Carabao Cup Returns: Full first round fixtures released

The draw for the first round of the 2025/2026 Carabao Cup took place on Thursday evening.

Current holders Newcastle United, who edged Liverpool 1-0 in the final last March, were not part of this round, as it featured only English Football League (EFL) clubs.

One of the standout fixtures will see Coventry City clash with Luton Town — a rematch of the dramatic 2023 Championship play-off final. Recently relegated Leicester City will travel to Huddersfield Town, while Birmingham City face Sheffield United in another high-profile tie.

Full Fixtures
Southern Section:

Coventry City vs Luton Town
Bristol City vs MK Dons
Bromley vs Ipswich Town
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe Wanderers
Watford vs Norwich City
Charlton Athletic vs Stevenage
Oxford United vs Colchester United
Barnet/Newport County vs Millwall
Cardiff City vs Swindon Town
Gillingham vs AFC Wimbledon
Northampton Town vs Southampton
Cheltenham Town vs Exeter
Plymouth Argyle vs QPR
Swansea City vs Crawley Town
Portsmouth vs Reading
Northern Section:

Barrow vs Preston North End
Grimsby Town vs Shrewsbury Town
Blackpool vs Port Vale
Salford City vs Rotherham
Harrogate Town vs Lincoln City
Tranmere Rovers vs Burton Albion
Stockport County vs Crewe Alexandra
Huddersfield Town vs Leicester City
Wrexham vs Hull City
Birmingham City vs Sheffield United
Stoke City vs Walsall
Accrington Stanley/Oldham Athletic vs Peterborough United
Blackburn Rovers vs Bradford City
Middlesbrough vs Doncaster Rovers
West Brom vs Derby County
Bolton Wanderers vs Sheffield Wednesday
Chesterfield vs Mansfield Town
Barnsley vs Fleetwood Town
Wigan Athletic vs Notts County