The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 campaign, and this time every second‑round fixture will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. At this stage the competition welcomes the eleven Premier League clubs that are not tied up in European tournaments, creating a slate of enticing match‑ups before the nine clubs still competing in Europe join the fray in the third round. One of the headline fixtures is a repeat of a recent Premier League showdown: Nottingham Forest will travel to face Leeds United on Tuesday.
Oliver Glasner’s Forest side are eager to avenge a narrow defeat they suffered at the City Ground just three days earlier, turning what was a league loss into a potential cup redemption. Wednesday’s action features two intriguing storylines. Newcastle United will host West Bromwich Albion at St James’ Park, giving the Magpies a chance to secure their first victory under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
Across the city, Tottenham Hotspur look to bounce back from a humbling 3‑0 loss to Brentford by taking on early Championship leaders Charlton Athletic on home soil. Both games promise plenty of drama as the clubs seek to gain momentum early in the season. The same evening, veteran manager David Moyes will make a nostalgic return to Deepdale, the ground he left when he departed Preston North End in 2002, now leading Everton in a cup tie. Meanwhile, Chelsea will host Luton Town, and Fulham will meet AFC Wimbledon in a Thursday double‑header that rounds off a packed schedule of second‑round action.
All matches are slated to kick off at 7:45 pm BST unless otherwise noted, giving fans a reliable viewing window throughout the evening. For those who prefer streaming, the Carabao Cup can be accessed without a long‑term contract via the Sky Sports app, which offers live coverage on both mobile devices and the web. The first round of the competition delivered plenty of excitement, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battling for a place in the second round. Those early ties produced a mixture of drama, goals and unexpected results, setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Highlights from those games are available for on‑demand viewing, allowing supporters to catch up on any action they missed. Sky Sports subscribers can watch the live matches on Sky Sports+, and the same games are also streamed through the Sky Sports app and the official Sky Sports website. If you’re away from a television, you can still stay informed by following the dedicated first‑round blog posted on Saturday, as well as a series of live blogs that will be updated throughout the competition to provide minute‑by‑minute commentary, key moments and post‑match analysis. The tournament will continue to unfold over the coming months, with the second‑round fixtures taking place during the week beginning 24 August.
The nine Premier League clubs that are still competing in European competitions – Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – will enter the Carabao Cup at the third‑round stage, adding even more high‑profile match‑ups to the calendar. For a complete overview of the first‑round draw and the full schedule, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated Carabao Cup page. The competition’s timeline is as follows: - 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 Fans can also take part in the Super 6 prediction game for a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool – entry is free and provides an extra layer of engagement throughout the cup run. Overall, the Carabao Cup’s second round promises a blend of familiar Premier League rivalries, opportunities for newly appointed managers to make an early impact, and the classic knockout excitement that makes domestic cup competitions so compelling.
Whether you’re watching live on Sky Sports, streaming via the app, or following the live blogs, there’s plenty to look forward to as the tournament progresses toward its March finale.