Carabao Cup semi-final draw 2026: Matchups, dates, prize money

If you’ve been waiting to see who the Carabao Cup semi-finals will pit against each other, the wait is over. The draw, announced on 17 December 2025, has delivered two blockbuster ties, with defending champions Newcastle United facing Manchester City and a potential London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchups, dates, and format.

Draw Date: 17 December 2025 ·
Semi-Final First Leg: w/c 12 January 2026 ·
Semi-Final Second Leg: w/c 2 February 2026 ·
Final: 22 March 2026 ·
Format: Two-legged ties

Four teams reached the semi-finals, each with a distinct path through the quarter-finals. One pattern: Newcastle came through a dramatic stoppage-time winner, while Manchester City controlled their tie against Brentford.

What time is the Carabao Cup semi-final draw?

The semi-final draw was announced on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, published directly on the EFL’s official competition page and widely reported by major sports outlets. While the exact time of the announcement wasn’t specified, the draw results were confirmed by Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) and Goal.com (global football news outlet) shortly after the quarter-final round concluded.

The implication: If you missed the live update, the official EFL website remains the definitive source for all draw details, but the key matchups are now set in stone.

Who will Newcastle play in the Carabao Cup semi-final?

Newcastle United, the defending champions, will face Manchester City in the semi-final. The draw pitted the two Premier League heavyweights against each other in what promises to be a fiercely contested two-legged tie.

Who will Arsenal face in the semi-final?

Arsenal will face Chelsea in the semi-final. The Gunners secured their spot by defeating Crystal Palace 8–7 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the quarter-final on 23 December 2025, as reported by Goal.com (football news authority).

Who will Chelsea face in the semi-final?

Chelsea advanced to the semi-final after a 3–1 win over Cardiff City in the quarter-final on 16 December 2025. Their reward is a London derby against Arsenal. The draw for the semi-finals was confirmed by Sky Sports (leading UK sports network).

Is the Carabao Cup draw televised?

The draw itself was not broadcast as a standalone event; instead, the results were released via the EFL’s official website and subsequently covered by news outlets such as Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) and Goal.com (global football news outlet). Fans looking for live coverage of the semi-final matches themselves can check Premier League Matches Today – No Games, Next Fixtures for fixture schedules, or Live Football Scores BBC – Premier League Tables & Fixtures for real-time updates.

How was the draw announced?

The draw details were published on the EFL’s official website on 17 December 2025. There was no televised ceremony; the pairings were simply posted online and relayed by major sports media. The confirmation of the semi-final line-up came after the quarter-final round concluded, with the final quarter-final (Arsenal vs Crystal Palace) taking place on 23 December 2025, as noted by Goal.com (football news authority).

Are Carabao Cup semi finals two legs?

Yes, the Carabao Cup semi-finals are played over two legs, with each team hosting one match. The first legs are scheduled for the week commencing 12 January 2026, and the second legs for the week commencing 2 February 2026. This format gives both sides a chance to overturn deficits at home.

How does the two-legged format work?

Each semi-final tie consists of two matches: one at each team’s home stadium. Aggregate goals decide who advances to the final. If the aggregate score is level after 180 minutes, extra time and penalties apply. The first legs have already produced results: Newcastle United lost 0–2 to Manchester City on 13 January 2026, and Chelsea lost 2–3 to Arsenal on 14 January 2026, according to Goal.com (football news authority).

The Carabao Cup semi-final draw has delivered two blockbuster ties as holders Newcastle United will face Manchester City.

EFL statement, via Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)

How much money will Newcastle get for winning the Carabao Cup?

The exact prize money for the 2025-26 Carabao Cup winner has been confirmed by the EFL and is available on its official website. While specific figures were not included in the draw announcement, previous winners have received substantial sums. For context, Newcastle United’s victory in the 2024-25 season earned them a reported multi-million pound prize, as noted by Wikipedia (EFL Cup historical record).

What is the total prize money for the Carabao Cup?

The EFL has not disclosed the full prize fund for the current season in the draw announcement. However, the competition typically allocates prize money for each round, with the winner receiving the largest share. For the most up-to-date figures, fans are directed to the official EFL website. The Sports Illustrated (US sports media) report on the draw does not include prize numbers, but the EFL’s own channels remain the definitive source.

Timeline signal

• 17 December 2025 – Semi-final draw announced (Goal.com)
• 23 December 2025 – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace quarter-final (Arsenal win on penalties) (Goal.com)
• 13–14 January 2026 – Semi-final first legs (Newcastle 0–2 Man City, Chelsea 2–3 Arsenal) (Goal.com)
• w/c 2 February 2026 – Semi-final second legs
• 22 March 2026 – Final at Wembley Stadium

For Newcastle, the path to defending their title runs through Manchester City — a side that beat them 2–0 in the first leg. The semi-final second leg at the Etihad Stadium will determine whether Eddie Howe’s side can overturn a two-goal deficit and reach Wembley again.

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