Carabao Cup Kicks Off Early: A New Thursday Tradition Begins

Carabao Cup Kicks Off Early: A New Thursday Tradition Begins

The 2026-27 EFL Cup campaign kicked off on Thursday, 6 August 2026, marking a notable shift in the tournament's scheduling. While traditionally starting on a midweek date, this season's first round will feature 35 ties, with 34 matches taking place between Friday and Monday of the same weekend. This year’s adjustment stems from consultations among EFL clubs, leading to the decision to commence the cup a week before the league seasons officially begin. Originally slated to start on Friday, 7 August, the schedule was altered when Bristol City faced Walsall on the Thursday, prompting an early start for the competition. The change aims to provide players with a more adequate rest period, a contrast to previous seasons where teams often faced a grueling schedule of three matches in quick succession due to the proximity of league fixtures. Historically, there have been some weekend fixtures, notably in 2020, 2021, and a handful in 2012, but this century has not seen a full round of weekend matches, aside from the final. The first round of the Carabao Cup will exclusively feature teams from Championship, League One, and League Two, with Premier League clubs set to join in from the second round onward.

Source: BBC Sport - 2026-08-07