Carabao Cup Semi-Final Draw (2025-26)

The Carabao Cup has nearly reached the semi-final stage for the 2025/2026 season. It’s typically seen as the ‘least important’ tournament of the season, with respective divisions, including the Premier League, and the FA Cup taking priority.

However, it still represents a major domestic trophy, and as we saw last season with Newcastle United, who beat Liverpool in the showpiece finale, it can bring an incredible feeling to a set of fans longing to see some success.

Following three of the four quarter-finals matches in this current campaign, fans of the winning teams – along with Crystal Palace and Arsenal – await earnestly for the draw for the subsequent stage. The first-leg of each tie will take place on 12th January 2026, with the return leg played in the first week of February.

We have outlined everything you need to know about the Carabao Cup draw, including when the matches will take place. This season, every Carabao Cup match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports for fans in the UK, so if you can not watch your side in person, you do not need to worry.

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Carabao Cup Round Four Matches

Three matches took place on Tuesday 28th October, which included Grimsby Town’s short fairy-tale run coming to an end. The League Two side had, of course, beaten Manchester United in the second round, before then dispatching Sheffield Wednesday in the third round. Brentford would then put five past them to secure their own place in the quarter-finals, while Cardiff City and Fulham joined the Bees in the last eight stage too, after beating Wrexham and Wycombe respectively.

There were plenty of goals on Wednesday 29th October, as holders Newcastle booked their place in the last eight with a comfortable win vs Tottenham. Arsenal continued their impressive form with the same score at home to Brighton.

Elsewhere, Manchester City had to come from behind to overcome a stubborn Swansea City and Chelsea defeated Wolves in a seven-goal thriller. Arne Slot’s Liverpool were dumped out of the competition with a 3-0 thrashing at Anfield. Oliver Glasner is looking to add more silverware to last year’s FA Cup at Crystal Palace.

Carabao Cup Quarter-Final Matches

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Having been drawn against League One Cardiff, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition, Chelsea needed two late goals from Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho to make sure of a place in the last four. The Blues were far from their best, but will hope for better in the next stage.

Manchester City and Newcastle were the next two teams to book their spots in the competition’s semi-final. The former made easy work of Brentford at home, while Lewis Miley popped up with a header from a corner in added time to ensure the holders remained in the competition.

The final quarter-final is set to take place between Arsenal and Crystal Palace on Tuesday 23rd December at the Emirates. But both teams now know exactly who they’ll face should they win the tie.

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Semi-Final Draw

The draw for the semi-finals was made following the conclusion of Newcastle’s win against Fulham, with it throwing up two mouth-watering ties for supporters. Chelsea will host one of Arsenal or Crystal Palace, giving the first semi-final tie a London derby feel — the Blues will discover their opponents on the 23rd December.

Meanwhile, Newcastle will make the trip to Manchester City for the first leg of their semi-final, before the return leg at St James’ Park in February. The home crowd will no doubt make it a raucous atmosphere as they will their team to another cup final.

Information via the EFL (Correct as of 29th October 2025)