Carabao Cup Final 2026: Date, Venue, Kick-Off Time and Everything to Know

Official Carabao Cup Final Date

The 2026 Carabao Cup final has been officially scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026.

This represents a shift from the traditional late-February date, introduced to accommodate adjustments in the English football calendar.

Venue: Wembley Stadium

As expected, the final will take place at Wembley Stadium in London, widely regarded as the Home of Football.

Wembley will once again provide the iconic backdrop for the first major piece of domestic silverware of the season.

Expected Kick-Off Time

While the EFL has not yet confirmed an official kick-off time, the match is widely expected to start at 4:30pm (GMT).

This timing follows recent broadcasting trends for League Cup finals.

Earlier that day, Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest is scheduled for 2:15pm in the Premier League.

Teams Still in Contention

Only three teams remain in the competition:

• Arsenal – already through to the final after defeating Chelsea 4–2 on aggregate

• Kai Havertz scored the decisive late goal in a 1–0 second-leg win at the Emirates

• Manchester City – hold a 2–0 advantage over Newcastle United ahead of the second leg

• Newcastle United – aiming to overturn the deficit and defend their title

The final opponent for Arsenal will be decided after the Manchester City vs Newcastle return leg at the Etihad Stadium.

TV Coverage

Fans in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the Carabao Cup final live on Sky Sports.

Sky Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights to the competition and is expected to provide:

• Extended pre-match build-up

• Live coverage from Wembley

• Post-match analysis and trophy presentation

Ticket Information

Tickets for the final will be distributed primarily through the two finalist clubs once both teams are confirmed.

Supporters are strongly advised to:

• Buy only via official club channels

• Avoid unauthorised resale platforms to prevent scams or inflated prices

Defending Champions

Newcastle United are the defending champions, having defeated Liverpool 2–1 in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.

They remain in contention to retain the trophy if they can overturn Manchester City’s advantage.

Rules for the Final

The 2026 final marks the 66th edition of the League Cup.

If the match is level after 90 minutes:

1. Extra time will be played

2. If still tied, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout