Carabao Cup 2026/27 first round draw released – fixtures and holders

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the draw for the first round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup was completed, splitting teams into northern and southern sections. Preliminary matches are set for August 1 (Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale) and August 3 (York City vs Crawley Town). Manchester City remain the trophy holders after defeating Arsenal in the March 2026 final courtesy of a brace from Nico O’Reilly.

Northern section fixtures include Middlesbrough vs Wrexham, Rotherham vs West Brom, Barnsley vs Wigan, Mansfield vs Sheffield United, Stockport vs Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday vs Bolton, Fleetwood vs Chesterfield, Crewe vs Accrington Stanley, Stoke City vs Oldham, Wolves vs Port Vale, Burnley vs Notts County, Derby County vs Lincoln City, Bradford vs the winner of Tranmere/Rochdale, Burton Albion vs Blackburn Rovers, Salford vs Shrewsbury, Grimsby vs Blackpool, and Preston vs Huddersfield.

Southern section fixtures feature QPR vs Millwall, Cheltenham vs Charlton Athletic, Gillingham vs Luton, Cardiff vs Swindon, Bristol City vs Walsall, Plymouth vs Exeter, Bristol Rovers vs Peterborough, Watford vs the winner of York/Crawley, Cambridge vs Barnet, Norwich vs MK Dons, Colchester vs Southampton, Leyton Orient vs Oxford United, Wycombe vs Stevenage, Bromley vs Reading, Swansea vs Birmingham, West Ham vs Portsmouth, Wimbledon vs Newport, and Leicester vs Northampton Town.

For Nigerian football fans, these fixtures signal the start of English cup action that will be broadcast over the coming weeks. Knowing the match‑ups helps plan viewing schedules, follow favorite clubs, or consider betting options. Which tie are you most likely to watch, and how might the early‑round results affect your support for Premier League clubs later in the tournament?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/26/2026-2027-carabao-cup-round-one-draw-confirmed-full-fixtures/