When is the Carabao Cup draw? Start time, ball numbers and TV channel for first-round ties | OneFootball

Only 70 EFL clubs will feature in the first round of the competition due to additional preliminary round

Eyes on the prize: Newcastle are the defending Carabao Cup champions

John Walton/PA Wire

The road to Wembley begins for the clubs in the English Football League as the Carabao Cup first-round draw is held.

As Premier League clubs in Europe do not feature in the Carabao Cup until round three, and there are more top-flight teams competing in UEFA competitions than usual next season, a change has been made to this competition.

A preliminary round will take place in early August, featuring the clubs that finished 21st and 22nd in League Two last season and the two that were promoted from the National League.

It means Accrington Stanley will face Oldham and Barnet take on Newport County for a place in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Once again, clubs will be split into North and South sections for this draw.

When is the Carabao Cup draw?

The draw will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

It is expected to get underway at 4:30pm BST.

How to watch the Carabao Cup draw

TV channel: In the UK, the Carabao Cup draw will be broadcast live on Sky Sports News.

Live stream: Subscribers can tune online in via the Sky Go app.

Carabao Cup draw ball numbers

The ball numbers for the draw have not yet been confirmed.

When will the second-round ties be played?

The first round of fixtures in next season’s Carabao Cup will be played on the week commencing August 11.