When English Football League (EFL) posted its latest update on August 13, 2025, fans across the country got a clear picture of the 2025‑26 Carabao Cup second‑round schedule. The draw, made public on the league’s website at 13:00 BST, slots 16 matches between August 25 and August 27, with the bulk of the action hitting Tuesday, August 26. Premier League heavyweights join at this stage, while clubs still juggling European commitments sit out until the third round.
Overview of the Draw and Key Figures
The ceremony was streamed live and featured former Preston North End boss Phil Parkinson pulling the numbered balls. Among the highlighted fixtures, two name‑recognition clashes grabbed headlines: Manchester United will travel to Grimsby Town, with Ruben Amorim confirmed as the United manager for the encounter, and Everton face Mansfield Town, guided by veteran coach Nigel Clough. Both managers emphasized the “cup magic” that can turn a routine league night into a night to remember.
Northern Section Matchups
The northern half of the draw pits a mix of Championship, League One and two sides against each other. Here’s the rundown:
- Accrington Stanley vs. Doncaster Rovers – both clubs looking to spring a surprise early in the tournament.
- Everton vs. Mansfield Town – a Premier League side versus a League Two outfit, with Clough hoping "to give our fans a night out at Goodison that they’ll never forget".
- Manchester United vs. Grimsby Town – Amorim said, "We take every opponent seriously, especially in a knockout where anything can happen".
- Preston North End vs. Exeter City – the draw was mistakenly announced as “Rexom” due to an audio slip, but the clubs are set for a classic mid‑table duel.
- Rotherham United vs. either Barnsley (League One) or Fleetwood Town (League Two) – the tie will be decided after the preliminary round resolves the opponent.
- Leeds United vs. either Bolton Wanderers or Sheffield Wednesday – another match awaiting a resolution from the earlier play‑off.
The northern fixtures all kick off on August 26, with kickoff times ranging from 14:00 BST to 20:00 BST, allowing television fans to catch multiple games.
Southern Section Matchups
Down south, the draw offers several high‑profile clashes:
- Reading vs. AFC Wimbledon – a south‑east derby that could see a surprise upset.
- Cambridge United vs. Charlton Athletic – both clubs eager to progress beyond the early rounds.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Ham United – a Premier League showdown that may set the tone for the rest of the cup.
- Bournemouth vs. Brentford – two top‑flight sides meeting for the first time in the competition.
- Bromley vs. Wycombe Wanderers – a League Two versus League One tie.
- Cardiff City vs. Cheltenham Town – a Welsh side against an English lower‑league club.
- Millwall vs. Coventry City – both clubs have rich cup histories.
- Norwich City vs. Southampton – a clash of former Premier League regulars.
- Swansea City vs. Plymouth Argyle – a South‑West battle on a Tuesday night.
- Fulham vs. Bristol City – a London‑west derby with a lot at stake.
- Oxford United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion – the first meeting between a League One side and a top‑six Premier League club this season.
All southern ties are slated for August 26, with the earliest kickoff at 13:00 BST and the latest at 21:00 BST, giving broadcasters a packed schedule.
Competition Format, Historical Context and Recent Highlights
The Caraboo Cup follows the classic EFL Cup structure: first two rounds are split geographically, each fixture is a single‑leg knockout, and the semi‑finals revert to a two‑leg format. The tournament concludes with the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Last season’s final delivered drama – Newcastle United broke a 70‑year trophy drought by beating Liverpool 2‑1. Liverpool still holds the record with ten titles, while Manchester City and Manchester United occupy the second and third spots with eight and six wins respectively.
The 2025‑26 edition also marks the third time a preliminary round is required, a rarity seen only in 2002‑03 and 2011‑12. This year, newly‑promoted National League sides and the lowest‑ranked League Two clubs contest two early fixtures in the week commencing August 4, 2025, to earn a place in Round One.
What’s Next: Upcoming Rounds and the Road to Wembley
Round One sticks to the week of August 11, giving clubs a quick turnaround from the preliminaries. The third round splits into two weeks – starting September 15 and September 22 – when clubs involved in European competition finally join the fray.
Quarter‑finals are expected in late October, with the semi‑finals scheduled for early February 2026. Those two‑leg ties often produce the most memorable moments, as teams balance home‑field advantage against the pressure of an aggregate score.
Fans should keep an eye on the scheduling board; TV rights holder Sky Sports has promised live coverage of every second‑round match, while regional broadcasters will pick up the late‑night ties.
Key Facts
- Second‑round fixtures announced: August 13, 2025.
- Matches played: week of August 25‑27, 2025 (majority on August 26).
- Premier League clubs (except European participants) enter at this stage.
- Final venue: Wembley Stadium, March 22, 2026.
- Historical note: Newcastle United ended a 70‑year trophy drought in the 2025 final.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Caraboo Cup format affect lower‑league teams?
The geographic split in the first two rounds reduces travel costs for League One and Two clubs, while the single‑leg knockout gives them a realistic chance of a surprise upset against higher‑division opponents.
Why are some Premier League clubs exempt until the third round?
Clubs competing in UEFA competitions receive a bye to protect their fixture congestion and to reward their European commitments, a rule that’s been in place since the early 1990s.
When and where can fans watch the second‑round matches?
Sky Sports will broadcast every second‑round game live. Regional networks such as BT Sport and local club streams will also carry select fixtures, especially those kicking off after 18:00 BST.
What does Newcastle United’s 2025 triumph mean for the competition?
Their win broke a seven‑decade drought and highlighted the cup’s reputation for delivering unexpected champions, reinforcing its status as a platform for historic moments.
Who are the likely dark horses for the 2025‑26 Cup?
Clubs like Brentford, who have been punching above their weight in the league, and Grimsby Town, who host Manchester United in the second round, are tipped to cause at least one upset.
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Can you feel the buzz? The Carabao Cup second round is shaping up to be an absolute roller‑coaster, especially with United popping up at Grimsby and Everton heading to Mansfield. This is the kind of magic that turns a regular Tuesday night into a festival for us die‑hard fans. Grab your scarves, set your alarms, and get ready to shout at the telly – every kickoff could be a story we’ll be telling for months.