The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 campaign, and every fixture 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 Thursday, two of the most eagerly anticipated matches will kick off at the same time: Chelsea will welcome Luton Town at Stamford Bridge, while League One side AFC Wimbledon travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.
Both games are scheduled for a 7:45 pm (BST) start, unless a specific change is announced closer to kickoff. These ties are more than just another set of fixtures; they determine the path each victorious club will follow in the next stage of the tournament.
The winner of the Chelsea‑Luton encounter will earn the right to host Leeds United in the third round, adding another high‑profile clash to the calendar. Meanwhile, the side that comes out on top between Fulham and Wimbledon will be drawn against West Ham United, setting up a potential showdown between a Premier League heavyweight and a determined lower‑league side.
The Carabao Cup has already delivered an impressive tally of goals this season – 74 goals have been netted across the first 20 matches, highlighting the attacking intent and unpredictability that make cup football so compelling. For supporters who cannot watch the live broadcast, Sky Sports offers a range of alternatives.
Matches are available on Sky Sports+ for subscribers, and the Sky Sports app and website provide streaming options that work on mobile devices, tablets, and computers. In addition, a dedicated first‑round blog will be published on Saturday, and live‑text updates will continue throughout the competition for those who prefer to follow the action in real time.
If you miss the live action, you can still catch up on all the key moments by watching the official highlights reel, which is posted on Sky Sports' online platforms shortly after each game. The highlights package includes every goal, crucial save, and any controversial decisions, ensuring that even the most casual fan can stay up to date with the tournament’s progression. Looking ahead, the schedule for the remainder of the Carabao Cup is already set. Round two runs during the week commencing 24 August, followed by round three in the weeks of 7 September and 14 September.
The fourth round is slated for the week of 26 October, and the fifth round will take place the week of 14 December. The semi‑finals are split into two legs, with the first leg scheduled for the week of 11 January and the second leg for the week of 1 February.
The competition will culminate in a grand final on Sunday, 21 March, where the two surviving clubs will battle for the trophy and a place in the season’s footballing narrative. An additional point of interest this year is the involvement of nine Premier League clubs that are also competing in European tournaments. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace will all enter the competition at the third‑round stage, meaning that the early rounds provide an opportunity for lower‑division teams to test themselves against top‑flight opposition later in the tournament. For those who enjoy a bit of extra excitement beyond the matches themselves, Sky Sports is running a "Super 6" competition.
Participants can enter for free and stand a chance to win a £1 million prize, adding a thrilling betting element to the cup run. In summary, the Carabao Cup’s second round offers a double‑header of high‑stakes football on Thursday night, with Chelsea and Fulham each looking to progress deeper into the tournament. Fans can watch live on Sky Sports, stream via the Sky Sports app, or follow detailed live blogs and highlight reels online.
The competition’s schedule is clearly laid out, with each subsequent round leading up to a March final that promises to crown the season’s cup champion. Whether you are a die‑hard supporter of one of the clubs involved or simply a lover of knockout football, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged with every twist, turn, and goal that the Carabao Cup has to offer.