EFL Cup
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The English Football League Cup, known to many as the League Cup and officially the Carabao Cup, is an annual knockout competition in English men's domestic football. Organized by the English Football League, it's open to all clubs within the top four tiers of the English football league system – that's 92 clubs in total. This includes the Premier League and the three divisions of the EFL: the Championship, League One, and League Two.
First played in the 1960-61 season as the Football League Cup, it stands as one of two major domestic knockout trophies in English football, alongside the FA Cup. It's also one of the three top-tier domestic competitions, alongside the Premier League and FA Cup. Uniquely, it concludes in late February, well before the other two major competitions wrap up in May. The league introduced it as a response to the growing popularity of European football and to assert its influence over the FA. It also capitalized on the advent of floodlights, enabling midweek evening fixtures. With the rebranding of the Football League to the English Football League in 2016, the tournament became the EFL Cup from the 2016-17 season onwards.
The competition unfolds over seven rounds, featuring single-leg ties throughout, with the exception of the semi-finals, which are played over two legs. The grand finale is held at Wembley Stadium, the sole tie in the competition played at a neutral venue and on a weekend, specifically a Sunday. The initial two rounds are divided into North and South sections, and a system of byes, based on league standing, ensures that higher-ranked teams enter in later rounds, deferring the entry of clubs still involved in European competitions. Winners not only lift the EFL Cup – of which there have been three designs, with the current one being the original – but also secure a spot in European football. From 1966-67 to 1971-72, winners entered the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. From 1972-73 to 2019-20, it was the UEFA Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup. Since the 2020-21 season, it's the UEFA Conference League. Should a winner already qualify for Europe through other means by the end of the season, this European place is transferred to the highest-placed Premier League team not yet qualified. The most successful club in the competition's history is Liverpool, with an impressive ten titles. The reigning champions are Newcastle United, who triumphed over Liverpool in the 2025 final to claim their maiden title.
Although the League Cup is one of four domestic trophies English league teams can win, it's generally considered to hold less prestige than the league title or the FA Cup. League Cup winners receive £100,000 in prize money, a sum considered relatively insignificant for top-flight teams compared to the FA Cup's £2 million prize money, which itself is dwarfed by the Premier League's television revenue and Champions League participation rewards. Some clubs have, at times, fielded weaker lineups, creating more opportunities for "giant-killings" by lower-ranked teams. Many Premier League clubs, notably Arsenal and Manchester United, have historically used the competition to blood young talent, gaining valuable big-game experience, only to field their strongest sides if they progress to the latter stages. When Carling ended its sponsorship in 2011, a cited reason was the competition's perceived lack of prestige among fans and larger clubs. However, in 2010, in a contrasting view to Arsène Wenger's dismissiveness, Alex Ferguson described the trophy as "worth winning." After a period where its future was questioned, recent years have seen a resurgence in respect for the trophy, with major Premier League clubs once again dominating. Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea have collectively won 19 editions between 2001 and 2024.
The initial concept for a League Cup emerged from Stanley Rous, who envisioned it as a consolation for clubs eliminated from the FA Cup. However, it was Football League Secretary Alan Hardaker who implemented it. Hardaker initially proposed the competition as a means for clubs to recoup lost revenue due to a reduction in matches during a planned league reorganisation. While the reorganisation didn't materialize immediately, the cup competition was introduced nonetheless. The trophy itself was personally funded by Football League President Joe Richards, who took great pride in the competition, even engraving his name on it. Richards saw the cup's formation as an "interim step" towards league reorganisation, prioritizing changes like reducing the number of clubs per division. Hardaker believed the Football League needed to adapt and lead in revitalizing English football, stating, "It must be obvious to all of you that the time has come to do something, and it is up to the Football League to give the lead." The League Cup was established during a period of declining match-day attendances, with the league having lost a million spectators from the previous season. Tensions between the Football League and the FA were also high, particularly concerning revenue sharing. The late 1950s saw many senior English clubs equipping their grounds with floodlights, opening up possibilities for midweek winter fixtures. The League Cup was introduced in the 1960-61 season specifically as a midweek floodlit tournament, replacing the Southern Professional Floodlit Cup.
The League Cup faced criticism from wealthier clubs. The Times correspondent at the time viewed it as a step in the wrong direction, especially with the European Cup having been established five years prior. Aston Villa became the inaugural winners in 1960-61, defeating Rotherham United over two legs. In an era where English football's quality was considered lower than continental standards, unfashionable clubs like Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers represented England in Europe, having won major honors ahead of giants like Arsenal and Manchester United. Richards referred to the appetite for European football as 'continental fever' and was keen for the league to re-establish itself. Sixteen clubs opposed the competition's creation, while thirty-one approved it. The average attendance for the League Cup was just over 10,500, slightly higher than the Third Division's average gate, while overall Football League attendance had dropped by 4 million. Richards is reputed to have told Hardaker that he foresaw the League Cup final being held at Wembley, but not within his lifetime. The first League Cup final at Wembley was Queens Park Rangers' victory over West Bromwich Albion in 1967. Richards passed away in 1968. The first League Cup was won by Aston Villa, who held the record for major trophies won in England at the time. However, the next three finals were won by clubs that had never previously secured a major trophy. Norwich City, one of these winners, hadn't even played in the First Division at the time.
The introduction of the League Cup significantly boosted the Football League's negotiating power with the FA and UEFA. Hardaker even threatened UEFA with a boycott of the UEFA Cup unless the League Cup winner received European qualification. This tactic proved successful, with UEFA granting the winner a place in European competitions, provided the team was in the first division. Tottenham Hotspur were the first to qualify for Europe through winning the cup. While Leeds United had won the competition earlier, they qualified for Europe based on their league position. Winners Queen's Park Rangers and Swindon Town in 1966-67 and 1968-69, respectively, did not participate in Europe as they were not in the First Division. Before the UEFA agreement, the competition wasn't considered a priority for bigger clubs. However, with a European spot and a Wembley final on offer, its standing improved, and by the 1968-69 season, only Manchester United declined to participate. Everton chose not to compete in 1970-71 to focus on the European Cup, but entry was made compulsory for all Football League teams the following year. Liverpool holds the record for most cup wins with ten, and both they and Manchester City have achieved four consecutive League Cup victories. Liverpool completed two trophy trebles in 1983-84 and 2000-01, winning the League Cup in both instances. English clubs were banned from European competitions for an indefinite period in 1985 following the Heysel disaster. That year's League Cup winners, Norwich City, would have otherwise played in Europe for the first time in the 1985-86 season. Oxford United, Arsenal, Luton Town, and Nottingham Forest also missed out on UEFA Cup participation as League Cup holders over the subsequent four years. Even after the ban was lifted in 1990, League Cup winners didn't participate in Europe for two more years, until Manchester United won the trophy and qualified for the UEFA Cup by finishing second in the league. Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday were prevented from competing in the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners in the two seasons prior due to the gradual reintegration of English clubs into European competitions. In 2016-17, the competition was renamed the EFL Cup as part of the Football League's rebranding to the English Football League.
In the early 21st century, following restructuring of European football competitions, there were discussions about removing the European qualification prize from the League Cup. England and France were the only UEFA members to offer a European berth to winners of their second-tier cup competitions until 2020 when the Coupe de la Ligue was suspended indefinitely, leaving England as the sole UEFA member to do so. This has helped the League Cup maintain its popularity, particularly with fans of clubs for whom cup success represents their only realistic chance of European qualification.
Giant-killings in the League Cup are less prominent than in the FA Cup, due to the absence of non-league sides and the tendency for big clubs to field inexperienced teams in early rounds. Nevertheless, notable upsets have occurred. The 1966-67 final saw Third Division Queens Park Rangers come from 2-0 down to beat top-flight West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at Wembley. Two years later, Third Division Swindon Town defeated Arsenal 3-1 after extra time in the final. In 1974-75, Fourth Division side Chester reached the semi-finals after beating defending league champions Leeds United 3-0. The now-defunct Scarborough, a Fourth Division club, defeated Chelsea 4-3 on aggregate in October 1989. In 1992-93, Scarborough also beat top-tier Coventry City 3-2 on aggregate before narrowly losing 1-0 to Arsenal. In 1995-96, Manchester United were surprisingly beaten 3-0 at home by York City in the second round first leg, exiting the competition 4-3 on aggregate. York went on to repeat the feat against Everton the following year. Grimsby Town recorded several upsets, including defeating Premier League sides Sheffield Wednesday and League Cup holders Leicester City in 1997-98. In 2001-02, they beat holders Liverpool at Anfield in extra time, and four years later, defeated Tottenham Hotspur at home, by then playing in the fourth tier. In the 2025-26 season, Grimsby, in League Two, defeated Manchester United 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Manchester United have also been eliminated by Southend United and Coventry City. In the 2014-15 season, Manchester United lost 4-0 to third-tier MK Dons. In 2010, Liverpool were humbled by League Two side Northampton Town. In the 2012-13 competition, fourth-tier Bradford City eliminated three Premier League sides, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so since Rochdale in 1961-62, before losing the final to Swansea City. Swansea became the first team from outside England to win the League Cup in their centenary year, beating Bradford City 5-0 in 2013. In the 2022-23 competition, Gillingham, ranked 22nd in League Two, eliminated Brentford, 11th in the Premier League, on penalties, a difference of 79 places in the league system.
The League Cup is open to all 92 members of the Premier League and English Football League and is divided into seven rounds. Fixtures in every round except the final are determined by a random draw. Since 1996-97, teams involved in European competition receive a bye to the third round, with other Premier League teams entering at the second round. Most Football League teams enter in the first round, with adjustments to ensure 32 teams remain by the third round. In most cases, seven Premier League clubs in European football result in two Championship teams receiving byes to the second round. In other circumstances, a preliminary round may be used. Preliminary rounds have only been necessary in 2002-03, 2011-12, and 2025-26. Matches in all rounds are single-legged, except for the semi-finals, which have been two-legged since the competition began. The final was two-legged from 1961 to 1966, but has been single-legged ever since. Single-legged matches would be replayed as necessary until 1993-94, when penalties were introduced to settle the first replay. Until 1974-75, two-legged ties level after extra time in the second leg would be replayed. Between 1975-76 and 1979-80, ties would still be replayed, but a penalty shoot-out would decide ties not settled after a replay. Replays of two-legged matches were abolished in 1980-81, with the away goals rule and penalties adopted instead. Semi-finals were the exception, with level ties being replayed until 1986-87, after which the away goals rule and penalties were introduced. From 2018-19, extra time was scrapped for all rounds except the final, and the away goal rule was removed for the semi-final, with level ties going straight to a penalty shoot-out. Since 2024-25, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is used in all EFL Cup ties held at Premier League stadiums.
For the first six seasons, the final was played over two legs. Since 1967, it's been a single match at Wembley Stadium, with the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff used between 2001 and 2007. Between 1967 and 1997, finals that finished level after extra time were replayed. The only final to require two replays was in 1977. Since 1998, finals that finish level after extra time are decided by penalty shoot-out. Until 1999-2000, the final was played in late March or early April; thereafter, it has been played in late February or early March. Since 1989-90, the best player in the final receives the Alan Hardaker Trophy. John Terry, Ben Foster, Vincent Kompany, and Virgil van Dijk are the only players to win this award more than once.
The League Cup has attracted title sponsorship since 1981, leading to various names throughout its history. The winners receive the Football League Cup, a three-handled Georgian-style urn with a separate plinth, weighing 2.976 kg and measuring 27 cm by 20.5 cm, valued at around £20,000. It was used until the 1980-81 competition, returning in 1990-91. The interim period saw sponsors award their own trophies.
In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, Sky Sports broadcasts 15 matches live through 2024, with highlights on ITV Sport from 2022-23. From 2024-25, all matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports, with ITV showing both semi-finals and the final live, sharing coverage with Sky Sports for the final. From 2025-26, Sky Sports will broadcast the EFL Cup on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Football.
As of 2025, Liverpool holds the record for most tournament wins with 10. They also share the record for most consecutive tournament wins with Manchester City, both having won four in a row. Liverpool has made the most final appearances with 15. Sergio Agüero and Fernandinho have won the most individual titles with six. Ian Rush holds the record for most goals scored in the competition with 49. Clive Allen scored the most goals in a single season with 12. Frankie Bunn scored the most goals in a single match with six. The biggest win in a single match is 10-0, achieved by West Ham United and Liverpool. The biggest aggregate win in a semi-final was Manchester City's 10-0 victory over Burton Albion. Swansea City recorded the biggest win in a final, 5-0 against Bradford City. The highest-scoring game saw 12 goals in two separate matches. The most penalties scored in a shootout is 31, and the most attempted is 34. Harvey Elliott is the youngest player at 15 years, 174 days, while Norman Whiteside is the youngest goalscorer in a final at 17 years, 323 days. Barry Venison was the youngest captain in a final at 20 years, 220 days. The most replays in a tie is three. Queens Park Rangers and Swindon Town are the lowest league tier winners, both from the third tier. Rochdale and Bradford City are the lowest league tier runners-up, from the fourth tier. Liverpool secured their tenth EFL Cup title in the 2023-24 season, defeating Chelsea 1-0. In the 2024-25 season, Newcastle United emerged as champions, defeating Liverpool 2-1 in the final on March 16, 2025, marking their first EFL Cup triumph.
The English Football League Cup, often referred to as the League Cup and officially known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual knockout competition in men's domestic football in England.
Organised by the English Football League (EFL), it is open to any club within the top four levels of the English football league system (92 clubs in total) comprising the top-level Premier League, and the three divisions of the English Football League's own league competition (Championship, League One and League Two).
First held in 1960–61 as the Football League Cup, it is one of two major domestic knockout trophies in English football, alongside the FA Cup, and one of the three top-tier domestic football competitions in England, alongside the Premier League and FA Cup. It concludes in late February, long before the other two major competitions, which end in May. It was introduced by the league as a response to the increasing popularity of European football, and to exert power over the FA. It also took advantage of the roll-out of floodlights, allowing fixtures to be played as midweek evening games. With the renaming of the Football League as the English Football League in 2016, the tournament was rebranded as the EFL Cup from the 2016–17 season onwards.
The tournament is played over seven rounds, with single-leg ties throughout, except for the semi-finals, which have home and away legs. The final is held at Wembley Stadium, the only leg in the competition played at a neutral venue and on a weekend (Sunday). The first two rounds are split into North and South sections, and a system of byes based on league level ensures higher-ranked teams enter in later rounds and defers the entry of teams still involved in Europe. Winners not only receive the EFL Cup (of which there have been three designs, the current one also being the original), but also qualify for European football. From 1966–67 until 1971–72 the winners received a place in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, from 1972–1973 until the 2019–20 season in the UEFA Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup) and since the 2020–21 season in the UEFA Conference League. Should the winner also qualify for Europe through other means at the end of the season, this place is transferred to the highest-placed Premier League team that has not already qualified for European competition. The most successful club in the competition is Liverpool, with 10 titles. The current champions are Newcastle United, who defeated Liverpool in the 2025 final to claim their first title.
== Status ==
Although the League Cup is one of the four domestic trophies attainable by English league teams, it is regarded as of lower prestige than the league title or the FA Cup. League Cup winners receive £100,000 prize money (awarded by the Football League) with the runners-up receiving £50,000, considered relatively insignificant to top-flight teams, compared to the £2 million prize money of the FA Cup, which is in turn eclipsed by the Premier League's television money (awarded on final league position) and consequent participation in the Champions League.
Some clubs have repeatedly fielded a weaker side in the competition, making the opportunity for giant-killing of the larger clubs more likely. Many teams in the Premier League, Arsenal and Manchester United in particular, have used the competition to give young players valuable big-game experience – but, if they subsequently reach the latter stages, they then field their strongest possible team.
When Carling opted out of renewing its sponsorship of the League Cup in 2011, one of the reasons for ending sponsorship cited by the company was the lack of prestige the Cup attracted, both from fans and from larger clubs.
However, in 2010, in response to Arsène Wenger's claim that a League Cup win would not end his trophy drought, Alex Ferguson described the trophy as worth winning. After a period of decline when the competition's future was regularly questioned, recent years have seen a revival in respect for the trophy, as the larger Premier League clubs have come to dominate the competition again, and the development nature of the competition has begun to be viewed as a positive for the clubs involved. Premier League giants Manchester City (6), Manchester United (5), Liverpool (5) and Chelsea (3) between them won 19 editions of the tournament between 2001 and 2024.
== History ==
The original idea for a League Cup came from Stanley Rous, who saw the competition as a consolation for clubs who had already been knocked out of the FA Cup. However, it was not Rous who came to implement it, but Football League Secretary Alan Hardaker. Hardaker initially proposed the competition as a way for the clubs to make up for lost revenue due to a reduction in matches played, for when the league was to be reorganised. The reorganisation of the league was not immediately forthcoming; however, the cup competition was introduced regardless.
The trophy was paid for personally by Football League President Joe Richards, who was proud of the competition, and he had his own name engraved on it. Richards described the competition's formation as an "interim step" on the way to the league's re-organisation. Richards' priority was the reorganisation of the leagues, "perhaps by cutting down the number of clubs in each division, as has already been suggested, and even given more consideration to the system of four up and four down".
Hardaker felt that the Football League needed to adapt to the times, as the English game was losing prestige. He felt that the Football League ought to take the lead in revitalising football in the nation: "It must be obvious to all of you that the time has come to do something, and it is up to the Football League to give the lead. I hope the Press will not immediately assume that the League is going to fall out with the F.A. or anybody else... the time has come for our voice to be heard in every problem which affects the professional game."
The League Cup competition was established at a time when match-day attendances were dwindling. The league had lost a million spectators compared to the previous season. It was established at a time when tensions between the Football League and The Football Association were high. The biggest disagreement was about how revenue was shared between the clubs.
During the late 1950s, the majority of senior English clubs equipped their grounds with floodlights. This opened up the opportunity to exploit weekday evenings throughout the winter. The League Cup was introduced in the 1960–61 season specifically as a mid-week floodlit tournament to replace the Southern Professional Floodlit Cup.
The League Cup was criticised by the better-endowed clubs. The Times' correspondent at the time felt that the League Cup was a step in the wrong direction; the European Cup had been formed five years prior to the League Cup and the correspondent felt the League Cup's introduction was adding to existing problems. The Times published on 30 May 1960: "Where a drastic reduction is required in an attempt to raise quality, no doubt quantity and a further spread of mediocrity will be the dose. Where men like Count Bernabeu with his wider horizons, think in terms of a European League for the future in which a lead could surely now be given jointly by our leaders, the Football League propose next season to implement their useless Football League Cup to be played in midweek. It gets the players, the clubs and the public nowhere."
Aston Villa were the inaugural winners in 1960–61, defeating Rotherham United 3–2 in the final over two legs. Football in England was considered to be of a low quality, compared to what was being played on the continent, as relatively unfashionable clubs Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers were England's representatives in Europe that year, having lifted the major honours ahead of much bigger clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United. Richards referred to the appetite for European football as 'continental fever'. He was keen for the league to re-establish itself: 'We must be prepared to put the interests of the League and the game before individual clubs.' Sixteen clubs opposed the competition's creation, thirty-one approved it. The average attendance across the League Cup was 10,556, just higher than the average gate in the Third Division. The total attendance of the Football League competition had fallen by 4 million from the previous season. Richards is reputed to have told Hardaker that he foresaw 'the League Cup final being held at Wembley, but that it wouldn't be during his lifetime'. The first League Cup final to be held at Wembley was Third Division Queens Park Rangers' win over First Division West Bromwich Albion on 4 March 1967. Richards died in 1968.
The first League Cup was won in 1960–61 by Aston Villa who, at the time, held the overall record for major trophies won in England. The next three finals, however, saw the trophy won by clubs that had never previously won a major trophy. One of them, Norwich City, had yet to even play in the First Division, while their opponents Rochdale had played no higher than the Third Division.
The introduction of the League Cup gave the Football League more negotiating power with the FA and UEFA. Hardaker threatened UEFA with a boycott of the UEFA Cup, unless UEFA gave the League Cup winner European qualification. As a result of the negotiating tactics, UEFA provided the League Cup winner with a place in the European competitions, providing the team was in the first division. Tottenham Hotspur were the first team to qualify for Europe by virtue of winning the competition. Although Leeds United had won the competition before Tottenham, Leeds qualified for Europe based on league position. The winners of the 1966–67 and 1968–69 editions, Queen's Park Rangers and Swindon Town did not participate in Europe, as they were not in the First Division.
Prior to the agreement with UEFA, the competition was not considered worthy of the larger clubs' attention. However, once a position in Europe was on offer, as was a final at Wembley Stadium, the competition's standing was improved and in the 1968–69 season only Manchester United declined to participate. Everton chose not to compete in 1970–71 so that they could concentrate their efforts on the European Cup. Entry was made compulsory for all Football League teams the following year.
Liverpool have won the cup on the most occasions with ten victories, and both they and Manchester City have won four League Cups in successive years. Liverpool completed two trebles of trophy wins, in 1983–84 and 2000–01, winning the League Cup in both of these years.
English clubs lost their places in European competitions for an indefinite period in 1985 as a result of the Heysel disaster, where Liverpool fans had taken part in a riot at the European Cup final, resulting in the death of 39 spectators. That year's winners of the League Cup were Norwich City, who would otherwise have played in a European competition for the first time in the 1985–86 season. Oxford United, Arsenal, Luton Town and Nottingham Forest also missed out on the chance to compete in the UEFA Cup as League Cup holders over the next four years. Even when the ban was lifted in 1990, League Cup winners did not participate in European competitions for two more years, when Manchester United won the trophy and qualified for the UEFA Cup anyway, as they had finished second in the league. In the previous two seasons, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday had both been prevented from competing in the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners, due to the gradual reintegration of English clubs in European competitions.
In 2016–17, the competition was renamed the EFL Cup as part of the Football League's rebranding to become the English Football League.
=== Modern changes ===
In the early 21st century, following restructuring of European football, particularly of its international club competitions, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, there were considerations of removing the prize of European qualification from the League Cup's winners. England and France are the only UEFA members to offer a European berth to the winners of their second cup competitions until 2020, when Coupe de la Ligue was suspended indefinitely, meaning England is the only UEFA member to do so. This has allowed the League Cup to retain popularity, especially with fans of clubs for whom success in cup competitions offers their only realistic chance of qualifying for Europe.
=== Giant-killings ===
Giant-killings are less well remembered in the League Cup than in the FA Cup due to the absence of non-league sides and the fact that big clubs often field more inexperienced sides in the early rounds. However, there have been some notable upsets, the final of 1966–67 saw Division Three side Queens Park Rangers come from 2–0 down at half time to win 3–2 against top-flight West Bromwich Albion in the first League Cup Final to be hosted at Wembley Stadium. Two years later in 1968–69, Third Division side Swindon Town beat Arsenal 3–1 after extra time in the final to win the trophy. In 1974–75, Fourth Division side Chester beating defending league champions Leeds United 3–0 on their surprise run to the semi-finals.
Former League club and now defunct Scarborough defeated Chelsea 4–3 on aggregate in October 1989, while a Fourth Division club. In 1992–93, Scarborough then defeated Coventry City (then a top-tier side) 3–2 on aggregate, before ultimately going out of the competition, narrowly, 1–0, against Arsenal.
In 1995–96, Manchester United were beaten 3–0 at home by York City in the second round, first leg; United could only win 3–1 in the second leg and went out 4–3 on aggregate (York went on to repeat the achievement against Everton the following year). United went on to win the FA Premier League and FA Cup double and did not lose another home game that season, while York narrowly avoided relegation to Division Three (fourth tier).
Grimsby Town recorded a number of upsets over a nine-year stretch; whilst playing in the third tier in 1997–98 they defeated Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday 4–3 on aggregate over both legs before knocking out fellow Premier League side (and League Cup holders) Leicester City 3–1. In 2001–02, they beat current holders Liverpool at Anfield with a 2–1 win in extra time. Four years later, they recorded another giant killing by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 at home; by this time Grimsby were playing in the fourth tier. In the 2025–2026 season, Grimsby were also playing in the fourth tier (League Two) when they defeated Manchester United 12-11 in a penalty shootout, after a 2–2 draw at home.
Manchester United have also been knocked out by Southend United and Coventry City in 2006–07 and 2007–08 respectively: in the match against Southend they fielded a strong side with 10 internationals, bucking a trend they had themselves started during the 1990s. In the 2014–15 season, Manchester United fielded five international players but lost 4–0 in the second round (in which they entered the tournament) against third-tier side MK Dons.
In 2010, Liverpool were humbled again by Northampton Town, one of the lowest placed teams in League Two. In the 2012–13 competition, League Two (fourth tier) side Bradford City eliminated three Premier League sides from the competition, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so since Rochdale in 1961–62. However, their luck finally ran out in the final, where they were beaten by Swansea City. In their centenary year, Swansea became the first team from outside England to win the League Cup on 24 February 2013, when they beat Bradford City 5–0 to win their first major English trophy.
In the 2022–23 competition, Gillingham (then ranked 22nd in League Two) eliminated Brentford (then ranked 11th in the Premier League) in the third round on penalties; the teams were 79 places apart in the English football league system.
== Format ==
The League Cup is open to all 92 members of the Premier League and English Football League and is divided into seven rounds, organised so that 32 teams remain by the third round (with the exception of the 1961–62 competition). The fixtures in every round except the final are determined by a random draw. Up to 1995–96, all teams were involved from the second round, although some received byes to that stage. Since 1996–97, teams involved in European competition during the season have received a bye to the third round; the remaining Premier League teams enter at the second round. While most Football League teams enter in the first round, adjustments are made to ensure 32 teams are in the third round. In the most common occurrence, where seven Premier League clubs are in European football, two teams from the EFL Championship receive byes to the second round. In other circumstances, a preliminary round may be used among teams promoted from the previous season's National League and, if required, the lowest-placed finisher(s) from the previous season's EFL League Two. Preliminary rounds have only been necessary in 2002–03, 2011–12 and 2025–26.
Matches in all rounds are single-legged, except for the semi-finals, which have been two-legged since the competition began. The final was two-legged from 1961 to 1966, but has been single-legged ever since. The first round was two-legged from 1975–76 to 2000–01, and the second round was two-legged from 1979–80 to 2000–01. Single-legged matches would be replayed as necessary until 1993–94, when penalties were introduced to settle the first replay; the last single-legged tie to require a replay was played in 1996–97.
Until 1974–75, two-legged ties that remained level after extra time in the second leg would be replayed; in that time, three ties reached a third replay. Between 1975–76 and 1979–80, ties would still be replayed, but a penalty shoot-out would be used to settle ties that could not be decided after a replay; replays of two-legged matches were finally abolished for 1980–81, with the away goals rule and penalties being adopted instead. The semi-finals were the exception to this, with level ties being replayed until 1986–87, after which the away goals rule and penalties were introduced. The semi-finals, when played over two legs, would apply the away goals rule only after extra time. From 2018–19, extra time was scrapped for all rounds except the final, and the away goal rule was scrapped for the semi-final, with level ties going straight to a penalty shoot-out. Since 2024–25, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is used in all EFL Cup ties held at Premier League stadiums.
=== Final ===
For the first six seasons of the Football League Cup, the final was played over two legs, one at the home ground of each finalist. Since 1967, the final has been played as a single match at Wembley Stadium, although the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was used between 2001 and 2007, following the demolition of the old Wembley. Between 1967 and 1997, finals that finished level after extra time were replayed at an alternative venue until a winner was decided. The venues that hosted replays were Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, Old Trafford and Maine Road in Manchester and Villa Park in Birmingham. The only final to require two replays was the 1977 final between Aston Villa and Everton.
Since 1998, finals that have finished level after extra time have been decided by penalty shoot-out. Until 1999–2000, the final was played in late March or early April. Thereafter it has been played in late February or early March.
Since 1989–90, the best player in the League Cup final has been presented with the Alan Hardaker Trophy, named after Alan Hardaker, the former secretary of the Football League who devised the Football League Cup. John Terry, Ben Foster, Vincent Kompany and Virgil van Dijk are the only players to win the award more than once.
== Results by club ==
== Sponsorship ==
From 1981 to the present (except in 2016–17), the League Cup has attracted title sponsorship, which meant, unlike its older sibling the FA Cup, the League Cup was named after its sponsor, giving it the following names:
== Trophy ==
The winners receive the Football League Cup, of which there have been three designs – the current one also being the original, a three-handled Georgian-style urn with a separate plinth (added later). Designed and manufactured by Mappin & Webb, it weighs 2.976 kg and measures 27 cm by 20.5 cm. It is worth around £20,000. It was used until the 1980–81 competition, before coming back into use ever since the 1990–91 competition. The reason for the break in usage was the introduction of the first competition sponsor – the Milk Marketing Board, which chose to award its own trophy from 1981–82 to 1985–86. The next sponsor, Littlewoods, also chose to award their own trophy, from 1986–87 until 1989–90. Later sponsors have used the original.
== Broadcasters ==
In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 15 matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports through 2024 with highlights from the several matches on ITV Sport beginning in 2022/23. This competition is included in the EFL broadcast package.
From 2024/25, all matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports, with ITV showing both semi finals (One first leg and the other second leg) and the final live (Sharing coverage with Sky Sports. With Sky Sports broadcasting the final).
From 2025/26, Sky Sports will broadcast the EFL Cup as of now in Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Football as of now.
== Records ==
As of 2025:
Most tournament wins (team): 10 – Liverpool
Most consecutive tournament wins (team): 4 – Liverpool (1981–1984) and Manchester City (2018–2021)
Most final appearances (team): 15 – Liverpool
Most tournament wins (individual): 6
Sergio Agüero and Fernandinho for Manchester City (2014, 2016, 2018–2021)
Most final appearances: (individual): 6
Ian Rush for Liverpool (1981–1984, 1987, 1995)
Emile Heskey for Leicester City (1997, 1999, 2000), Liverpool (2001, 2003) and Aston Villa (2010)
Fernandinho for Manchester City (2014, 2016, 2018–2021)
Most finals scored in: (individual): 3 – Didier Drogba
Most goals scored (individual, career): 49 – Ian Rush
Most goals scored (individual, season): 12 – Clive Allen, Tottenham Hotspur (1986–87)
Most goals scored (individual, match): 6 – Frankie Bunn (Oldham Athletic, vs Scarborough, 25 October 1989)
Biggest win:
West Ham United 10–0 Bury, second round, second leg, 25 October 1983
Liverpool 10–0 Fulham, second round first leg, 23 September 1986
Biggest aggregate win in a semi-final: Manchester City 10–0 Burton Albion (9–0 home, 1–0 away), 23 January 2019
Biggest win in a final: Swansea City 5–0 Bradford City, 24 February 2013
Highest scoring game: 12 goals
Reading 5–7 (a.e.t.) Arsenal, fourth round, 30 October 2012
Dagenham & Redbridge 6–6 (a.e.t.) Brentford, first round, 12 August 2014
Most penalties scored in a penalty shoot-out: 31
Preston North End 16-15 Fulham (17 September 2024)
Liverpool 14–13 Middlesbrough (23 September 2014)
Derby County 14–13 Carlisle United (23 August 2016)
Most penalties attempted in a penalty shoot-out: 34 – Preston North End 16-15 Fulham (17 September 2024)
Youngest player: Harvey Elliott (15 years, 174 days) – Millwall vs Fulham (25 September 2018)
Youngest goalscorer in the final: Norman Whiteside (17 years, 323 days) – Manchester United vs Liverpool, 1983
Youngest captain in the final: Barry Venison (20 years, 220 days) – Sunderland vs Norwich City, 1985
Most replays in a tie: 3
Tranmere Rovers v. Chester (1968–69, first round): 0–0, 2–2 aet, 1–1 aet, 2–1
Reading v. Brighton & Hove Albion (1974–75, first round): 0–0, 2–2 aet, 0–0 aet, 3–2
Hartlepool v. Bournemouth (1974–75, second round): 1–1, 2–2 aet, 1–1 aet, 1–0
Birmingham City v. Notts County (1983–84, third round): 2–2, 0–0 aet, 0–0 aet, 3–1
Swindon Town v. Bolton Wanderers (1989–90, third round): 3–3, 1–1 aet, 1–1 aet, 2–1 aet
Lowest league tier of a League Cup winner: tier 3
Queens Park Rangers (1966–67; Football League Third Division – overall rank 45th)
Swindon Town (1968–69; Football League Third Division – overall rank 46th)
Lowest league tier of a League Cup runner-up: tier 4
Rochdale F.C. (1961–62; Football League Fourth Division – overall rank 80th)
Bradford City (2012–13; Football League Two – overall rank 75th)
Recent winners:
2023–24 season: Liverpool secured its tenth EFL Cup title, defeating Chelsea 1–0 in the final. This extended its record as the most successful club in the competition's history.
2024–25 season: Newcastle United emerged as champions, defeating Liverpool 2–1 in the final on 16 March 2025. This marked Newcastle's first EFL Cup triumph.
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
England League Cup Full Results 1960–1996 and List of finals (1961–present) at Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF)
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