While the majority of focus during the 2022/23 English domestic season will be at the Premier League, the Carabao Cup provides a chance to silverware that is suitable for big and smaller sides.
The Carabao Cup (also known as the EFL/League Cup) has undergone an overhaul that was successful during the last few seasons, seeing the tournament being revived in the eye of the big Premier League players.
In the last season, Liverpool secured their first trophy since 2012, when Jurgen Klopp’s team edged out Chelsea in a shootout at Wembley in the penalty shootout to stop Manchester City’s four-year consecutive victory in the trophy.
The renewed interest of City, Liverpool and others has brought the sport up from its ashes, and 2022/23 could be another thrilling event.
What are 2022 / 23 Carabao Cup dates?
In terms of a smaller format competition as compared with the FA Cup, the Carabao/EFL Cup is more flexible with regards to fixture timetable.
Without the preliminary and qualifier rounds because only 92 teams of the Premier League to League Two English pyramid participating in the tournament .The tournament starts with the opening round’s proper stage.
In the initial roundof the draw, 70 teams participate in the draw, which includes the 24 teams from League One and Two, as well as twenty-two of the EFL Championship teams.
Round two features the Championship teams that were ranked 18th and 19th on the Premier League in 2021/22 (Burnley and Watford) and the 13 non European participating Premier League clubs, and round three will see the final seven teams from the top flight enter.
| Round | Date (weekend of) |
| First Round | Aug. 9, 2022 |
| Second Round | Aug. 23, 2022 |
| Third Round | Nov. 8, 2022 |
| Fourth Round | Dec. 20, 2022 |
| Quarter Final | Jan. 10, 2023 |
| Semi Final (Two Legs) | Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 2023 |
| Final | Feb. 26, 2023 |
When is the Carabao Cup final?
The Carabao/EFL Cup final is traditionally held much earlier than the FA Cup and European finals, with a late February date a usual fixture in the calendar.
The two-legged semifinals are both played home and away at the respective clubs, unlike the FA Cup last four ties, with the final showdown saved for Wembley.
The 2022/23 final will be held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, February 26. The 2021/22 final kicked off at 16:30 (UK time), but the 2023 final start time is yet to be confirmed.
Will the Premier League fixture list collide with the Carabao Cup final?
The demands of the Premier League fixture list, particularly with the extra pressure of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, mean the 2022/23 schedule will be subject to ongoing changes.
The Carabao/EFL Cup final does not have the same level of protection as the FA Cup, with Premier League games expected to take place on the weekend of the final.
Due to the likelihood of at least one Premier League side competing in the final, there will be a reduced amount of games. The 2021/22 season included six top-flight matches the day before and Wolves vs. West Ham kicked off just beforehand.
