Carabao Cup fixtures 2026/27: First-round schedule & TV
The 2026/27 Carabao Cup gets the English domestic season underway with a new-look opening weekend. Instead of the traditional midweek start, the EFL has moved the first round to 7-9 August, giving clubs extra recovery time before the Football League season begins.
Every first-round tie will be available to watch live on Sky Sports or Sky Sports+, with selected fixtures also broadcast on free-to-air television. If you’re planning to have a bet on the opening round, check out the latest betting bonuses before kick-off.
Below you’ll find the complete fixture list, kick-off times, TV coverage, results and what comes next in the competition.
Carabao Cup first-round fixtures
Friday 7 August
| Fixture | Kick-off | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol City vs Walsall | 7:45pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Middlesbrough vs Wrexham | 8:00pm | Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports+ |
Saturday 8 August
| Fixture | Kick-off | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge United vs Barnet | 1:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| QPR vs Millwall | 2:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Gillingham vs Luton Town | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Cardiff City vs Swindon Town | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Bristol Rovers vs Peterborough United | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Watford vs York City or Crawley Town | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Norwich City vs MK Dons | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Leyton Orient vs Oxford United | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Wycombe Wanderers vs Stevenage | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Bromley vs Reading | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Swansea City vs Birmingham City | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| West Ham United vs Portsmouth | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| AFC Wimbledon vs Newport County | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Leicester City vs Northampton Town | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Barnsley vs Wigan Athletic | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Mansfield Town vs Sheffield United | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Stockport County vs Doncaster Rovers | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Sheffield Wednesday vs Bolton Wanderers | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Fleetwood Town vs Chesterfield | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Crewe Alexandra vs Accrington Stanley | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Stoke City vs Oldham Athletic | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Port Vale | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Burnley vs Notts County | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Derby County vs Lincoln City | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Bradford City vs Tranmere Rovers or Rochdale | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Burton Albion vs Blackburn Rovers | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Salford City vs Shrewsbury Town | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Grimsby Town vs Blackpool | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Preston North End vs Huddersfield Town | 3:00pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Cheltenham vs Charlton | 5:30pm | Sky Sports+ |
| Colchester United vs Southampton | 5:30pm | Sky Sports Football |
| Rotherham United vs West Bromwich Albion | 5:30pm | Sky Sports+ |
Monday 10 August
| Fixture | Kick-off | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Argyle vs Exeter City | 8:00pm | Sky Sports Football |
Carabao Cup results
Friday 7 August
- Bristol City vs Walsall – Result to follow
- Middlesbrough vs Wrexham – Result to follow
Saturday 8 August
Monday 10 August
Which Carabao Cup matches are on TV?
Sky Sports holds the exclusive live UK broadcast rights for the Carabao Cup, with every first-round fixture available through Sky Sports or Sky Sports+.
The headline televised fixtures include:
- Middlesbrough vs Wrexham
- Colchester United vs Southampton
- Plymouth Argyle vs Exeter City
Why is the first round being played on a weekend?
The EFL has moved the opening round to the weekend to reduce fixture congestion at the start of the season.
Playing the ties before the opening EFL league fixtures gives clubs additional recovery time and avoids three competitive matches in the first week of the campaign.
Who will the winners face?
The winners will progress to the Carabao Cup second round, scheduled for the week commencing 24 August 2026.
Premier League clubs not involved in European competition enter at this stage, while clubs competing in UEFA competitions join the tournament in later rounds.
Betting preview
The opening round often produces competitive fixtures between Championship, League One and League Two clubs, making it one of the most interesting weekends for football bettors.
Popular betting markets include:
- Match Winner
- Both Teams To Score
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals
- Anytime Goalscorer
- Bet Builders
Check out the latest free bet offers from leading UK bookmakers before placing your Carabao Cup wagers.
