Carabao Cup Second-Round Draw 2026/27: Chelsea, Spurs and Full Fixtures

The Carabao Cup 2026/27 has entered its second round, with the draw producing several intriguing ties involving Premier League and EFL clubs.

Chelsea will host Luton Town at Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a London derby against Charlton Athletic.

The biggest all-Premier League meeting of the round will see Nottingham Forest face Leeds United, while Newcastle United have been drawn at home against West Bromwich Albion.

A total of 23 matches were drawn after the first-round fixtures were completed, with the ties scheduled for the week commencing August 24, 2026.

Chelsea vs Luton Headlines the Southern Draw

Chelsea have been handed a home tie against Luton Town in one of the most eye-catching fixtures of the second round.

The Blues enter the competition at this stage alongside the other Premier League clubs not involved in European competition.

Luton, meanwhile, will travel to Stamford Bridge hoping to produce one of the round's biggest upsets.

The match will also provide another opportunity for Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso to assess his squad in a domestic cup competition.

Tottenham Face Charlton in London Derby

Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Charlton Athletic in another standout Southern Section fixture.

The all-London contest gives Charlton the opportunity to test themselves against Premier League opposition, while Tottenham will be expected to progress on home soil.

For Spurs, the Carabao Cup represents another route to silverware and a chance to build momentum during the early stages of the season.

Forest vs Leeds Is the All-Premier League Clash

The most significant fixture in the Northern Section is Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United.

With both clubs coming from the Premier League, one top-flight side is guaranteed to exit the competition in the second round.

The tie could therefore become one of the most competitive matches of the round, particularly with both clubs looking to make a strong start to their domestic campaigns.

Newcastle Draw West Brom

Newcastle United will begin their Carabao Cup campaign with a home fixture against West Bromwich Albion.

The Magpies have been handed a potentially tricky test against Championship opposition, although home advantage will make Newcastle favourites to progress.

West Brom will see the fixture as an opportunity to eliminate Premier League opposition and create one of the round's biggest shocks.

Everton Return to Preston

Everton have been drawn away to Preston North End.

The fixture has an interesting connection for Everton manager David Moyes, who began his managerial career at Preston.

Preston will have home advantage when the Premier League side arrives, setting up another potentially difficult cup tie for the visitors.

Full Carabao Cup Second-Round Draw

The draw was once again separated into Northern and Southern sections to reduce travelling distances for clubs.

Northern Section

• Stoke City vs Hull City
• Newcastle United vs West Bromwich Albion
• Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield United
• Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United
• Doncaster Rovers vs Middlesbrough
• Barnsley vs Crewe Alexandra
• Preston North End vs Everton
• Blackpool vs Lincoln City
• Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Bradford City vs Burnley
• Fleetwood Town vs Shrewsbury Town

Southern Section

• Walsall vs Leyton Orient
• Ipswich Town vs Leicester City
• Cardiff City vs Norwich City
• Stevenage vs Reading
• Cambridge United vs Millwall
• Birmingham City vs Brentford
• Southampton vs West Ham United
• Watford vs Peterborough United
• Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon
• Plymouth Argyle vs Coventry City
• Chelsea vs Luton Town
• Tottenham Hotspur vs Charlton Athletic

The complete draw contains a mixture of Premier League clashes, Premier League-versus-EFL ties and matches between EFL clubs.

Premier League Clubs Entering the Competition

The second round welcomed 11 Premier League clubs that are not competing in European competition this season.

Those clubs are:

• Brentford
• Chelsea
• Everton
• Fulham
• Leeds United
• Newcastle United
• Nottingham Forest
• Tottenham Hotspur
• West Ham United
• Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Burnley

The remaining Premier League clubs involved in European competition will enter at the third-round stage.

When Will the Second-Round Matches Be Played?

The Carabao Cup second-round matches are scheduled for the week commencing August 24, 2026.

Individual kick-off dates and times will be confirmed separately, with fixture scheduling taking into account the wider domestic calendar.

The second round will produce 23 winners, who will advance to the third round.

When Does the Carabao Cup Third Round Begin?

The third round is scheduled across the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14, 2026.

The remaining Premier League clubs will enter the competition at that stage, increasing the possibility of major Premier League matchups.

Clubs competing in the Champions League will start in the later third-round week.

Key Carabao Cup 2026/27 Dates

• First Round: August 7-10, 2026
• Second Round: Week commencing August 24, 2026
• Third Round: Weeks commencing September 7 and September 14, 2026
• Fourth Round: Week commencing October 26, 2026
• Fifth Round: Week commencing December 14, 2026
• Semi-Final First Legs: Week commencing January 11, 2027
• Semi-Final Second Legs: Week commencing February 1, 2027
• Final: March 21, 2027

Which Second-Round Ties Should You Watch?

Several fixtures immediately stand out from the draw.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United is the only all-Premier League meeting and guarantees that one top-flight club will be eliminated.

Chelsea vs Luton Town is another major attraction, with the Premier League side hosting a team determined to cause an upset.

Tottenham vs Charlton offers a London derby, while Newcastle vs West Brom and Preston vs Everton provide difficult away assignments for Premier League clubs.

There are also opportunities for lower-league sides to make headlines, particularly AFC Wimbledon away at Fulham and Plymouth Argyle at home against Coventry City.

What Happens After the Second Round?

The 23 winners will progress to the third round, where they will be joined by the Premier League clubs entering the competition at that stage.

From there, the tournament moves into the knockout rounds, with every tie becoming another step towards the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

For the Premier League entrants, the second round represents the beginning of their domestic cup campaigns. For EFL clubs, meanwhile, it is an opportunity to eliminate top-flight opposition and potentially generate a major financial and sporting boost.

With Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle, Everton and several other Premier League clubs now discovering their opponents, the road to Wembley is beginning to take shape.

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