Carabao Cup penalty shootout rules: is there extra time in the first round?
If you’re planning to watch or bet on a Carabao Cup tie, understanding the competition’s format is essential. Whether you’re taking advantage of the latest free bets or simply following your club, knowing what happens after 90 minutes can make all the difference. In most Carabao Cup matches, teams go straight to penalties if the score is level after normal time, with no extra time played.
Unlike some other knockout competitions, the Carabao Cup uses different tie-breaking rules depending on the stage of the tournament. Here’s everything you need to know.
Does the Carabao Cup go straight to penalties?
Yes. From the First Round through to the Quarter-finals, any match that is level after 90 minutes is decided immediately by a penalty shootout. There is no extra time during these rounds, a rule introduced by the EFL to help reduce fixture congestion during the domestic season.
Carabao Cup extra time rules by round
| Round | Extra time? | Penalties? |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Second Round | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Third Round | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Fourth Round | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Quarter-finals | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Semi-final (second leg only) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Final | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
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Why is there no extra time in the early rounds?
The EFL removed extra time from the early rounds to reduce player workload and ease fixture congestion. With Championship, League One and League Two clubs already playing a demanding domestic schedule, going straight to penalties helps avoid unnecessary fatigue while keeping the competition moving efficiently.
When does extra time return?
Extra time is only used in the second leg of the semi-finals. If the aggregate score is level after 90 minutes of the second leg:
- 30 minutes of extra time are played.
- If the teams still cannot be separated, the tie is decided by penalties.
The Carabao Cup Final follows the traditional knockout format. If the score is level after 90 minutes at Wembley:
- 30 minutes of extra time are played.
- If the scores remain level, a penalty shootout determines the winner.
How many substitutions are allowed?
Under the official EFL Cup regulations, clubs may:
- name up to nine substitutes on the bench;
- use up to five substitutions during normal time;
- make those changes across three substitution opportunities (half-time does not count as one of the three windows).
If a semi-final second leg or the final goes to extra time, each team is allowed:
- one additional substitution;
- one extra substitution opportunity during extra time.
Why these rules matter for betting
Understanding the competition format can help you choose the right betting market.
For example:
- Match Result markets are settled after 90 minutes only.
- Team to Qualify markets include the outcome of penalty shootouts.
- Live betting opportunities often increase when knockout ties approach penalties.
- Many bookmakers also offer Method of Qualification and Penalty Shootout markets for Carabao Cup fixtures.
Knowing whether a match can go to extra time is especially important before placing knockout bets.
