The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 campaign, and every match in the second round will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, giving fans a front‑row seat to the early drama of England's premier knockout competition. On Wednesday night, St James' Park will host a crucial encounter as Newcastle United aim to secure their first victory under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
The Magpies will welcome West Bromwich Albion, a side that has been fighting to stay afloat in the Championship. Jaissle, who took charge only a few weeks ago, will be looking to imprint his tactical philosophy on the team and give his supporters a reason to celebrate after a turbulent start to the season. At the same time, Tottenham Hotspur will try to rebound from a humiliating 3‑0 defeat at Brentford. The Spurs will host Charlton Athletic, the early leaders of the Championship, in a match that promises to be a stern test of Tottenham's resilience and attacking prowess.
After the Brentford loss, manager Ange Postecoglou will be under pressure to motivate his squad and demonstrate that the club can still compete for silverware despite a rocky league start. Everton will also feature in the second‑round lineup, with David Moyes making a nostalgic return to Deepdale for the first time since his departure from Preston North End in 2002.
The former Preston boss will lead the Toffees into a clash against Everton, a fixture that carries personal significance for Moyes and adds an extra narrative layer to the evening's action. Chelsea will host Luton Town, while Fulham will meet AFC Wimbledon in a double‑header scheduled for Thursday.
Both London clubs will be eager to progress and avoid the congested fixture list that often plagues clubs involved in multiple competitions. The third‑round draw will be conducted live on Sky Sports immediately after the Preston versus Everton match on Wednesday night.
All nine Premier League teams that are currently competing in European tournaments – Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – will enter the competition at the third‑round stage. Because the European calendar has expanded, additional draw conditions have been introduced to prevent any clashes between clubs still involved in the Champions League or Europa League. A pre‑draw will take place at approximately 7:20 pm on Sky Sports, determining whether each European‑qualified side will be drawn at home or away. Those eight ties will form the first eight matches of the main draw later that evening.
This precaution ensures that UEFA fixtures, which cannot be rescheduled, will not interfere with the Carabao Cup timetable, allowing the tournament to progress smoothly without disrupting league or domestic cup schedules. 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 will unfold across several weeks beginning on 7 September and continuing through 14 September, with 32 teams taking part – the 23 winners from the second round plus the nine European‑qualified Premier League clubs. The first round delivered plenty of drama, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battling for a place in the second round. Those early ties set the tone for the tournament, showcasing the depth of English football and the potential for lower‑league sides to cause upsets.
Highlights from those matches are available on Sky Sports' website, allowing supporters who missed the live action to catch up on key moments, goals, and standout performances. Sky Sports subscribers can watch every Carabao Cup match on Sky Sports+, with the option to stream via the Sky Sports app or website.
For viewers without a television, the competition is also covered through a dedicated first‑round blog posted on Saturday, complemented by live blogs throughout the tournament that provide minute‑by‑minute updates, tactical analysis, and fan reactions. The tournament schedule 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, giving fans a chance to win a share of £250,000.
Entry is free, and participants can predict match outcomes to accumulate points throughout the cup run. Overall, the Carabaa Cup's second round promises a blend of high‑stakes matches, managerial storylines, and the classic underdog narrative that makes English knockout football so compelling. Whether you are a die‑hard supporter of Newcastle, Tottenham, Everton, Chelsea, Fulham, or simply a lover of the beautiful game, Sky Sports offers multiple ways to stay engaged – from live broadcasts and streaming options to comprehensive written coverage and interactive contests.
The excitement builds toward the third round, where the heavyweights of European competition will join the fray, setting the stage for potentially historic clashes and unforgettable moments on the road to the March final.