The 2026/27 edition of the Carabao Cup has officially kicked off, and fans can tune in to every first‑round fixture live on Sky Sports. This season’s opening round features clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two, all competing for a place in the later stages of England’s premier knockout competition for lower‑league teams. Sky Sports will broadcast every single match from the inaugural round, meaning supporters won’t have to miss a single goal or dramatic moment.
The network’s dedicated Soccer Saturday programme will also run throughout the afternoon, providing live updates, goal highlights and key incidents as the games unfold across the country. For viewers who prefer a smoother streaming experience, the platform recommends using the Chrome browser, which offers a more accessible video player and better compatibility with the Sky Sports app and website. Subscribers can also watch the matches via Sky Sports+, giving them the flexibility to follow the action on mobile devices, tablets or desktop computers.
The first‑round schedule is packed with intriguing fixtures. The Saturday lineup opens at 1:00 p.m. with a clash between Cambridge United and Barnet, followed an hour later by Queens Park Rangers hosting their London rivals Millwall at 2:00 p.m. The afternoon then becomes a whirlwind of 3:00 p.m.
kick‑offs, featuring Burnley against Notts County, West Ham United taking on Portsmouth, and Leicester City facing Northampton Town – three ties that are likely to produce plenty of goals and excitement. Other notable Saturday matches include Swansea City versus Birmingham City, Sheffield Wednesday hosting Bolton Wanderers, and Norwich City welcoming Milton Kenny Dons.
Meanwhile, Southampton will travel to Colchester United for an away fixture. The day’s final slate of games begins at 5:30 p.m., with Cheltenham Town playing Charlton Athletic, Colchester United taking on Southampton, and Rotherham United facing West Bromwich Albion.
The opening round does not end on Saturday. Sunday sees Mansfield Town host Sheffield United at 4:00 p.m., providing a chance for the lower‑division side to test themselves against a club with recent Premier League experience. The round concludes on Monday with a classic Devon derby as Plymouth Argyle host Exeter City at 8:00 p.m., a match that promises local bragging rights and a fierce battle for progression. Fans who cannot watch the live broadcast have several alternatives.
Sky Sports maintains a dedicated first‑round blog that offers minute‑by‑minute commentary, live text updates and post‑match analysis. Additional live blogs will be published throughout the competition, ensuring that supporters can stay informed even when they are away from a screen. Looking ahead, the competition will continue to unfold over the coming weeks.
The second round is scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, with the draw set to introduce the nine Premier League clubs that are also competing in European tournaments – Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – who will enter at the third‑round stage. Key dates for the remainder of the tournament are as follows: - Round 1: Friday 7 August – Monday 10 August - Round 2: week commencing 24 August - Round 3: weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September - Round 4: week commencing 26 October - Round 5: week commencing 14 December - Semi‑final first leg: week commencing 11 January - Semi‑final second leg: week commencing 1 February - Final: Sunday 21 March In addition to the on‑field action, Sky Sports is promoting its Super 6 game, a free‑entry competition that gives participants a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool. Viewers can enter the game while watching the Cup matches, adding an extra layer of excitement to the broadcast.
Overall, the Carabao Cup’s return promises a month of non‑stop football, with a blend of historic clubs, emerging talents and the ever‑present possibility of giant‑killing upsets. Whether you are a die‑hard supporter of a particular side or simply enjoy the drama of knockout football, the first round offers a comprehensive slate of matches that can be followed live on Sky Sports, streamed via the Sky Sports app, or tracked through the network’s extensive online coverage.