The 2026/27 edition of the Carabao Cup has officially returned, and every first‑round match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The final fixture of this opening round pits two Devon rivals against each other: Plymouth Argyle will welcome Exeter City to Home Park on Monday night, with kick‑off scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
While the Devon derby provides a dramatic close to the round, the excitement continues after the final whistle. Starting at 7:00 p.m., the draw for the second round will be conducted, setting the stage for the entry of the eleven Premier League clubs that are not competing in European tournaments next season. Those clubs will join the competition in the next stage, adding fresh firepower to an already lively tournament. The first round has already delivered a wealth of memorable moments.
Teams from the Championship, League One and League Two have battled fiercely for a place in the next phase, producing a mix of drama, high‑scoring encounters and nail‑biting finishes. Among the notable storylines, three clubs that were relegated from the Premier League last season—West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley—have all secured progression, demonstrating that they remain competitive despite the step down.
In addition, three lower‑league sides from League Two—Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town—have earned their tickets to the second round, underscoring the cup’s reputation for giving smaller clubs a chance to shine on a national stage. Fans who missed any of the action can catch up with comprehensive highlights, which are available through Sky Sports’ on‑demand platforms. Subscribers to Sky Sports can stream every match via Sky Sports+, using either the dedicated Sky Sports app or the website, ensuring that the competition is accessible on smartphones, tablets and computers as well as traditional television sets. For viewers who prefer not to commit to a long‑term contract, Sky Sports also offers a flexible streaming option that lets you watch the Carabao Cup without a binding agreement.
Simply download the Sky Sports App, sign in, and you’ll be able to follow the tournament live wherever you are. If you’re unable to sit in front of a screen, you won’t be left out of the conversation. Sky Sports maintains a live‑blog service that provides minute‑by‑minute updates, commentary and key statistics throughout each match.
A dedicated first‑round blog will be published on Saturday, and additional live blogs will appear as the competition progresses, giving you a real‑time narrative of every goal, save and controversy. Looking ahead, the cup will continue to unfold over the course of the season.
The second round is slated for the week commencing 24 August, and it will feature the arrival of the eleven Premier League sides that are not involved in European competition. The three clubs that are competing in Europe—Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland and Crystal Palace—will join the tournament in the third round, adding another layer of prestige and quality to the draw. For a complete overview of the first‑round draw and the full schedule, fans can visit the Carabao Cup section on Sky Sports’ website. Below is a quick reference of the key dates that have already been confirmed: - Round One: Friday 7 August – Monday 10 August - Round Two: week commencing 24 August - Round Three: weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September - Round Four: week commencing 26 October - Round Five: week commencing 14 December - Semi‑final first leg: week commencing 11 January - Semi‑final second leg: week commencing 1 February - Final: Sunday 21 March Beyond the football, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition that gives participants a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool.
Entry is free, and the game adds an extra element of excitement for viewers who love to test their knowledge of the tournament. In summary, the Carabao Cup’s opening round offers a blend of local rivalries, underdog stories and high‑profile clubs gearing up for the later stages. Whether you’re watching the Devon derby live on Sky Sports, streaming via the app, following the live blog, or simply checking the highlights later, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged with England’s premier knockout cup competition.
The journey from the first‑round fixtures in early August to the grand finale in March promises plenty of football drama, and fans can look forward to new chapters being written with each passing week.