2026-27 Carabao Cup Third Round Draw and Fixture Details
The draw for the third round of the 2026-27 Carabao Cup is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26. This phase introduces the remaining Premier League teams into the competition, including big names like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United.
Most Premier League clubs have advanced to this stage, with Nottingham Forest being the only top-flight team knocked out, losing to fellow Premier League side Leeds United.
Third Round Draw Overview
The draw took place after the last third-round match between Preston North End and Everton. Unlike earlier rounds, the draw is no longer divided into northern and southern sections, meaning any team can face another regardless of location.
A pre-draw was conducted before the Preston vs. Everton game to decide which clubs participating in European competitions would play at home or away. This measure avoids clashes between those teams and prevents fixture congestion.
Third Round Matchups
- Crystal Palace (PL) vs. Middlesbrough (CH)
- Man United (PL) vs. Brighton (PL)
- Man City (PL) vs. Norwich City (CH)
- Sunderland (PL) vs. Hull City (PL)
- Ipswich Town (PL) vs. Arsenal (PL)
- Coventry City (PL) vs. Aston Villa (PL)
- Bournemouth (PL) vs. Lincoln City
- Liverpool (PL) vs. Tottenham (PL)
- Chelsea/Luton Town vs. Leeds United (PL)
- Millwall (CH) vs. Newcastle (PL)
- Fleetwood Town (L2) vs. Sheffield United (CH)
- Everton (PL) vs. Wolves (CH)
- Leyton Orient (L1) vs. Bradford City (L1)
- Reading (L1) vs. Brentford (PL)
- Peterborough United vs. Barnsley (L1)
- West Ham (CH) vs. Fulham/AFC Wimbledon
Ball Numbers for Draw
- Bournemouth
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Crystal Palace
- Man City
- Man United
- Liverpool
- Sunderland
- Barnsley
- Brentford
- Brighton
- Coventry
- Fleetwood Town
- Hull City
- Ipswich Town
- Leeds United
- Leyton Orient
- Lincoln City
- Middlesbrough
- Millwall
- Norwich City
- Peterborough
- Reading
- Sheffield United
- West Ham
- Wolves
- Bradford City / Burnley
- Newcastle / West Brom
- Tottenham / Charlton Athletic
- Preston North End / Everton
- Chelsea / Luton Town
- Fulham / AFC Wimbledon
When Will Third Round Matches Take Place?
The fixtures are planned for the weeks starting September 7 and September 14. The exact schedule will be updated once all matchups are finalized.
- Tuesday, September 8: Games, kickoff times TBD
- Wednesday, September 9: Games, kickoff times TBD
- Thursday, September 10: Games, kickoff times TBD
- Tuesday, September 15: Games, kickoff times TBD
- Wednesday, September 16: Games, kickoff times TBD
- Thursday, September 17: Games, kickoff times TBD
