The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 campaign, and Sky Sports will broadcast every second‑round fixture live for fans across the country. Wednesday’s action features a number of intriguing match‑ups that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
At St James' Park, Newcastle United will be looking to secure their first victory under new manager Matthias Jaissle when they host West Bromwich Albion. The German‑born coach has taken over a side that has struggled to find consistency, and a win against the visiting Baggies would be a vital boost to his early tenure.
West Brom, meanwhile, will be eager to prove they belong in the competition and to test Jaissle’s tactics in a high‑pressure environment. In London, Tottenham Hotspur aim to rebound from a humiliating 3‑0 defeat at Brentford. Their next challenge comes at home against Charlton Athletic, the early leaders of the Championship who have been impressive in the opening weeks of the season. Spurs will need to rediscover the attacking flair that earned them a reputation for big‑night performances, while Charlton will be looking to continue their momentum and cause an upset against a Premier League heavyweight.
Everton’s manager David Moyes will make a nostalgic return to Deepdale, the ground of his former club Preston North End, where he spent a brief but memorable spell before moving on to Everton. The match will see Everton travel to face Preston, offering Moyes a chance to showcase his evolution as a manager since his departure in 2002. It also provides Preston fans with a sentimental moment as they watch a former boss return in a competitive setting.
Chelsea will host Luton Town in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter. The Blues, traditionally strong in cup competitions, will look to assert their dominance early in the tournament, while Luton will be motivated to prove they can compete with top‑flight opposition.
On the same evening, Fulham will take on AFC Wimbledon in a double‑header that highlights the depth of English football, pitting a newly promoted Premier League side against a resilient League One club. The third‑round draw is scheduled to be televised live on Sky Sports after the Preston versus Everton game on Wednesday night. This draw will introduce the nine Premier League clubs that are currently involved in European competition: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
These teams will join the competition at the third‑round stage, adding another layer of excitement. Because the European calendar has become more congested, additional draw conditions have been put in place. A pre‑draw at 7:20 pm on Sky Sports will determine whether each Champions League and Europa League club will be drawn at home or away. Those eight ties will also form the first eight fixtures of the main draw later that evening.
The purpose of these conditions is to prevent clubs engaged in UEFA competitions from facing each other in the third round, ensuring that the schedule remains manageable and that no club is forced into an impossible fixture list. Fans can stream the Carabao Cup without committing to a long‑term contract by downloading the Sky Sports app. All matches kick off at 7.45 pm BST unless otherwise noted, and the competition runs across several weeks beginning on 7 September and continuing through 14 September for the third round. In total, 32 teams will compete in the third round – the 23 winners from the second round plus the nine European‑qualified Premier League sides.
The first‑round ties delivered plenty of drama, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battling for a place in the second round. Highlights from those games are available on Sky Sports’ website, and supporters who cannot watch live can follow detailed blogs that provide minute‑by‑minute updates and analysis. Sky Sports customers have the option to watch matches via Sky Sports+, the Sky Sports app, or directly on the Sky Sports website. For those without a TV, the competition’s official blog offers live commentary, key moments, and post‑match reactions throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead, the schedule for the remainder of the Carabao Cup is as follows: - 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 In addition to the on‑field action, Sky Sports is running a 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 stay engaged with every match, every goal, and every upset throughout the cup run. Overall, the Carabao Cup promises a blend of established Premier League powerhouses, ambitious lower‑league sides, and the occasional surprise result that makes knockout football so compelling. With comprehensive coverage, live draws, and interactive fan contests, Sky Sports ensures that supporters can follow every twist and turn from the first whistle to the final celebration.