The 2025-26 Carabao Cup will introduce a preliminary round to manage the increased number of Premier League clubs participating in European competitions. This adjustment aims to streamline the tournament by reducing the number of clubs in the first two rounds.

Key Changes:

• Preliminary Round Participants: The round will include the two teams promoted from the National League and the two clubs that finished 21st and 22nd in League Two.
• Regional Separation: Teams will be divided regionally, with Accrington Stanley facing Oldham Athletic and Barnet taking on Newport County.
• Draw Details: The home sides for these ties will be determined during the first-round draw on 26 June at 16:30 BST.

Tournament Structure:

• Round One: All EFL clubs, except those eliminated in the preliminary round, will participate.
• Round Two: The 11 Premier League teams not in European competitions will enter.
• Round Three: The nine Premier League teams qualified for European competitions—Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace—will join.

Fixture Dates:

• Preliminary Round: Week commencing 4 August 2025
• Round One: Week commencing 11 August 2025
• Round Two: Week commencing 25 August 2025
• Round Three: Split between weeks commencing 15 September and 22 September 2025 to accommodate Champions League and Europa League participants.
• Round Four: Week commencing 27 October 2025
• Round Five: Week commencing 15 December 2025
• Semi-Final First Leg: Week commencing 12 January 2026
• Semi-Final Second Leg: Week commencing 2 February 2026
• Final: Sunday, 22 March 2026

This new structure ensures that the Carabao Cup remains a competitive and well-organized tournament, balancing the demands of domestic and European football.