The 2024–25 EFL Cup is the 65th season of the English Football League Cup. It is sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink and known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons. The EFL Cup is open to all clubs participating in the Premier League and the English Football League.

2024–25 EFL Cup
Carabao Cup
Wembley Stadium will host the final
Tournament details
CountryEngland
Wales
Dates13 August 2024 – 16 March 2025[1]
Teams92
Defending championsLiverpool
Tournament statistics
Attendance923,799
Top goal scorer(s)Cody Gakpo
Tom Ince
(4 goals each)
2025–26 →

The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League.

Liverpool are the defending champions, having beaten Chelsea in the previous season's final.

Teams

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All 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League entered the season's EFL Cup. Access was distributed across the top 4 leagues of the English football league system.

In the first round, 22 of 24 Championship clubs, and all League One and League Two clubs entered.

The following round, the two remaining Championship clubs, who finished 18th and 19th in the 2023–24 Premier League season (Luton Town and Burnley), and the Premier League clubs not involved in either the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League entered.

Clubs entering in this round Clubs advancing from previous round Number of games Main date
First round
(70 clubs)
  • 24 clubs from EFL League Two
  • 24 clubs from EFL League One
  • 22 clubs from EFL Championship
  • N/A
35 13 August 2024
Second round
(50 clubs)
  • 2 clubs from EFL Championship
  • 13 Premier League clubs (not involved in European competitions)
  • 35 winners from first round
25 27 August 2024
Third round
(32 clubs)
  • 7 Premier League clubs (involved in European competitions)
  • 25 winners from second round
16 17 September 2024
24 September 2024
Fourth round
(16 clubs)
  • 16 winners from third round
8 30 October 2024
Quarter-finals
(8 clubs)
  • 8 winners from fourth round
4 16 December 2024
Semi-finals
(4 clubs)
  • 4 winners from quarter-finals
4 (two-legged) 6 January 2025
3 February 2025
Final
(2 clubs)
  • 2 winners from semi-finals
1 16 March 2025

First round

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A total of 70 teams played in the first round: 24 from League Two (tier 4), 24 from League One (tier 3), and 22 from the Championship (tier 2). The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections, where teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The draw was made on 27 June 2024 by Frank Sinclair and Gary McAllister.[2]

Number of teams per tier still in the competition
Premier League[a] Championship[b] League One League Two Total
20 / 20
24 / 24
24 / 24
24 / 24
92 / 92
  1. ^ Premier League teams joined the competition in the second and third rounds.
  2. ^ Two Championship teams joined the competition in the second round.

Northern section

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13 August 2024 Carlisle United (4)0–2 Stoke City (2) Carlisle
19:30 BST Report
Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 4,441
Referee: Ben Toner
13 August 2024 Stockport County (3)1–6 Blackburn Rovers (2) Stockport
19:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Edgeley Park
Attendance: 5,790
Referee: Ross Joyce
13 August 2024 Barrow (4) 3–2Port Vale (4)Barrow-in-Furness
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Holker Street
Attendance: 1,711
Referee: Scott Jackson
13 August 2024 Bolton Wanderers (3) 1–1
(5–4 p)
Mansfield Town (3)Bolton
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,131
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Penalties
13 August 2024 Burton Albion (3)0–4 Blackpool (3) Burton upon Trent
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 1,522
Referee: Matt Corlett
13 August 2024 Derby County (2) 2–1Chesterfield (4)Derby
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Pride Park
Attendance: 8,538
Referee: Leigh Doughty
13 August 2024 Fleetwood Town (4) 2–1West Bromwich Albion (2)Fleetwood
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 2,611
Referee: Thomas Kirk
13 August 2024 Grimsby Town (4) 1–1
(9–8 p)
Bradford City (4)Cleethorpes
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 3,082
Referee: David Coote
Penalties
13 August 2024 Huddersfield Town (3) 3–0Morecambe (4)Huddersfield
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Kirklees Stadium
Attendance: 5,111
Referee: Simon Mather
13 August 2024 Lincoln City (3)1–2 Harrogate Town (4) Lincoln
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Sincil Bank
Attendance: 3,507
Referee: Scott Tallis
13 August 2024 Preston North End (2) 2–0Sunderland (2)Preston
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 7,231
Referee: Ollie Yates
13 August 2024 Rotherham United (3) 2–1Crewe Alexandra (4)Rotherham
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: New York Stadium
Attendance: 2,182
Referee: Scott Oldham
13 August 2024 Salford City (4)0–2 Doncaster Rovers (4) Salford
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Moor Lane
Attendance: 1,328
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
13 August 2024 Shrewsbury Town (3) 3–3
(4–3 p)
Notts County (4)Shrewsbury
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: New Meadow
Attendance: 2,914
Referee: Ben Speedie
Penalties
13 August 2024 Tranmere Rovers (4) 3–0Accrington Stanley (4)Birkenhead
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 2,288
Referee: Scott Simpson
13 August 2024 Wigan Athletic (3)1–1
(2–4 p)
Barnsley (3) Wigan
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
Attendance: 1,990
Referee: Will Finnie
Penalties
13 August 2024 Sheffield United (2) 4–2Wrexham (3)Sheffield
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 11,446
Referee: Keith Stroud
14 August 2024 Hull City (2)1–2 Sheffield Wednesday (2) Kingston upon Hull
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: MKM Stadium
Attendance: 9,281
Referee: Tom Nield
14 August 2024 Leeds United (2)0–3 Middlesbrough (2) Leeds
20:00 BST Report
Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 35,150
Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Southern section

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13 August 2024 Leyton Orient (3) 4–1Newport County (4)Leyton
19:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 2,141
Referee: Craig Hicks
13 August 2024 Bristol City (2)0–1 Coventry City (2) Bristol
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 10,940
Referee: James Bell
13 August 2024 Bromley (4)1–2 AFC Wimbledon (4) Bromley
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Hayes Lane
Attendance: 3,677
Referee: Carl Brook
13 August 2024 Cambridge United (3)1–2 Queens Park Rangers (2) Cambridge
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 4,529
Referee: Paul Howard
13 August 2024 Cardiff City (2) 2–0Bristol Rovers (3)Cardiff
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 5,718
Referee: Charles Breakspear
13 August 2024 Charlton Athletic (3)0–1 Birmingham City (3) Charlton
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 5,899
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
13 August 2024 Colchester United (4) 2–2
(4–3 p)
Reading (3)Colchester
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,123
Referee: Neil Hair
Penalties
13 August 2024 Crawley Town (3) 4–2Swindon Town (4)Crawley
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 2,396
Referee: Ben Atkinson
13 August 2024 Northampton Town (3)0–2 Wycombe Wanderers (3) Northampton
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 2,012
Referee: Declan Bourne
13 August 2024 Norwich City (2) 4–3Stevenage (3)Norwich
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,054
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
13 August 2024 Oxford United (2) 2–0Peterborough United (3)Oxford
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 3,693
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
13 August 2024 Portsmouth (2)0–1 Millwall (2) Portsmouth
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 13,913
Referee: Dean Whitestone
13 August 2024 Swansea City (2) 3–1Gillingham (4)Swansea
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
Attendance: 6,019
Referee: David Rock
13 August 2024 Walsall (4) 1–1
(4–3 p)
Exeter City (3)Walsall
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 2,352
Referee: Jacob Miles
Penalties
13 August 2024 Watford (2) 5–0Milton Keynes Dons (4)Watford
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 6,885
Referee: Lewis Smith
14 August 2024 Plymouth Argyle (2) 3–0Cheltenham Town (4)Plymouth
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 12,058
Referee: Tom Reeves

Second round

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A total of 50 teams played in the second round: the 13 Premier League clubs not involved in European competitions and the two best-ranked EFL Championship clubs (Luton Town and Burnley) entered at this stage along with the 35 winners from the first round. The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections, where teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The draw was made on 14 August 2024 by Jermaine Beckford and Curtis Davies.[3]

Number of teams per tier still in the competition
Premier League[a] Championship League One League Two Total
20 / 20
18 / 24
10 / 24
9 / 24
57 / 92
  1. ^ The seven Premier League teams involved in European competitions joined the competition in the third round.

Northern section

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27 August 2024 Middlesbrough (2)0–5 Stoke City (2) Middlesbrough
19:15 BST Report
Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 17,408
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
27 August 2024 Barnsley (3) 1–0Sheffield United (2)Barnsley
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 10,739
Referee: Tom Reeves
27 August 2024 Barrow (4) 0–0
(3–2 p)
Derby County (2)Barrow-in-Furness
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Holker Street
Attendance: 3,003
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
Penalties
27 August 2024 Blackburn Rovers (2)1–2 Blackpool (3) Blackburn
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 9,418
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
27 August 2024 Everton (1) 3–0Doncaster Rovers (4)Liverpool
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 37,245
Referee: James Bell
27 August 2024 Fleetwood Town (4) 2–1Rotherham United (3)Fleetwood
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 1,744
Referee: Ross Joyce
27 August 2024 Grimsby Town (4)1–5 Sheffield Wednesday (2) Cleethorpes
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 6,364
Referee: Matt Corlett
27 August 2024 Harrogate Town (4)0–5 Preston North End (2) Harrogate
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Wetherby Road
Attendance: 2,570
Referee: Ben Speedie
27 August 2024 Leicester City (1) 4–0Tranmere Rovers (4)Leicester
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 13,011
Referee: Lewis Smith
27 August 2024 Shrewsbury Town (3)0–2 Bolton Wanderers (3) Shrewsbury
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: New Meadow
Attendance: 3,220
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
27 August 2024 Walsall (4) 3–2Huddersfield Town (3)Walsall
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 3,378
Referee: Edward Duckworth
28 August 2024 Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) 2–0Burnley (2)Wolverhampton
19:30 BST
Report Stadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 19,236
Referee: Josh Smith
28 August 2024 Nottingham Forest (1)1–1
(3–4 p)
Newcastle United (1) West Bridgford
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 23,083
Referee: Sam Allison
Penalties

Southern section

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27 August 2024 Brighton & Hove Albion (1) 4–0Crawley Town (3)Brighton and Hove
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Falmer Stadium
Attendance: 19,175
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
27 August 2024 Coventry City (2) 1–0Oxford United (2)Coventry
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Coventry Building Society Arena
Attendance: 11,808
Referee: Will Finnie
27 August 2024 Millwall (2)0–1 Leyton Orient (3) Bermondsey
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 5,875
Referee: David Rock
27 August 2024 Queens Park Rangers (2) 1–1
(4–1 p)
Luton Town (2)Shepherd's Bush
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 7,132
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Penalties
27 August 2024 Watford (2) 2–0Plymouth Argyle (2)Watford
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 8,319
Referee: Andy Davies
27 August 2024 Birmingham City (3)0–2 Fulham (1) Birmingham
20:00 BST Report
Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 11,949
Referee: Keith Stroud
27 August 2024 Crystal Palace (1) 4–0Norwich City (2)Selhurst
20:00 BST
Report Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 12,503
Referee: Matt Donohue
28 August 2024 AFC Wimbledon (4) 2–2
(4–2 p)
Ipswich Town (1)Wimbledon
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Plough Lane
Attendance: 7,934
Referee: James Linnington
Penalties
28 August 2024 Cardiff City (2)3–5 Southampton (1) Cardiff
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 7,225
Referee: Tom Nield
28 August 2024 Colchester United (4)0–1 Brentford (1) Colchester
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 6,716
Referee: Paul Howard
28 August 2024 Swansea City (2)0–1 Wycombe Wanderers (3) Swansea
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Ben Toner
28 August 2024 West Ham United (1) 1–0Bournemouth (1)Stratford
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: London Stadium
Attendance: 47,381
Referee: Peter Bankes

Third round

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A total of 32 teams played in the third round: the seven Premier League clubs involved in European competitions (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur) entered at this stage along with the 25 winners from the second round. The draw was made on 28 August 2024 by Michael Dawson and Les Ferdinand, where conditions were implemented to ensure clubs participating in the UEFA Champions League did not draw clubs participating in the UEFA Europa League due to fixture clashes.[4]

Number of teams per tier still in the competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Total
17 / 20
6 / 24
5 / 24
4 / 24
32 / 92
17 September 2024 Stoke City (2) 1–1
(2–1 p)
Fleetwood Town (4)Stoke-on-Trent
19:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 8,927
Referee: Tim Robinson
Penalties
17 September 2024 Blackpool (3)0–1 Sheffield Wednesday (2) Blackpool
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 5,429
Referee: Thomas Kirk
17 September 2024 Brentford (1) 3–1Leyton Orient (3)Brentford
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Brentford Community Stadium
Attendance: 13,634
Referee: Lewis Smith
17 September 2024 Everton (1)1–1
(5–6 p)
Southampton (1) Liverpool
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 33,842
Referee: Darren Bond
Penalties
17 September 2024 Preston North End (2) 1–1
(16–15 p)
Fulham (1)Preston
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 5,530
Referee: Bobby Madley
Penalties
17 September 2024 Queens Park Rangers (2)1–2 Crystal Palace (1) Shepherd's Bush
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 13,945
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
17 September 2024 Manchester United (1) 7–0Barnsley (3)Trafford
20:00 BST
Report Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 72,063
Referee: Gavin Ward
18 September 2024 Brighton & Hove Albion (1) 3–2Wolverhampton Wanderers (1)Brighton and Hove
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Falmer Stadium
Attendance: 16,018
Referee: John Brooks
18 September 2024 Coventry City (2)1–2 Tottenham Hotspur (1) Coventry
20:00 BST Report
Stadium: Coventry Building Society Arena
Attendance: 24,616
Referee: Darren England
24 September 2024 Chelsea (1) 5–0Barrow (4)Fulham
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 38,868
Referee: Oliver Langford
24 September 2024 Manchester City (1) 2–1Watford (2)Manchester
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium
Attendance: 40,584
Referee: David Webb
24 September 2024 Walsall (4)0–0
(0–3 p)
Leicester City (1) Walsall
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 8,010
Referee: Tom Nield
Penalties
24 September 2024 Wycombe Wanderers (3)1–2 Aston Villa (1) High Wycombe
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 8,158
Referee: John Busby
25 September 2024 Arsenal (1) 5–1Bolton Wanderers (3)Holloway
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,056
Referee: Josh Smith
25 September 2024 Liverpool (1) 5–1West Ham United (1)Liverpool
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 60,044
Referee: Andrew Madley
1 October 2024 Newcastle United (1) 1–0AFC Wimbledon (4)Newcastle upon Tyne
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 51,739
Referee: Darren Bond
Note: Fixture was initially scheduled to be hosted by Wimbledon on 24 September, but was postponed and switched to Newcastle due to flooding at Wimbledon's stadium, Plough Lane.[5]

Fourth round

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A total of 16 teams played in the fourth round. Championship sides Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City were the lowest-ranked teams in the draw, which was made on 25 September 2024 by Jamie Redknapp and Kevin Nolan.[6]

Number of teams per tier still in the competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Total
13 / 20
3 / 24
0 / 24
0 / 24
16 / 92
29 October 2024 Southampton (1) 3–2Stoke City (2)Southampton
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 16,092
Referee: Lewis Smith
29 October 2024 Brentford (1) 1–1
(5–4 p)
Sheffield Wednesday (2)Brentford
20:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Brentford Community Stadium
Attendance: 16,701
Referee: Will Finnie
Penalties
30 October 2024 Brighton & Hove Albion (1)2–3 Liverpool (1) Brighton and Hove
19:30 GMT
Report
Stadium: Falmer Stadium
Attendance: 28,441
Referee: Darren Bond
30 October 2024 Aston Villa (1)1–2 Crystal Palace (1) Birmingham
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 34,851
Referee: Samuel Barrott
30 October 2024 Manchester United (1) 5–2Leicester City (1)Trafford
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 73,470
Referee: Andrew Madley
30 October 2024 Newcastle United (1) 2–0Chelsea (1)Newcastle upon Tyne
19:45 GMT
Report Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 51,934
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
30 October 2024 Preston North End (2)0–3 Arsenal (1) Preston
19:45 GMT Report
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 21,811
Referee: Peter Bankes
30 October 2024 Tottenham Hotspur (1) 2–1Manchester City (1)Tottenham
20:15 GMT
Report
Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Attendance: 60,797
Referee: Robert Jones

Quarter-finals

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A total of eight teams will play in the quarter-finals. For the first time since the 2009–10 season, all eight remaining teams are Premier League sides. The draw was made on 30 October 2024 by Jamie Redknapp and Izzy Christiansen.[7]

Number of teams per tier still in the competition
Premier League Championship League One League Two Total
8 / 20
0 / 24
0 / 24
0 / 24
8 / 92
18 December 2024 Arsenal (1) v Crystal Palace (1) Holloway
19:30 GMT Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
18 December 2024 Southampton (1) v Liverpool (1) Southampton
20:00 GMT Report Stadium: St Mary's Stadium

Top goalscorers

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As of 30 October 2024
Rank[8] Player Club Goals
1   Cody Gakpo Liverpool 4
  Tom Ince Watford
2   Simon Adingra Brighton & Hove Albion 3
  Eberechi Eze Crystal Palace
  Alejandro Garnacho Manchester United
  Gonçalo Guedes Wolverhampton Wanderers
  Ryan Graydon Fleetwood Town
  Christopher Nkunku Chelsea
  Ethan Nwaneri Arsenal
  Milutin Osmajić Preston North End

References

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  1. ^ "First-round draw for 2024/25 Carabao Cup". Sky Sports. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One draw confirmed". EFL. 27 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Carabao Cup Round Two draw confirmed". EFL. 14 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Carabao Cup Round Three draw confirmed". EFL. 28 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Postponed Wimbledon Carabao Cup tie to be played at St James' Park". BBC Sport. 23 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Draw made for Carabao Cup Round Four". EFL. 25 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Carabao Cup: Quarter-Final draw confirmed". EFL. 30 October 2024.
  8. ^ "English League Cup 2024/2025: Top Scorer". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 14 August 2024.