possession. Pep Guardiola’s side remain one of the leading favourites for the trophy.
Newcastle United – The holders secured their semifinal spot by beating Fulham 2–1, with a late winner keeping their hopes of defending the EFL Cup alive. Their consistent knockout form makes them dangerous opponents.
Arsenal – Progressed after an enthralling 1–1 draw with Crystal Palace, ultimately winning 8–7 on penalties thanks to a decisive spot-kick save. The Gunners will face Chelsea in a mouth-watering semi-final showdown.
These four teams now await the two-legged semi-finals, with Chelsea vs Arsenal and Newcastle United vs Manchester City set to decide the finalists for the March 2026 Wembley showdown
Carabao Cup Fixtures for Today
At the moment there are no Carabao Cup matches scheduled for today — the quarter-finals have already been completed, and the competition now moves on to the semi-final stage in early January and February 2026.
You can check live scores or fixture updates on sites like Flashscore or the EFL Cup fixtures page.
Semi-Final – First Leg
Chelsea vs Arsenal – January 12, 2026 (TV: Sky Sports / Paramount+)
Newcastle United vs Manchester City – January 12, 2026 (TV: Sky Sports / Paramount+)
Semi-Final – Second Leg
Arsenal vs Chelsea – February 2, 2026
Manchester City vs Newcastle United – February 2, 2026
These ties will decide who progresses to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium later in the season.
2025 EFL Cup Fixtures & Results
The EFL Cup fixtures 2025 have supported the Premier League teams to play full sides.
Unlike in England, where the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and the Premier League are simultaneously played in full flow in December and January and February.
Moreover, when the EFL Cup fixtures are played, the Premier League matches are either mostly on break or spread a week apart to give the teams enough rest.
Here check out the EFL Cup fixtures from round one to the final and the dates!
EFL Cup First Round Fixtures & Results
Here are the EFL Cup First Round fixtures and results:
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Aug | Accrington Stanley | 3–1 | Oldham Athletic | Accrington W |
| 12 Aug | Swansea | 3–0 | Crawley Town (Red) | Swansea W |
| 13 Aug | Newport County | 0–1 | Millwall | Millwall W |
| 13 Aug | Barrow | 0–1 | Preston | Preston W |
| 13 Aug | Middlesbrough | 0–4 | Doncaster | Doncaster W |
| 13 Aug | Stockport | 3–1 | Crewe Alexandra | Stockport W |
| 13 Aug | Oxford Utd | 1–0 | Colchester | Oxford Utd W |
| 13 Aug | Coventry | 1–0 | Luton Town | Coventry W |
| 13 Aug | Harrogate Town | 1–3 | Lincoln City | Lincoln W |
| 13 Aug | Gillingham | 1 (2) | AFC Wimbledon 1(4) | AFC Wimbledon W (P) |
| 13 Aug | Salford City | 0 (2) | Rotherham 0 (3) | Rotherham W (P) |
| 13 Aug | Chesterfield | 0–2 | Mansfield Town | Mansfield W |
| 13 Aug | Wrexham | 3 (5) | Hull City 3 (3) | Wrexham W (P) |
| 13 Aug | Plymouth Argyle | 3–2 | QPR | Plymouth W |
| 13 Aug | Charlton | 3–1 | Stevenage | Charlton W |
| 13 Aug | Bristol City | 2–0 | MK Dons | Bristol City W |
| 13 Aug | Blackburn Rovers | 1–2 | Bradford City | Bradford W |
| 13 Aug | Northampton Town | 0–1 | Southampton | Southampton W |
| 13 Aug | Leyton Orient | 0–1 | Wycombe | Wycombe W |
| 13 Aug | Watford | 1–2 | Norwich City | Norwich W |
| 13 Aug | West Brom | 1 (2) | Derby 1 (3) | Derby W (P) |
| 13 Aug | Grimsby Town | 3–1 | Shrewsbury | Grimsby W |
| 13 Aug | Bristol Rovers | 0–2 | Cambridge United | Cambridge W |
| 13 Aug | Portsmouth | 1–2 | Reading | Reading W |
| 13 Aug | Cardiff City | 2–1 | Swindon Town | Cardiff W |
| 13 Aug | Wigan Athletic | 1–0 | Notts County | Wigan W |
| 13 Aug | Accrington Stanley | 2–1 | Peterborough | Accrington W |
| 13 Aug | Stoke City | 0 (4) | Walsall 0 (3) | Stoke W (P) |
| 13 Aug | Blackpool | 0–1 | Port Vale | Port Vale W |
| 13 Aug | Bromley | 1 (5) | Ipswich Town 1 (4) | Bromley W (P) |
| 14 Aug | Cheltenham | 2–0 | Exeter City | Cheltenham W |
| 14 Aug | Bolton (Red 3) | 3 (2) | Sheff Wed 3 (4) | Sheff Wed W (P) |
| 14 Aug | Barnsley | 2 (5) | Fleetwood 2 (4) | Barnsley W (P) |
| 14 Aug | Huddersfield | 2 (3) | Leicester 2 (2) | Huddersfield W (P) |
| 14 Aug | Birmingham | 2–1 | Sheff Utd | Birmingham W |
| 20 Aug | Tranmere | 1 (4) | Burton 1 (5) | Burton W (P) |
Here are the EFL Cup Second Round fixtures and results:
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Aug | Reading | 2–1 | AFC Wimbledon | Reading W |
| 27 Aug | Cambridge United | 3–0 | Charlton (Red) | Cambridge W |
| 27 Aug | Wolves | 3–2 | West Ham | Wolves W |
| 27 Aug | Barnsley | 2–1 | Rotherham | Barnsley W |
| 27 Aug | Preston | 2–3 | Wrexham | Wrexham W |
| 27 Aug | Wigan Athletic | 1–0 | Stockport | Wigan W |
| 27 Aug | Swansea | 1 (5) | Plymouth 1 (3) | Swansea W (P) |
| 27 Aug | Bournemouth (Red) | 0–2 | Brentford | Brentford W |
| 27 Aug | Birmingham | 0–1 | Port Vale | Port Vale W |
| 27 Aug | Accrington | 0–2 | Doncaster | Doncaster W |
| 27 Aug | Cardiff City | 3–0 | Cheltenham | Cardiff W |
| 27 Aug | Bromley | 1 (4) | Wycombe 1 (5) | Wycombe W (P) |
| 27 Aug | Burnley | 2–1 | Derby County | Burnley W |
| 27 Aug | Norwich City | 0–3 | Southampton | Southampton W |
| 27 Aug | Sunderland | 1 (5) | Huddersfield 1(6) | Huddersfield W (P) |
| 27 Aug | Burton | 0–1 | Lincoln City | Lincoln W |
| 27 Aug | Stoke City | 0–3 | Bradford City | Bradford W |
| 27 Aug | Sheff Wednesday | 1 (3) | Leeds 1 (0) | Sheff Wed W (P) |
| 27 Aug | Millwall | 2–1 | Coventry | Millwall W |
| 28 Aug | Fulham | 2–0 | Bristol City | Fulham W |
| 28 Aug | Everton | 2–0 | Mansfield Town | Everton W |
| 28 Aug | Oxford Utd | 0–6 | Brighton | Brighton W |
| 28 Aug | Grimsby Town | 2-2 (12-11 P) | Man United | Grimsby Town W (P) |
EFL Cup Third Round Fixtures & Results
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Sep | Sheffield Wednesday | 0-1 | Grimsby Town | Grimsby Town W |
| 16 Sep | Brentford | 1-1 (4-2 pens) | Aston Villa | Brentford W (P) |
| 16 Sep | Crystal Palace | 1-1 (4-2 pens) | Millwall | Crystal Palace W (P) |
| 17 Sep | Swansea City | 3-2 | Nottingham Forest | Swansea City W |
| 23 Sep | Barnsley | 0-6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Brighton & Hove Albion W |
| 23 Sep | Burnley | 1-2 | Cardiff City | Cardiff City W |
| 23 Sep | Fulham | 1-0 | Cambridge United | Fulham W |
| 23 Sep | Lincoln City | 1-2 | Chelsea | Chelsea W |
| 23 Sep | Wigan Athletic | 0-2 | Wycombe Wanderers | Wycombe Wanderers W |
| 23 Sep | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2-0 | Everton | Wolverhampton Wanderers W |
| 23 Sep | Wrexham | 2-0 | Reading | Wrexham W |
| 23 Sep | Liverpool | 2-1 | Southampton | Liverpool W |
| 24 Sep | Huddersfield Town | 0-2 | Manchester City | Manchester City W |
| 24 Sep | Newcastle United | 4-1 | Bradford City | Newcastle United W |
| 24 Sep | Tottenham Hotspur | 3-0 | Doncaster Rovers | Tottenham Hotspur W |
| 24 Sep | Port Vale | 0-2 | Arsenal | Arsenal W |
EFL Cup Fourth Round Fixtures & Results
Here are the EFL Cup Fourth Round fixtures and results:
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Oct | Grimsby Town | 0-5 | Brentford |
| 28 Oct | Wycombe Wanderers | 1-1 (4-5 P) | Fulham |
| 28 Oct | Wrexham | 1-2 | Cardiff City |
| 29 Oct | Liverpool | 3-0 | Crystal Palace |
| 29 Oct | Swansea City | 1-3 | Manchester City |
| 29 Oct | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3-4 | Chelsea |
| 29 Oct | Newcastle United | 2-0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 29 Oct | Arsenal | 2-0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
2025 EFL Cup Quarter-Finals Fixtures & Results
The quarter-finals will bring together the top eight clubs from the competition, battling for a place in the last four. Fixtures and results will be updated here once the round concludes.
Here are the confirmed 2025–26 EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) Quarter-Finals Fixtures & Results:
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 2025 | Cardiff City | 1–3 | Chelsea |
| 17 Dec 2025 | Manchester City | 2–0 | Brentford |
| 17 Dec 2025 | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Fulham |
| 23 Dec 2025* | Arsenal | 1–1 (8-7 on Penalties) | Crystal Palace |
Chelsea beat Cardiff City 3–1 to progress to the semi-finals.
Manchester City secured a 2–0 win over Brentford.
Newcastle United edged Fulham 2–1 with a late goal.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace won over Crytsal Palace on penalties.
2025 EFL Cup Semi-Finals Fixtures & Results
The semi-finals of the EFL Cup will be played over two legs, with four teams competing for a spot at Wembley. Match details and results will be added after completion.
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 12 2026 | Chelsea | – | Arsenal |
| Jan 12 2026 | Newcastle United | – | Manchester City |
| Feb 2 2026 | Arsenal | – | Chelsea |
| Feb 2 2026 | Manchester City | – | Newcastle United |
The first legs are scheduled for the week beginning 12 January 2026, with Chelsea hosting the winner of Arsenal, and Newcastle United hosting Manchester City.
The second legs are set for the week beginning 2 February 2026, with return ties at the Emirates/Palace venue and the Etihad Stadium respectively.
2025 EFL Cup Final
The EFL Cup Final will be held at Wembley Stadium, where the two best teams will fight for the trophy. Fixture and result updates will appear here once the finalists are decided.
Also, check out –
- EFL Cup Final Live Stream
- The Carabao Cup Official Website
- EFL Cup 2025 Prize Money
- EFL Cup Winners List
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