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Carabao Cup

The Carabao Cup is the current sponsored name of the English Football League Cup, an annual knockout football competition in England.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Carabao Cup is the current sponsored name of the English Football League Cup, an annual knockout football competition in England. It is open to clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League, with 92 teams eligible in total. The competition has been sponsored by the Thai energy drink brand Carabao since 2017.

History

The competition began in 1960 as the League Cup and later became known as the EFL Cup. Its current name, the Carabao Cup, comes from the title sponsorship held by Carabao since 2017.

Format

The tournament is a knockout event played during the league season. Most rounds are single matches, the semi-finals are played over two legs, and tied matches usually go directly to penalties.

Qualification and entry

All clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League are eligible, but they enter at different stages depending on league position and European competition involvement. This creates a staggered draw across the early rounds.

Final

The final is typically held at Wembley Stadium. It is usually played in late February, though some schedules place it in March.

Key facts

  • The Carabao Cup is the EFL Cup under a sponsorship name.
  • It is open to 92 teams from the Premier League and English Football League.
  • The tournament is a knockout competition with one-legged ties in most rounds and two-legged semi-finals.
  • Matches level after 90 minutes go straight to penalties.
  • The final is typically at Wembley Stadium in February or March.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the Carabao Cup through English football coverage, Canadian sports broadcasters, and Canadian players who compete in or against EFL and Premier League clubs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Carabao Cup?
The Carabao Cup is the sponsored name of the English Football League Cup, an annual knockout competition for clubs in England’s top four men’s leagues.
Who won the Carabao Cup in 2024?
Liverpool won the 2024 Carabao Cup final.
How does the Carabao Cup work?
It is a knockout tournament open to 92 clubs, with teams entering at different rounds. Most ties are one match, semi-finals are two legs, and draws after 90 minutes go to penalties.
What is the Carabao Cup format?
The format is a midweek knockout competition across the season, with single-leg ties in most rounds, two-legged semi-finals, and a final at Wembley.
When is the Carabao Cup final?
The final is usually played in February, though some seasons place it in late February or March.
Who sponsors the Carabao Cup?
Carabao, a Thai energy drink brand, sponsors the competition and has held the title sponsorship since 2017.

References

  1. Dear Sports Fan — http://dearsportsfan.com/2018/09/25/what-is-the-carabao-cup/
    Supports: Overview of the competition, eligible teams, timing, penalty shootouts, and sponsorship.
  2. Sporting News — https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/what-carabao-cup-why-it-called-carabao-cup/lppkzeyz8s9dvllfjeatfod7
    Supports: Title sponsor, open-to-clubs description, seven-round format, and typical final timing.
  3. 90min — https://www.90min.com/posts/what-is-the-carabao-cup
    Supports: 92-club eligibility, staggered entry, one-legged ties, two-legged semi-finals, and Wembley final.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EFL_Cup
    Supports: Official naming, annual knockout competition, 92-club eligibility, and sponsor-era information.
  5. Sportmonks — https://www.sportmonks.com/glossary/carabao-cup/
    Supports: Sponsor extension through 2026/27 and format details including entry points and final date.
  6. Match Bingo — https://www.matchbingo.co.uk/blog/what-is-the-carabao-cup-format-rules-and-why-it-matters
    Supports: Knockout format, penalties after 90 minutes, semi-finals over two legs, and Wembley final.
  7. Football7Society — https://www.football7society.com/carabao-cup-guide/
    Supports: History, sponsorship change in 2017, participation, and final venue.