When is the Carabao Cup final? Full details as Arsenal lead Chelsea | Football | Sport
Official final date: The Carabao Cup final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026. This marks a departure from the traditional late-February slot to accommodate changes in the footballing calendar.
Iconic venue: As is tradition for major English domestic trophies, the final will be hosted at Wembley Stadium in London. The “Home of Football” will provide the backdrop for the first major silverware of the season.
Kick-off time: While an exact start time has not been officially confirmed by the EFL, it is widely expected to be 4.30pm (GMT). This follows the established broadcasting trend for recent League Cup finals. Tottenham play Nottingham Forest at 2.15pm the same day in the Premier League.
Four teams left: Four teams remain in the hunt for a spot in the final at Wembley. Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Manchester City are currently battling it out in the two-legged semi-final stage. The Gunners led Chelsea 3-2 after the first leg with City boasting a 2-0 advantage over Newcastle.
TV coverage: Fans in the UK will be able to watch the showpiece event live on Sky Sports. The broadcaster holds the rights to the competition and will provide extensive pre-match coverage from Wembley.
Ticket information: Tickets for the final will be allocated primarily to the two competing clubs once they are confirmed. Fans are advised to purchase through official club channels to avoid scams or secondary market issues.
Last year’s winners: Newcastle United enter the final stages as the defending champions, having defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the 2025 final. They remain in the running to retain their crown this year.
Rules for the final: The final serves as the culmination of the 66th edition of the competition. If the scores are level after 90 minutes at Wembley, the match will head to extra time and then penalties.
