The Independent
·6 August 2026
When is the Carabao Cup second-round draw? Start time, ball numbers and how to watch

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Yahoo sportsThe Independent
·6 August 2026

The Carabao Cup will welcome Chelsea, Tottenham and other Premier League teams into the competition in the second round after the competition kicks off over the weekend.
The Blues are the headline act entering the fold after their failure to qualify for Europe last term, with Xabi Alonso hoping to set the tone in his bid for debut-season silverware. After only just avoiding relegation in 2025/26, London rivals Spurs are also in the draw.
Before the draw, 68 EFL sides will seek to come through the first round unscathed - though it isn’t the maiden Carabao Cup outing of the season for all, with Rochdale and Crawley Town already having to go through a preliminary round to reach this opening stage.
Featured ties of the first round, taking place from Thursday to Monday, include West Ham’s meeting with Portsmouth, a Devon derby between Plymouth and Exeter, while a battle of Championship promotion-chasers will go down at the Riverside Stadium when Middlesbrough host Wrexham.
The second round will remain regionalised with the draw split into southern and northern sections.
The Carabao Cup second-round draw is expected to take place on Monday 10 August live on Sky Sports Main Event, during the broadcast of Plymouth vs Exeter - the last game of the first round.
The exact time of the draw has not been confirmed but if it follows suit of last year’s draw, it will take place during the build-up of the match at around 7:20pm.
There are eight top-flight teams entering the Carabao Cup in the second round:
Northern section
Ball numbers have not been confirmed and will be revealed in due course.
The round dates for the Carabao Cup have been confirmed as the following:







































