The 2026/27 edition of the Carabao Cup has officially begun, and every first‑round match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The opening round wraps up with a thrilling local rivalry in Devon, as Plymouth Argyle welcome Exeter City to their ground for a Monday night showdown at 8 p.m.
While the derby is the final first‑round fixture, the excitement doesn’t stop there. From 7 p.m. onward, Sky Sports will host the second‑round draw, during which the eleven Premier League clubs that are not competing in European tournaments next season will join the competition.
Those clubs will be eager to add a domestic cup to their season’s objectives. So far, the early ties have delivered plenty of drama, attacking flair, and a healthy dose of goals. Teams from the Championship, League One and League Two have all vied for a coveted place in the next stage, and the results have been anything but predictable. The cup’s knockout nature has produced several memorable moments, from late‑stage equalizers to spectacular long‑range strikes, underscoring why the competition remains a beloved fixture on the English football calendar.
Among the clubs that have already secured progression are three that were relegated from the Premier League last season: West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley. Each of these sides is looking to bounce back quickly, and a strong cup run could provide both confidence and momentum. In addition, three League Two outfits—Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town—have also punched their tickets to the second round, proving that lower‑league teams can still make a significant impact when the stakes are high. Fans who missed any of the action can catch up on all the highlights through Sky Sports’ dedicated video hub.
The platform offers on‑demand replays, allowing viewers to relive the most exciting moments at their convenience. For those who prefer streaming, Sky Sports+ provides a seamless way to watch the matches via the Sky Sports app or directly on the Sky Sports website, without the need for a traditional television set.
If you’re not a Sky Sports subscriber, you still have options. The network’s first‑round blog, updated on Saturday, offers live commentary, key statistics, and minute‑by‑minute updates. Throughout the tournament, additional live blogs will be published to keep supporters informed of every twist and turn, ensuring that even without a screen you can stay connected to the competition. Looking ahead, the tournament schedule continues to unfold over the coming months.
Round two is slated for the week commencing 24 August, giving the remaining clubs a chance to regroup and prepare for new challenges. The three Premier League sides that are competing in Europe—Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace—will enter at the third‑round stage, adding another layer of intrigue and raising the overall quality of the matches. For a quick reference, here is the full timeline of the Carabao Cup for the 2026/27 season: - 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 Beyond the on‑field action, Sky Sports is also promoting its Super 6 competition, where participants can enter for free for a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool. This adds an extra incentive for fans to engage with the tournament and test their knowledge of the game.
In summary, the Carabao Cup’s first round has set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating season. From the Devon derby to the upcoming draw that will introduce the Premier League heavyweights, there is plenty to look forward to. Whether you watch live on television, stream via the Sky Sports app, or follow the detailed blogs, the competition offers a rich blend of excitement, surprise, and footballing drama that will keep supporters hooked until the final whistle in March.