EFL forced to add extra Carabao Cup round after nine Premier League teams qualify for Europe

The 2025-26 Carabao Cup will feature an extra round after nine Premier League teams qualified for European competition, the EFL have confirmed.

Last season was England’s most successful ever in terms of securing European berths. Six clubs reached the Champions League, including Carabao Cup holders Newcastle, while Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa League after hoisting the FA Cup, teeing up their first appearance in European competition.

But the Premier League’s continental success has complicated matters for the EFL.

As sides playing in Europe enter the competition in the third round, the EFL have introduced a preliminary qualifying round in order to reduce the number of teams competing in rounds one and two.

The fixtures for the preliminary round are already set. Barnet and Oldham Athletic, promoted from the National League to League Two last season, will participate alongside Accrington Stanley and Newport County, the worst-performing non-relegated sides in last year’s fourth tier.

The ties will be divided by region, meaning Barnet will play Newport, and Oldham will face Accrington. These will be formally announced ahead of the round one draw on June 26.

A preliminary round is introduced for the first time since 2011-12, when Birmingham City and Fulham were both unlikely qualifiers for the Europa League.

Champions League: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur

Europa League: Aston Villa, Crystal Palace

Conference League: Nottingham Forest

Preliminary Round: w/c August 4, 2025

Round One: w/c August 11, 2025

Round Two: w/c August 25, 2025

Round Three: w/c September 15, and w/c September 22 2025 (Split to accommodate sides playing in Europe)

Round Four: w/c October 27, 2025

Round Five: w/c December 15, 2025

Semi-Final First Leg: w/c January 12, 2026

Semi-Final Second Leg: w/c February 2, 2026

Final: Sunday, March 22, 2026