When is the 2026 Carabao Cup final? Date, kick-off time and how to follow with Wembley showpiece put back again

The Carabao Cup final is fast approaching as teams set their sights on the first major silverware of the season.

With the Premier League and FA Cup decided further down the line, clubs have a chance to lift an early trophy with EFL Cup glory.

Last year’s edition saw Newcastle end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Wembley.

The Magpies continue their title defence this week, as they host Manchester City in the semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Eddie Howe‘s side are looking to become the first back-to-back winners since the Citizens – who won four straight titles between 2018 and 2021.

In the other last-four clash, Chelsea take on Arsenal on Wednesday in the first leg of an all-London cup tie.

As the Carabao Cup enters its business end, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Wembley showpiece…

When is the 2026 Carabao Cup final?

The 2026 Carabao Cup final will be held on Sunday, March 22.

It will be played at Wembley Stadium, with kick-off yet to be confirmed, but expected to be at 4:30pm.

Previous editions have been played at this time, barring the 2024 final between Liverpool and Chelsea, which was moved to 3pm due to police demands.

For the second year in a row, the 2026 showpiece is later than previous years, with the Carabao Cup final usually played in February.

It coincides with the Gameweek 31 in the Premier League, meaning the two Wembley finalists will have their fixtures rescheduled.

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Who will play in the 2026 Carabao Cup final?

The 2026 Carabao Cup finalists have not yet been confirmed, as the competition has only reached the semi-final stage.

But the potential final two teams have been narrowed down to a choice of four, as the last four ties get underway this week.

As mentioned, Newcastle, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal are all still vying for glory.

With the semi-final first legs taking place over the coming days, the return legs will be held on the first week of February.

Arsenal will host Chelsea at the Emirates on February 3, before Newcastle travel to the Etihad to face Man City on February 4.

All four clubs are former winners, with the Gunners having the longest trophy drought in the competition, last emerging victorious in 1993.

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Which team has the most Carabao Cup wins?

Liverpool boast the most English League Cup titles, having won the competition a record 10 times.

The Reds most recently tasted glory in 2022 and 2024, but are unable to add to their collection this year, after being knocked by Crystal Palace in the fourth round back in October.

Man City rank second in this category, with eight wins overall – six of which have come in the last 12 years.

After winning the 2014 edition, the Citizens went on to lift the trophy five times between 2016 and 2021.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have won the third-most League Cups with a total of six, the latest of which came with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the 2023 final.

The Red Devils suffered the shock of this season’s competition, being knocked out by League Two Grimsby in the second round.

Rounding off the most successful clubs are Aston Villa and Chelsea, who have each won five Carabao Cups, while Nottingham Forest boast four titles, coming in two back-to-back spells in 1978 and 1979, and again in 1989 and 1990.