Carabao Cup Third Round: Premier League Teams Enter the Fray
The early rounds are almost done. Now the Carabao Cup is about to change gear.
The third round is looming, which means the Premier League’s heavyweights are finally stepping in. While Chelsea and Tottenham still have to fight their way through second-round ties this week, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are already waiting, handed byes because of their European schedules.
That European factor shapes the competition in more ways than one. With clubs involved in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League trying to squeeze everything into a packed calendar, the third round will be stretched across two midweeks. It also guarantees that those European sides will be kept apart at this stage, delaying any heavyweight clashes a little longer.
When is the third-round draw?
The exact date and time are not yet locked in, but the plan is clear.
The draw is expected to take place after Preston vs Everton, which kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Once that tie is done, attention will swing straight from the pitch to the pot.
Details on who will host the draw and which guests will be on duty are still to come and will be confirmed closer to the night.
How to watch the draw
Sky Sports will carry the draw live, with subscribers able to stream it online through the Sky Go app.
For those who prefer every twist and turn written out in real time, Standard Sport will run a live blog covering the draw as it unfolds.
Who will be in the hat?
Ball numbers for the third round will be confirmed on the morning of the draw, once the second round has fully shaken out.
In total, 32 clubs will go into the pot: the 23 winners from the second round, joined by the nine Premier League sides competing in UEFA competitions this season across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
That mix almost always throws up a storyline or two. A lower-league side heading to a giant’s stadium. A Premier League grudge match arriving earlier than anyone wanted. Or a clear path opening up for a club chasing its first serious shot at silverware.
When will the ties be played?
Third-round fixtures are scheduled to be played over back-to-back weeks, starting from the midweek of September 7 and then continuing from September 14.
By then, the European campaign will be underway, the league table will be taking shape, and managers will have to decide: rotate and risk, or go strong and chase Wembley?
