Carabao Cup 2025-26 Format: EFL Announcement
The EFL has revolutionized the 2025-26 Carabao Cup format, introducing a preliminary round due to the increase of Premier League teams in European competitions. Accrington Stanley and Newport County will now battle in this initial stage, reshaping their paths in the primary_keyword.The secondary_keyword, competition schedule, has also seen tweaks, with semi-final dates shifted. The draw for home teams will be on June 26, broadcast on Sky Sports News. News Directory 3 is following all developments. This strategic move underscores the EFL’s dedication to competition balance. Discover what’s next for Newport County!
Carabao Cup Format Change Impacts Newport County’s Role
Updated June 13, 2025
The English Football League (EFL) has unveiled a revised format for the 2025-26 Carabao Cup, introducing a preliminary round. This adjustment follows a season where nine Premier League clubs, including reigning champions Newcastle United, secured spots in European competitions.The change aims to balance the competition, typically seeing top-flight teams enter in the second round.
Accrington Stanley and Newport County, finishing 21st and 22nd respectively in League Two, will now compete in this preliminary stage. They will be joined by Barnet and Oldham, returning to the EFL fold.
The EFL will maintain its regionalized approach, splitting the preliminary round into northern and southern sections. Accrington Stanley will face Oldham in the northern bracket, while Newport County will take on Barnet in the southern section. These matches are scheduled for Aug. 5-6.
The draw to determine which teams will host these preliminary ties is set for June 26 at 4:30 p.m. BST. sky Sports News will broadcast the draw live in the United Kingdom. The first-round draw will instantly follow the preliminary round draw.
The EFL also confirmed the dates for each round of the upcoming season. Notably, the first leg of the semi-finals has been pushed back a week, now taking place jan. 13-14, 2026, instead of the season’s opening week as in the previous year. This Carabao cup schedule change impacts the role of all participating teams.
| round | Dates |
|---|---|
| Preliminary | Aug. 5-6 |
| 1 | Aug. 12-13 |
| 2 | Aug. 26-27 |
| 3 | Sept. 15-16 & 23-24 |
| 4 | Oct. 28-29 |
| Quarter-Finals | Dec. 16-17 |
| Semi-Final 1st Leg | Jan. 13-14, 2026 |
| Semi-Final 2nd Leg | Feb.3-4 |
| final | Sunday, March 22 |
What’s next
Teams like Newport County now face an earlier start to their Carabao Cup campaign, adding an extra hurdle in their quest for the trophy. The draw on June 26 will determine their path forward in the competition.