Ball numbers, how to watch, fixture dates, potential opponents – 2025/26 Carabao Cup third round draw | OneFootball

Manchester City will find out their opponents for the third round of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup this week as their fixture list intensifies.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be aiming to mount another strong run in a tournament that has delivered plenty of silverware during the Catalan’s time at the Etihad Stadium, but a competition that ended early during the last campaign.

Having dismissed of Championship side Watford at home in Round Three last season, Manchester City would succumb to defeat on the road at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, bringing an end to their hopes of claiming the title further down the lines.

Manchester City last lifted the Carabao Cup in 2021 and remain one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history. As they look to balance their early-season Premier League commitments with cup duties, the third round draw is an important first step in plotting another potential path to Wembley.

Now, as Manchester City and their star-studded prepare to find out their fate in their debut round of the latest edition of the Carabao Cup, here are all of the details for the third round draw procedure!

When is the Carabao Cup third round draw?

The draw for Round Three of the Carabao Cup will take place live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of Grimsby Town’s Round Two tie against Manchester United on Wednesday 27 August.

Why are there special conditions?

The expansion of UEFA’s competition calendar ahead of the 2024/25 season forced the EFL to adjust its scheduling for a second successive year.

With UEFA Champions League matches scheduled in the week beginning 15 September and UEFA Europa League fixtures in the week beginning 22 September, it has been ruled that Clubs competing in either competition cannot face each other in Round Three of the Carabao Cup.

This measure ensures that all fixtures can be played within the available windows, given UEFA competitions cannot be moved.

The EFL has emphasised that it would prefer to conduct the draw in its traditional manner, but insists the changes have been made necessary by UEFA’s failure to consult with domestic leagues before finalising its scheduling.

These restrictions will not apply to the fourth round.

Who is involved?

The Round Three draw will feature 32 clubs in total:

While the UEFA Conference League does not begin until October, meaning no impact on this round, Crystal Palace could be affected later should they qualify for the competition proper.

How does the draw work?

Two bowls will be used for the draw:

Before the main draw begins, a pre-draw will determine whether each Champions League/Europa League club is drawn home or away. This pre-draw will also be shown live on Sky Sports during the build-up to Grimsby’s clash with Manchester United.

The procedure is as follows:

From Round Three onwards, the competition is no longer regionalised, meaning clubs can be drawn against opponents from anywhere in the country.

Fixture dates

Round Three fixtures will take place across two weeks:

Ball numbers

The ball numbers for the third round draw will be announced on the morning of Wednesday 27 August, ahead of the draw that evening.