Carabao Cup 2026 TV Schedule: How to Watch the English League Cup in USA

League Cup TV schedule If you’re looking for the English League Cup TV schedule for fans in the United States, you’ve come to the right place. The Carabao Cup, also known as the English Football League (EFL) Cup, is the first major domestic trophy awarded in the English soccer season. Featuring all 92 professional clubs […]

League Cup TV schedule

If you’re looking for the English League Cup TV schedule for fans in the United States, you’ve come to the right place.

The Carabao Cup, also known as the English Football League (EFL) Cup, is the first major domestic trophy awarded in the English soccer season. Featuring all 92 professional clubs from the Premier League and the EFL, the 2025/26 tournament has been a showcase for high-octane drama and historic “giant-killings”.

The competition offers a fast-paced path to silverware and, crucially, a guaranteed spot in the UEFA Conference League playoff round for the following season. For many clubs outside the traditional “Big Six,” the Carabao Cup represents their most realistic chance at domestic glory and European football.

How to Watch the Carabao Cup in the USA

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Starting with the 2024/25 season and continuing through 2027/28, CBS Sports and Paramount+ are the exclusive broadcasters for the Carabao Cup in the United States. This multi-year deal represents a major shift from previous years when the competition was found on ESPN+.

Paramount+

Paramount+ is the essential destination for EFL fans. The service streams the vast majority of matches from every round of the competition, including the high-stakes semifinals and the final at Wembley. During the early stages, dozens of matches are available live, typically on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at 2:45 PM ET.

CBS Sports Network & Fubo

Marquee matchups and the later stages of the tournament frequently air on the CBS Sports Network. Since Fubo carries CBS Sports Network in its Pro and Elite plans, it is the premier choice for fans who want to watch on a traditional TV interface alongside other major European leagues.

CBS Sports Golazo Network

Select matches and whip-around analysis are also featured on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, a free 24/7 soccer channel available on Paramount+, Pluto TV, and the CBS Sports app.

Carabao Cup 2025/26 Format & Rules

The competition has undergone several changes to modernize the tournament and protect player fitness:

• No Extra Time: For all matches through the Quarterfinals, games tied after 90 minutes go directly to a penalty shootout. Extra time is only utilized during the Final at Wembley.
• Single-Leg Semifinals (New for 2025/26): Starting this season, the traditional two-legged semifinals have been replaced by single-leg matches to help alleviate the congested English football calendar.
• The 2026 Final: The Carabao Cup Final is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium in London.

History of the League Cup

Founded in 1960 by Alan Hardaker, the League Cup was initially created to provide clubs with a midweek revenue stream following the installation of floodlights across English stadiums. Despite early criticism, the event quickly gained momentum as teams embraced the opportunity to compete for prizes outside the conventional league and FA Cup.

The tournament’s prestige skyrocketed in 1968 when the winners were first awarded a spot in European competition. Over the decades, it has been known by various sponsored names, including the Milk Cup, Coca-Cola Cup, and Capital One Cup, before becoming the Carabao Cup in 2017.

While elite clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City have dominated recently—with Liverpool holding the record for the most titles—the competition is famous for its “Giant Killings”. Underdog stories, such as Birmingham City’s 2011 triumph over Arsenal, remain at the heart of the tournament’s allure.