The 2026/27 edition of the Carabao Cup has officially returned, and every first‑round match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, giving fans across the country the chance to follow the early excitement in real time. The opening round wraps up with a classic Devon rivalry as Plymouth Argyle travel to face Exeter City on Monday night, with kickoff slated for 8 p.m. local time.
This fixture will not only decide which of the two historic clubs progresses, but also adds a regional flavour to the competition’s inaugural week. While the Devon derby draws the final spotlight for the round, the draw for the second stage will be conducted during the build‑up to the Monday game, starting at 7 p.m. At that point, eleven Premier League teams that are not slated to compete in European tournaments next season will join the fray, injecting fresh top‑flight talent into the tournament and raising the stakes for the lower‑league sides that have already earned their places. The first round has already produced a wealth of drama, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battling fiercely for a coveted slot in the next phase.
Several matches have been decided by late goals, penalty shoot‑outs and unexpected upsets, underscoring the knockout nature of the cup and the opportunity it provides for smaller clubs to make a name for themselves on a national stage. Among the teams that have successfully navigated the opening round are three clubs that were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the previous campaign: West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley.
Each of these sides is eager to prove that they belong among England’s elite, and the Carabao Cup offers a valuable platform to rebuild confidence and test new tactics ahead of the league season. In addition, three League Two outfits – Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town – have also secured their passage to the second round, demonstrating that lower‑division clubs can compete with determination and skill against higher‑ranked opposition. For supporters who missed any of the live action, a comprehensive highlights reel is available online, allowing fans to catch up on every goal, save, and moment of controversy. Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the matches via Sky Sports+, with the full suite of games accessible through the Sky Sports app and the official website.
This flexibility ensures that viewers can stay connected to the tournament whether they are at home, on the go, or away from a traditional television set. If you prefer not to commit to a contract, Sky Sports offers a no‑contract streaming option, making it easy for occasional viewers to tune in for specific matches.
The Sky Sports app can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices, providing a seamless way to watch the competition on smartphones, tablets, or laptops. For those who cannot watch the games live, Sky Sports maintains a dedicated first‑round blog that updates throughout Saturday, offering live commentary, match statistics, and post‑match analysis.
Additional live blogs will be published as the tournament progresses, ensuring that fans have continuous access to up‑to‑date information, even if they are unable to sit in front of a screen. Looking ahead, the competition will continue to unfold over the coming months. The second round is scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, where the eleven Premier League clubs not involved in European competition will join the winners from the first round.
The three clubs currently competing in European tournaments – Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – will enter at the third‑round stage, adding further excitement and raising the overall quality of the matches. Below is a concise timeline of the tournament’s key dates: - First round: Friday 7 August – Monday 10 August - Second round: week of 24 August - Third round: weeks of 7 September and 14 September - Fourth round: week of 26 October - Fifth round: week of 14 December - Semi‑final first leg: week of 11 January - Semi‑final second leg: week of 1 February - Final: Sunday 21 March Fans can also take part in Sky Sports’ Super 6 competition for a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool, with free entry available to all registered users.
This adds an extra layer of engagement for viewers who enjoy testing their knowledge of the game alongside the live action. Overall, the Carabao Cup’s opening week promises a blend of high‑stakes football, regional rivalries, and the classic underdog stories that make knockout competitions so compelling.
Whether you are watching live, streaming on a mobile device, or following the detailed blogs, there are plenty of ways to stay involved in the tournament as it progresses toward its March finale.