2024–25 EFL Cup

The 2024–25 EFL Cup is the 65th season of the EFL Cup (known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons). The competition 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
Country	England Wales
Dates	13 August 2024 – 16 March 2025
Teams	92
Defending champions	Liverpool
Tournament statistics
Matches played	35
Goals scored	115 (3.29 per match)
Attendance	156,174 (4,462 per match)

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

Liverpool are the defending champions.

Access

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 competition)	35 winners from first round	25	w/c 26 August 2024
Third round (32 clubs)	7 Premier League clubs (involved in European competition)	25 winners from second round	16	w/c 16 September 2024 w/c 23 September 2024
Fourth round (16 clubs)	No clubs enter the fourth round	16 winners from third round	8	w/c 28 October 2024
Quarter-finals (8 clubs)	No clubs enter the quarter-finals	8 winners from fourth round	4	w/c 16 December 2024
Semi-finals (4 clubs)	No clubs enter the semi-finals	4 winners from quarter-finals	4 (two-legged)	w/c 6 January 2025 w/c 3 February 2025
Final (2 clubs)	No clubs enter the final	2 winners from semi-finals	1	16 March 2025

First round

A total of 70 clubs 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. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The first round draw took place on 27 June.

Number of teams per tier still in competition

Premier League	EFL Championship	EFL League One	EFL League Two	Total
20 / 20	24 / 24	24 / 24	24 / 24	92 / 92

Northern section

Carlisle United (4) v Stoke City (2)

13 August 2024	Carlisle United (4)	0–2	Stoke City (2)	Carlisle
19:30 BST		Report	Anderson 48' Tezgel 79'	Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 4,441 Referee: Ben Toner

Stockport County (3) v Blackburn Rovers (2)

13 August 2024	Stockport County (3)	1–6	Blackburn Rovers (2)	Stockport
19:30 BST	Buckley 67' (o.g.)	Report	Szmodics 8', 25' Weimann 22' Ohashi 31' Gueye 72' Vale 88'	Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 5,790 Referee: Ross Joyce

Barrow (4) v Port Vale (4)

13 August 2024	Barrow (4)	3–2	Port Vale (4)	Barrow-in-Furness
19:45 BST	Garner 1' Acquah 70' Jackson 76'	Report	Paton 26' Sang 66'	Stadium: Holker Street Attendance: 1,711 Referee: Scott Jackson

Bolton Wanderers (3) v Mansfield Town (3)

13 August 2024	Bolton Wanderers (3)	1–1 (5–4 p)	Mansfield Town (3)	Bolton
19:45 BST	Thomason 68'	Report	Keillor-Dunn 83'	Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium Attendance: 4,131 Referee: Adam Herczeg
	Penalties
	Adeboyejo Thomason Collins Charles Matete Dacres-Cogley		Bowery Gregory Hewitt Boateng Lewis Macdonald Swan

Burton Albion (3) v Blackpool (3)

13 August 2024	Burton Albion (3)	0–4	Blackpool (3)	Burton upon Trent
19:45 BST		Report	Finnigan 69' Pennington 76', 81' Evans 90+1'	Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 1,522 Referee: Matthew Corlett

Derby County (2) v Chesterfield (4)

13 August 2024	Derby County (2)	2–1	Chesterfield (4)	Derby
19:45 BST	Thompson 38' Jackson 68'	Report	Dobra 29'	Stadium: Pride Park Attendance: 8,538 Referee: Leigh Doughty

Fleetwood Town (4) v West Bromwich Albion (2)

13 August 2024	Fleetwood Town (4)	2–1	West Bromwich Albion (2)	Fleetwood
19:45 BST	Graydon 12' Coughlan 33'	Report	Faal 8'	Stadium: Highbury Stadium Attendance: 2,611 Referee: Thomas Kirk

Grimsby Town (4) v Bradford City (4)

13 August 2024	Grimsby Town (4)	1–1 (9–8 p)	Bradford City (4)	Grimsby
19:45 BST	Wilson 36'	Report	Cook 76'	Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 3,082 Referee: David Coote
	Penalties
	Green Davies Vernam Cass Gardner Ainley Eastwood McJannet Khouri McEachran		Smallwood Halliday Oduor Sarcevic Cook Young Baldwin Shepherd Pointon Byrne

Huddersfield Town (3) v Morecambe (4)

13 August 2024	Huddersfield Town (3)	3–0	Morecambe (4)	Huddersfield
19:45 BST	Headley 1' Marshall 38' Ward 43'	Report		Stadium: Kirklees Stadium Attendance: 5,111 Referee: Simon Mather

Lincoln City (3) v Harrogate Town (4)

13 August 2024	Lincoln City (3)	1–2	Harrogate Town (4)	Lincoln
19:45 BST	Makama 85' (pen.)	Report	Folarin 49' Daly 61'	Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 3,507 Referee: Scott Tallis

Preston North End (2) v Sunderland (2)

13 August 2024	Preston North End (2)	2–0	Sunderland (2)	Preston
19:45 BST	Ledson 37' Frøkjær-Jensen 72'	Report		Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 7,231 Referee: Ollie Yates

Rotherham United (3) v Crewe Alexandra (4)

13 August 2024	Rotherham United (3)	2–1	Crewe Alexandra (4)	Rotherham
19:45 BST	Nombe 55' Odoffin 86'	Report	Holícek 50'	Stadium: New York Stadium Attendance: 2,182 Referee: Scott Oldham

Salford City (4) v Doncaster Rovers (4)

13 August 2024	Salford City (4)	0–2	Doncaster Rovers (4)	Salford
19:45 BST		Report	Sharp 21' Molyneux 90+1'	Stadium: Moor Lane Attendance: 1,328 Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Shrewsbury Town (3) v Notts County (4)

13 August 2024	Shrewsbury Town (3)	3–3 (4–3 p)	Notts County (4)	Shrewsbury
19:45 BST	Kayode 68' Shipley 71', 84'	Report	Grant 4' Austin 23' Jatta 89'	Stadium: New Meadow Attendance: 2,914 Referee: Ben Speedie
	Penalties
	Shipley Biggins Lloyd Bloxham Benning		McGoldrick Crowley Edwards Scott Jatta

Tranmere Rovers (4) v Accrington Stanley (4)

13 August 2024	Tranmere Rovers (4)	3–0	Accrington Stanley (4)	Birkenhead
19:45 BST	Saunders 3' Williams 45' Patrick 71'	Report		Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 2,288 Referee: Scott Simpson

Wigan Athletic (3) v Barnsley (3)

13 August 2024	Wigan Athletic (3)	1–1 (2–4 p)	Barnsley (3)	Wigan
19:45 BST	Aasgaard 35' (pen.)	Report	Pines 48'	Stadium: Brick Community Stadium Attendance: 1,990 Referee: Will Finnie
	Penalties
	Aasgaard Jones Stones McHugh		Phillips Connell Earl Watters Russell

Sheffield United (2) v Wrexham (3)

13 August 2024	Sheffield United (2)	4–2	Wrexham (3)	Sheffield
20:00 BST	Trusty 35' Brunt 57' (o.g.) Marsh 69' Slimane 85'	Report	Boyle 29' Revan 90+5'	Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 11,446 Referee: Keith Stroud

Hull City (2) v Sheffield Wednesday (2)

14 August 2024	Hull City (2)	1–2	Sheffield Wednesday (2)	Kingston upon Hull
19:45 BST	Mehlem 9'	Report	McNeill 1', 10'	Stadium: MKM Stadium Attendance: 9,281 Referee: Tom Nield

Leeds United (2) v Middlesbrough (2)

14 August 2024	Leeds United (2)	0–3	Middlesbrough (2)	Leeds
20:00 BST		Report	Dijksteel 50' Burgzorg 60' Coburn 67'	Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 35,150 Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Southern section

Leyton Orient (3) v Newport County (4)

13 August 2024	Leyton Orient (3)	4–1	Newport County (4)	Leyton
19:30 BST	Agyei 1' Jaiyesimi 45+7' Cooper 51' Kelman 74'	Report	Clarke 61'	Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 2,141 Referee: Craig Hicks

Bristol City (2) v Coventry City (2)

13 August 2024	Bristol City (2)	0–1	Coventry City (2)	Bristol
19:45 BST		Report	Simms 65'	Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 10,940 Referee: James Bell

Bromley (4) v AFC Wimbledon (4)

13 August 2024	Bromley (4)	1–2	AFC Wimbledon (4)	Bromley
19:45 BST	Amantchi 19'	Report	Kelly 24' Pigott 61'	Stadium: Hayes Lane Attendance: 3,677 Referee: Carl Brook

Cambridge United (3) v Queens Park Rangers (2)

13 August 2024	Cambridge United (3)	1–2	Queens Park Rangers (2)	Cambridge
19:45 BST	Digby 57'	Report	Frey 13' Smyth 36'	Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 4,529 Referee: Paul Howard

Cardiff City (2) v Bristol Rovers (3)

13 August 2024	Cardiff City (2)	2–0	Bristol Rovers (3)	Cardiff
19:45 BST	McGuinness 68' Colwill 90+1'	Report		Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 5,718 Referee: Charles Breakspear

Charlton Athletic (3) v Birmingham City (3)

13 August 2024	Charlton Athletic (3)	0–1	Birmingham City (3)	Charlton
19:45 BST		Report	Khela 32'	Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 5,899 Referee: Alex Chilowicz

Colchester United (4) v Reading (3)

13 August 2024	Colchester United (4)	2–2 (4–3 p)	Reading (3)	Colchester
19:45 BST	Hopper 3' Payne 55' (pen.)	Report	Savage 65' Wing 73'	Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 3,123 Referee: Neil Hair
	Penalties
	Ihionvien Read Oni Gordon		Wareham Ehibhatiomhan Bindon Wing Mbengue

Crawley Town (3) v Swindon Town (4)

13 August 2024	Crawley Town (3)	4–2	Swindon Town (4)	Crawley
19:45 BST	Adeyemo 34' Roles 56', 88' Khaleel 89'	Report	Ofoborh 60' Smith 66'	Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 2,396 Referee: Ben Atkinson

Northampton Town (3) v Wycombe Wanderers (3)

13 August 2024	Northampton Town (3)	0–2	Wycombe Wanderers (3)	Northampton
19:45 BST		Report	Udoh 9' Mbete 45+1' (o.g.)	Stadium: Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 2,012 Referee: Declan Bourne

Norwich City (2) v Stevenage (3)

13 August 2024	Norwich City (2)	4–3	Stevenage (3)	Norwich
19:45 BST	Kamara 26' Hernández 35', 60' Sainz 48'	Report	Goode 28' Appéré 45+1' Hills 88' (o.g.)	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 13,054 Referee: Sunny Singh Gill

Oxford United (2) v Peterborough United (3)

13 August 2024	Oxford United (2)	2–0	Peterborough United (3)	Oxford
19:45 BST	Goodrham 20' Phillips 41'	Report		Stadium: Kassam Stadium Attendance: 3,693 Referee: Geoff Eltringham

Portsmouth (2) v Millwall (2)

13 August 2024	Portsmouth (2)	0–1	Millwall (2)	Portsmouth
19:45 BST		Report	Esse 13'	Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 13,913 Referee: Dean Whitestone

Swansea City (2) v Gillingham (4)

13 August 2024	Swansea City (2)	3–1	Gillingham (4)	Swansea
19:45 BST	Ronald 24' Cullen 70' Abdulai 90+6'	Report	Hawkins 87'	Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium Attendance: 6,019 Referee: David Rock

Walsall (4) v Exeter City (3)

13 August 2024	Walsall (4)	1–1 (4–3 p)	Exeter City (3)	Walsall
19:45 BST	Jellis 90+3'	Report	Alli 40'	Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 2,352 Referee: Jacob Miles
	Penalties
	Earing Okagbue Matt L. Gordon J. Gordon		Magennis Niskanen Alli Fitzwater Aitchison

Watford (2) v Milton Keynes Dons (4)

13 August 2024	Watford (2)	5–0	Milton Keynes Dons (4)	Watford
19:45 BST	Pollock 24' Ince 45+1', 67', 74' Baah 64'	Report		Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 6,885 Referee: Lewis Smith

Plymouth Argyle (2) v Cheltenham Town (4)

14 August 2024	Plymouth Argyle (2)	3–0	Cheltenham Town (4)	Plymouth
19:45 BST	Waine 62' Hardie 81' Bundu 84'	Report		Stadium: Home Park Referee: Tom Reeves

Second round

A total of 50 clubs played in the second round: the 13 Premier League clubs not involved in European competition and the top 2 EFL Championship clubs 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. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The second round draw took place on 14 August.

Number of teams per tier still in competition

Premier League	EFL Championship	EFL League One	EFL League Two	Total
20 / 20	18 / 24	10 / 24	9 / 24	57 / 92

Northern section

Barnsley (3) v Sheffield United (2)

27–28 August 2024	Barnsley (3)	v	Sheffield United (2)	Barnsley
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Oakwell

Blackburn Rovers (2) v Blackpool (3)

27–28 August 2024	Blackburn Rovers (2)	v	Blackpool (3)	Blackburn
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Ewood Park

Everton (1) v Doncaster Rovers (4)

27–28 August 2024	Everton (1)	v	Doncaster Rovers (4)	Liverpool
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Goodison Park

Grimsby Town (4) v Sheffield Wednesday (2)

27–28 August 2024	Grimsby Town (4)	v	Sheffield Wednesday (2)	Grimsby
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Blundell Park

Leicester City (1) v Tranmere Rovers (4)

27–28 August 2024	Leicester City (1)	v	Tranmere Rovers (4)	Leicester
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: King Power Stadium

Middlesbrough (2) v Stoke City (2)

27–28 August 2024	Middlesbrough (2)	v	Stoke City (2)	Middlesbrough
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Riverside Stadium

Nottingham Forest (1) v Newcastle United (1)

27–28 August 2024	Nottingham Forest (1)	v	Newcastle United (1)	Nottingham
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: City Ground

Shrewsbury Town (3) v Bolton Wanderers (3)

27–28 August 2024	Shrewsbury Town (3)	v	Bolton Wanderers (3)	Shrewsbury
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: New Meadow

Walsall (4) v Huddersfield Town (3)

27–28 August 2024	Walsall (4)	v	Huddersfield Town (3)	Walsall
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Bescot Stadium

Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) v Burnley (2)

27–28 August 2024	Wolverhampton Wanderers (1)	v	Burnley (2)	Wolverhampton
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Molineux Stadium

Southern section

AFC Wimbledon (4) v Ipswich Town (1)

27–28 August 2024	AFC Wimbledon (4)	v	Ipswich Town (1)	Wimbledon
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Plough Lane

Brighton & Hove Albion (1) v Crawley Town (3)

27–28 August 2024	Brighton & Hove Albion (1)	v	Crawley Town (3)	Brighton and Hove
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Falmer Stadium

Millwall (2) v Leyton Orient (3)

27–28 August 2024	Millwall (2)	v	Leyton Orient (3)	Bermondsey
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: The Den

Queens Park Rangers (2) v Luton Town (2)

27–28 August 2024	Queens Park Rangers (2)	v	Luton Town (2)	Shepherd's Bush
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Loftus Road

Swansea City (2) v Wycombe Wanderers (3)

27–28 August 2024	Swansea City (2)	v	Wycombe Wanderers (3)	Swansea
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium

Watford (2) v Plymouth Argyle (2)

27–28 August 2024	Watford (2)	v	Plymouth Argyle (2)	Watford
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: Vicarage Road

West Ham United (1) v Bournemouth (1)

27–28 August 2024	West Ham United (1)	v	Bournemouth (1)	Stratford
TBC BST		Report		Stadium: London Stadium

Top goalscorers

As of 14 August 2024

Rank	Player	Club	Goals
1	Tom Ince	Watford	3
2	Onel Hernández	Norwich City	2
	Charlie McNeill	Sheffield Wednesday
	Matthew Pennington	Blackpool
	Jack Roles	Crawley Town
	Sammie Szmodics	Blackburn Rovers
7	80 players		1