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When is the EFL Cup Final in 2026?

The EFL Cup Final in 2026 is scheduled for March 22, 2026 at Wembley Stadium.

How Arsenal Reached the 2026 EFL Cup Final

Arsenal has made it to the 2026 EFL Cup Final at Wembley after a strong performance in this knockout competition. They faced several tough teams, both from their own league (Premier League) and from lower leagues.

Third Round: Away Win Against Port Vale

Arsenal started their cup journey in the third round. They played an away game against Port Vale on September 24, 2025. Arsenal played well and won 2-0, moving easily to the next stage.

Fourth Round: Home Win Against Brighton

In the fourth round, Arsenal played at home against another Premier League team, Brighton & Hove Albion, on October 29, 2025. They showed a solid performance at their home stadium, the Emirates, winning 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

Quarter-Final: Penalty Shootout Victory Over Crystal Palace

The quarter-final was a tense London derby against Crystal Palace. The game was played at the Emirates on December 23, 2025, and ended in a 1-1 draw. This meant the winner had to be decided by a penalty shootout. Arsenal kept their calm and won the shootout to move forward.

Semi-Final: Beating Chelsea Over Two Games

The semi-final was a two-game series against their big rivals, Chelsea.

• First Game (Away): Arsenal won a very exciting match 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on January 14, 2026. This gave them an important lead.
• Second Game (Home): They finished the job at home on February 3, 2026, winning 1-0. This meant Arsenal won the whole semi-final 4-2 on goals scored over both games.

Manchester City's Path to the 2026 EFL Cup Final

Manchester City has also earned their spot in the 2026 EFL Cup Final, showing their strong form throughout the competition. Their journey to Wembley involved overcoming several opponents, including other top Premier League teams.

Third Round: Comfortable Win Against Stoke City

Manchester City began their cup run at home in the third round. They played against Stoke City on September 24, 2025. City comfortably won the match 3-0, making a strong start to their campaign.

Fourth Round: Victory Over Fulham

In the fourth round, City faced fellow Premier League team Fulham at home on October 29, 2025. It was a professional performance that saw them win 2-1, securing their place in the quarter-finals.

Quarter-Final: Overcoming Newcastle United

The quarter-final saw Manchester City travel to face Newcastle United on December 23, 2025. In a tough away match, City managed to secure a 1-0 victory, showing their strength and determination to progress.

Semi-Final: Beating Tottenham Hotspur Over Two Games

The semi-final was a two-match contest against another strong Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.

• First Game (Home): Manchester City won the first leg at home with a solid 2-0 victory on January 14, 2026.
• Second Game (Away): The return leg was played at Tottenham's stadium on February 3, 2026. City managed a 1-1 draw, which was enough to win the semi-final 3-1 on total goals, sending them to Wembley.

How the EFL Cup Works

The EFL Cup, which is also known as the Carabao Cup, is a cup competition for all 92 professional clubs in England. This includes every team from the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two. It is a knockout tournament, which means if a team loses a match, they are out of the competition.

Not all teams start at the same time. Teams in League One and League Two begin in the First Round. Premier League clubs that are not playing in European competitions join in the Second Round. The top Premier League teams that are playing in Europe, such as in the Champions League, join the competition in the Third Round.

Every match is a single, one-off game. If the score is a draw after 90 minutes, the game goes straight to a penalty shootout to decide the winner. Extra time is only used in the semi-finals and the final. The semi-finals are the only round where teams play two matches against each other, once at each team's home stadium (known as two legs). The winners of the semi-finals then play in the final at Wembley Stadium to decide the champion.

Who Has Won the Most EFL Cups?

Liverpool holds the record for the most wins in the EFL Cup, having lifted the trophy a remarkable 10 times. Their long history of success in the competition, known over the years as the League Cup and now the Carabao Cup, establishes them as the most decorated team in its history. Their most recent triumph came in the 2024 final, where they defeated Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester City are the second-most successful club in the competition, having won the cup on eight occasions, including a period of significant dominance in the late 2010s.