The English Football League (EFL) has announced a significant change to the structure of the Carabao Cup for the 2025/26 season, introducing a preliminary round to accommodate scheduling demands.
The decision, confirmed on Saturday, June 14, 2025, will see four teams compete in an initial knockout stage before the competition’s first round proper, marking a shift in the tournament’s format not seen since the 2011/12 season.
The preliminary round will feature National League promotion winners Barnet and Oldham Athletic facing off against League Two’s two lowest finishers, Accrington Stanley and Newport County. To maintain regional balance in the early stages, the EFL has paired Barnet with Newport and Oldham with Accrington.
This adjustment ensures a streamlined first round, allowing all Premier League clubs participating in European competitions to enter directly in the third round, easing fixture congestion for top-tier teams.
The EFL explained that the preliminary round was last necessitated in 2011/12 when Birmingham City, then in the Championship, qualified for the Europa League as cup holders, and Fulham earned a spot through the Fair Play league. “This change reflects our commitment to balancing competitive integrity with the demands of modern football schedules,” an EFL spokesperson said.
The draw for both the preliminary round and the first round proper will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, coinciding with the EFL’s Fixture Release Day. The preliminary round draw will determine the home teams for the two ties, setting the stage for an exciting start to the competition.