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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Sports Desk • Football

Carabao Cup

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

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

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 92 clubs from the Premier League and English Football League.

What it is

The Carabao Cup is a knockout tournament organized by the English Football League. It began in 1960 as the League Cup and has been sponsored by Carabao, a Thai energy drink brand, since 2017. The winner earns a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Key details

Most rounds are single matches; semi-finals are two-legged. Tied games after 90 minutes go straight to penalties, with no extra time. The final is typically held at Wembley Stadium in February or March. Liverpool won the 2024 edition.

Why it matters

The Carabao Cup is one of England's major domestic trophies, offering midweek drama and a path to European competition. Canadian fans often follow it through broadcasters and players involved in English football.

In short

  • The Carabao Cup is the EFL Cup under a sponsorship name, open to 92 teams.
  • It is a knockout competition with single-leg ties, two-legged semis, and penalty shootouts for draws.
  • The final is at Wembley, usually in February or March.
  • Carabao has been the title sponsor since 2017.
Canadian angle

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.

Quick questions

What is the Carabao Cup?
It 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 format work?
Most ties are one match, semi-finals are two legs, and draws after 90 minutes go to penalties.

Sources

  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.