View source for EFL Cup

{{short description|Football tournament}}
{{distinguish|text = the [[EFL Trophy]]}}
{{pp-move-dispute|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox football tournament
| name = EFL Cup
| image = EFL (Carabao) Cup Logo.svg
| imagesize =
| caption = EFL Cup logo used since 2017–18 season
| current = [[2025–26 EFL Cup]]
| organiser = [[English Football League]]
| founded = {{ubl|{{start date and age|df=y|1960}} (as Football League Cup)|{{start date and age|df=yes|2016}} (as EFL Cup)}}
| number of teams = 92
| qualifier for = [[UEFA Conference League]]
| current champions = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]<br />(1st title)
| region = {{flag|England}}<br/>{{flag|Wales}}
| most successful club = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]<br />(10 titles)
| broadcasters = [[Sky Sports]]<br />[[ITV Sport|ITV]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.efl.com/competitions/carabao-cup|efl.com/competitions/carabao-cup}}
}}

The '''English Football League Cup''', often referred to as the '''League Cup''' and officially known as the '''Carabao<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:BOLDLINK]] for further guidance --> Cup''' for sponsorship reasons, is an annual [[Single-elimination tournament|knockout competition]] in men's domestic [[football in England]].

Organised by the [[English Football League]] (EFL), it is open to any [[football club (association football)|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 ([[EFL Championship|Championship]], [[EFL League One|League One]] and [[EFL League Two|League Two]]).

First held in [[1960–61 Football League Cup|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, both of 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.{{Citation needed|reason=What rationale explains why it exerted power over the FA?|date=December 2024}} 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 EFL Cup|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 [[Bye (sports)|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<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/competition/the-trophy/ |title=The Trophy |website=capitalonecup.co.uk |access-date=28 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314234029/http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/competition/the-trophy/ |archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> (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 F.C.|Liverpool]], with 10 titles. The current champions are [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], who defeated Liverpool in the [[2025 EFL Cup final|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]].<ref>{{cite web |last=DeBruler |first=Paul |title=Let's Remove the Premier League from the League Cup |url=http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2015/10/28/9626748/lets-remove-the-premier-league-from-the-league-cup |website=SB Nation |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=17 July 2016 |archive-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816152621/http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2015/10/28/9626748/lets-remove-the-premier-league-from-the-league-cup |url-status=live}}</ref> 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&nbsp;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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/Faqs/0,,12306,00.html |title=Frequently asked questions about the F.A. Premier League, (How are television revenues distributed to Premier League clubs?) |publisher=Premier League |access-date=11 December 2007 |archive-date=26 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126062218/http://www.premierleague.com/page/Faqs/0,,12306,00.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-nets-16314bn-tv-rights-bonanza-1925462.html |title=Premier League nets £1.4bn TV rights bonanza |last=Harris |first=Nick |date=23 March 2010 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=12 September 2010 |archive-date=26 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326095130/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-nets-16314bn-tv-rights-bonanza-1925462.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Some clubs have repeatedly fielded a weaker side in the competition, making the opportunity for [[Upset (competition)|giant-killing]] of the larger clubs more likely. Many teams in the [[Premier League]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in particular, have used the competition to give young players valuable big-game experience<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/2/28/sports/3371444&sec=sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301004437/http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F2%2F28%2Fsports%2F3371444&sec=sports |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 March 2009 |title=MU boss vows to field young guns in the League Cup final |date=28 February 2009 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |access-date=27 February 2011}}</ref> – 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/sep/27/carling-cup-sponsorship-league-molson |title=Carling opt out of League Cup sponsorship after 14 seasons |work=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=20 March 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429230228/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/sep/27/carling-cup-sponsorship-league-molson |archive-date=29 April 2021}}</ref>

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 F.C.|Manchester City]] (6), [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] (5), [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] (5) and [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] (3) between them won 19 editions of the tournament between 2001 and 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/carling-cup-worth-winning-says-2764546 |title=Carling Cup worth winning says Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson |date=26 February 2010 |work=[[Liverpool Daily Post|Daily Post]] |access-date=27 February 2010 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208154437/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/carling-cup-worth-winning-says-2764546 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:League Cup at Old Trafford.jpg|thumb|The League Cup]]

==History==
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:left; margin-top:15px; font-size:85%"
|+ Winners
|-
! Year
!style="width:210px"| Winner
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1961 Football League Cup final|1961]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1962 Football League Cup final|1962]]
|[[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1963 Football League Cup final|1963]]
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1964 Football League Cup final|1964]]
|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1965 Football League Cup final|1965]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1966 Football League Cup final|1966]]
|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1967 Football League Cup final|1967]]
|[[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1968 Football League Cup final|1968]]
|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1969 Football League Cup final|1969]]
|[[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1970 Football League Cup final|1970]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1971 Football League Cup final|1971]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1972 Football League Cup final|1972]]
|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1973 Football League Cup final|1973]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1974 Football League Cup final|1974]]
|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1975 Football League Cup final|1975]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1976 Football League Cup final|1976]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1977 Football League Cup final|1977]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1978 Football League Cup final|1978]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1979 Football League Cup final|1979]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1980 Football League Cup final|1980]]
|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1981 Football League Cup final|1981]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1982 Football League Cup final|1982]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1983 Football League Cup final|1983]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1984 Football League Cup final|1984]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1985 Football League Cup final|1985]]
|[[Norwich F.C.|Norwich City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1986 Football League Cup final|1986]]
|[[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1987 Football League Cup final|1987]]
|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1988 Football League Cup final|1988]]
|[[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1989 Football League Cup final|1989]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1990 Football League Cup final|1990]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1991 Football League Cup final|1991]]
|[[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1992 Football League Cup final|1992]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1993 Football League Cup final|1993]]
|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1994 Football League Cup final|1994]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1995 Football League Cup final|1995]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1996 Football League Cup final|1996]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1997 Football League Cup final|1997]]
|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1998 Football League Cup final|1998]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1999 Football League Cup final|1999]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2000 Football League Cup final|2000]]
|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2001 Football League Cup final|2001]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(6)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2002 Football League Cup final|2002]]
|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2003 Football League Cup final|2003]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(7)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2004 Football League Cup final|2004]]
|[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2005 Football League Cup final|2005]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2006 Football League Cup final|2006]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2007 Football League Cup final|2007]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2008 Football League Cup final|2008]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2009 Football League Cup final|2009]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2010 Football League Cup final|2010]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2011 Football League Cup final|2011]]
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2012 Football League Cup final|2012]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(8)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2013 Football League Cup final|2013]]
|[[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2014 Football League Cup final|2014]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2015 Football League Cup final|2015]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2016 Football League Cup final|2016]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2017 EFL Cup final|2017]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2018 EFL Cup final|2018]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2019 EFL Cup final|2019]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(6)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2020 EFL Cup final|2020]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(7)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2021 EFL Cup final|2021]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(8)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2022 EFL Cup final|2022]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(9)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2023 EFL Cup final|2023]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(6)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2024 EFL Cup final|2024]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(10)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2025 EFL Cup final|2025]]
|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] (1)
|}
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.

[[File:MilkCup.png|thumb|upright|Trophy of the competition when it was known as the "Milk Cup"]]

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.<ref name="inglis-215">{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=215}}</ref> 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."<ref name="inglis-215"/>

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 (sport)|floodlight]]s. This opened up the opportunity to exploit weekday evenings throughout the winter. The League Cup was introduced in the [[1960–61 in English football|1960–61 season]] specifically as a mid-week floodlit tournament to replace the [[Southern Professional Floodlit Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Southern Professional Floodlit Cup 1955–1960 |url=http://footysphere.com/post/193658201/the-southern-professional-floodlit-cup |publisher=Footysphere |access-date=11 November 2012 |date=22 September 2009 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181050/http://footysphere.com/post/193658201/the-southern-professional-floodlit-cup |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:LeagueCupTankard.jpg|thumb|left|Rather than the traditional medal, each member of the League Cup-winning team used to receive a tankard. Today, winning players receive medals.]]

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 [[Santiago Bernabéu Yeste|Count Bernabeu]] with his wider horizons, think in terms of a [[UEFA Champions League|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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Nothing new in League Cup: Football innovation gets us nowhere|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1960-05-30-04-004&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1960-05-30-04|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=26 October 2013|date=30 May 1960}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] were the inaugural winners in [[1960–61 Football League Cup|1960–61]], defeating [[Rotherham United F.C.|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 F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|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.'<ref name="inglis-216">{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=216}}</ref> Sixteen clubs opposed the competition's creation, thirty-one approved it.<ref name="inglis-216"/> The average attendance across the League Cup was 10,556, just higher than the average gate in the Third Division.<ref>{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=228}}</ref> The total attendance of the [[Football League]] competition had fallen by 4&nbsp;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 F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]' win over First Division [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on 4 March 1967. Richards died in 1968.

The first League Cup was won in [[1960–61 Football League Cup|1960–61]] by [[Aston Villa F.C.|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 F.C.|Norwich City]], had yet to even play in the First Division, while their opponents [[Rochdale F.C.|Rochdale]] had played no higher than the Third Division.<ref name="inglis-205">{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |publisher=HarperCollins |year=1988 |page=205 |isbn=978-0002182423}}</ref>

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 Europa League|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 Football League Cup|1966–67]] and [[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69 editions]], [[Queen's Park Rangers F.C.|Queen's Park Rangers]] and [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] did not participate in Europe, as they were not in the First Division.<ref>{{cite web |title=Club History |url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2017/apr-2017/club-history2/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=swindontownfc.co.uk|archive-date=22 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522174554/http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/club/history/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

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 Football League Cup|1968–69 season]] only Manchester United declined to participate.<ref>{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=League football and the men who made it |publisher=HarperCollins |year=1988 |isbn=978-0002182423 |location=London |pages=242}}</ref> Everton chose not to compete in [[1970–71 Football League Cup|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 F.C.|Liverpool]] have won the cup on the most occasions with ten victories, and both they and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] have won four League Cups in successive years. Liverpool completed two [[Treble (association football)|trebles]] of trophy wins, in [[1983–84 Football League Cup|1983–84]] and [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]], winning the League Cup in both of these years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://talksport.com/football/157364/flashback-liverpool-win-treble-15-years-man-united-14053093661/|title=Flashback: Liverpool win treble 15 years before Man United|work=talkSport|date=30 May 2014|access-date=13 February 2023|last=Mannion|first=Danny|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213154254/https://talksport.com/football/157364/flashback-liverpool-win-treble-15-years-man-united-14053093661/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/liverpools-2001-team-better-than-istanbul-squad-hamann/up1iups2tig215qjxox0ahnw1|title=Liverpool's 2001 team was better than the miracle of Istanbul squad – Hamann|work=Goal|date=12 April 2020|access-date=13 February 2023|last=Smith|first=Emma|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213154257/https://www.goal.com/en/news/liverpools-2001-team-better-than-istanbul-squad-hamann/up1iups2tig215qjxox0ahnw1|url-status=live}}</ref>

English clubs lost their places in European competitions for an indefinite period in 1985 as a result of the [[Heysel disaster]], where [[Liverpool F.C.|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 F.C.|Norwich City]], who would otherwise have played in a European competition for the first time in the [[1985–86 in English football|1985–86 season]]. [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] and [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|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 F.C.|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 F.C.|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 EFL Cup|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 ===

==== Perception ====
In the early 21st century, the League Cup was sometimes derided as a "[[Mickey Mouse cup|Mickey Mouse]]" trophy by sections of the media and rival supporters, though others defended its status and significance to players and clubs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |title=Craig Bellamy: Liverpool were not going to let this chance pass |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/feb/26/craig-bellamy-liverpool-cardiff-city |work=The Guardian |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Henry |title=Kenny Dalglish tells Manchester United and Chelsea: 'Don't call it a Mickey Mouse trophy' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/9108103/Kenny-Dalglish-tells-Manchester-United-and-Chelsea-Dont-call-it-a-Mickey-Mouse-trophy.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Guardiola on Carabao Cup |url=https://x.com/fabrizioromano/status/1762376770852880560 |work=[[Fabrizio Romano]] |date=24 February 2024 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

From the late 2010s into the 2020s, several developments helped to bolster the competition's profile. In 2018, the EFL removed extra time from earlier rounds to reduce fixture congestion, and during the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football|pandemic]] the 2020–21 semi-finals were played as single-leg ties.<ref>{{cite news |title=EFL confirms scrapping of extra time in Carabao Cup first five rounds |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11413583/carabao-cup-extra-time-scrapped-for-first-five-rounds-by-efl |work=Sky Sports |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carabao Cup substitutions |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2021/january/carabao-cup-substitutions/ |website=EFL.com |date=4 January 2021 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> At the same time, the winners continued to receive a UEFA berth—latterly a place in the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] play-off round—while France suspended its own League Cup after 2019–20 to ease the calendar.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Premier League clubs qualify for European competitions |url=https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/373663 |website=Premier League |date=1 August 2024 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=French League Cup to disappear from next season |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/french-league-cup-to-disappear-from-next-season-idUSKBN1W3245/ |work=Reuters |date=18 September 2019 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

Audience and attendances have reflected this shift. The [[2023 EFL Cup final|2023 final]] drew a record 4.26 million UK viewers on [[Sky Sports]]; in [[2025 EFL Cup final|2025 the final]] peaked at nearly eight million viewers across Sky and [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], with an 88,513 crowd at Wembley.<ref>{{cite news |title=Carabao Cup final watched by record audience on Sky Sports as Man Utd beat Newcastle to trophy |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12823529/carabao-cup-final-watched-by-record-audience-on-sky-sports-as-man-utd-beat-newcastle-to-trophy |work=Sky Sports |date=2 March 2023 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Data: Nearly 8m watch Newcastle lift Carabao Cup |url=https://www.advanced-television.com/2025/03/18/data-nearly-8m-watch-newcastle-lift-carabao-cup/ |website=Advanced Television |date=18 March 2025 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Liverpool beaten at Wembley by Newcastle in Carabao Cup final |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-beaten-wembley-newcastle-carabao-cup-final |website=Liverpool FC |date=16 March 2025 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> The competition has also remained a route to early-season silverware for leading clubs—Manchester City, for example, won four consecutive titles between 2018 and 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarra |first=Kevin |title=Manchester City win fourth consecutive Carabao Cup as Aymeric Laporte sinks Spurs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/25/manchester-city-tottenham-carabao-cup-match-report |work=The Guardian |date=25 April 2021 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

Broadcast distribution has expanded in parallel, with new multi-year international deals in markets such as the United States and a broadened list of global partners.<ref>{{cite web |title=CBS Sports announces multi-year, multi-platform rights agreement with English Football League |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/july/18/cbs-sports-announces-multi-year--multi-platform-rights-agreement-with-english-football-league/ |website=EFL.com |date=18 July 2024 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Broadcast Partners |url=https://www.efl.com/how-to-watch/broadcast-partners |website=EFL.com |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

===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 Football League Cup|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 Football League Cup|1968–69]], Third Division side [[Swindon Town]] beat [[Arsenal FC|Arsenal]] 3–1 after extra time in the final to win the trophy. In [[1974–75 Football League Cup|1974–75]], [[Football League Division Four|Fourth Division]] side [[Chester City F.C.|Chester]] beating defending league champions [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] 3–0 on their surprise run to the semi-finals.

Former League club and now defunct [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] defeated [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] 4–3 on aggregate in October 1989, while a Fourth Division club. In [[1992–93 Football League Cup|1992–93]], [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] then defeated [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] (then a top-tier side) 3–2 on aggregate, before ultimately going out of the competition, narrowly, 1–0, against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].

In [[1995–96 Football League Cup|1995–96]], [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] were beaten 3–0 at home by [[York City F.C.|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 F.C.|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 F.C.|Grimsby Town]] recorded a number of upsets over a nine-year stretch; whilst playing in the [[EFL League One|third tier]] in 1997–98 they defeated [[Premier League]] side [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] 4–3 on aggregate over both legs before knocking out fellow Premier League side (and League Cup holders) [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] 3–1. In 2001–02, they beat current holders [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]] with a 2–1 win in extra time. Four years later, they recorded another giant killing by defeating [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] 1–0 at home; by this time Grimsby were playing in the fourth tier. In the [[2025–26 EFL Cup|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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-28 |title=Man Utd misery continues with League Cup shootout defeat to Grimsby |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/man-utd-misery-continues-with-league-cup-shootout-defeat-grimsby-2025-08-27/ |access-date=2025-08-28 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

Manchester United have also been knocked out by [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] and [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] in [[2006–07 Football League Cup|2006–07]] and [[2007–08 Football League Cup|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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Southend 1–0 Man Utd|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6116346.stm|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 November 2006|archive-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921151223/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6116346.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2014–15 season, [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] fielded five international players but lost 4–0 in the second round (in which they entered the tournament) against third-tier side [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|MK Dons]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Manchester United loss to MK Dons: press, fan, coach and player reaction|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/manchester-united-loss-to-mk-dons-press-fan-coach-and-player-reaction/story-fndkzvnd-1227038631108|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=News.com.au|date=27 August 2014|archive-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827161712/http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/manchester-united-loss-to-mk-dons-press-fan-coach-and-player-reaction/story-fndkzvnd-1227038631108|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] were humbled again by [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]], one of the lowest placed teams in League Two.  In the 2012–13 competition, League Two (fourth tier) side [[Bradford City F.C.|Bradford City]] eliminated three Premier League sides from the competition, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so since Rochdale in [[1961–62 Football League Cup|1961–62]]. However, their luck finally ran out in the final, where they were beaten by [[Swansea City A.F.C.|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 EFL Cup|2022–23]] competition, [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] (then ranked 22nd in League Two) eliminated [[Brentford F.C.|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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/premier-league-giant-killers-revel-in-remarkable-win-5914566-Nov2022/|title='We had to walk here' – Premier League giant killers revel in remarkable win|website=The42|date=9 November 2022 |access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109220923/https://www.the42.ie/premier-league-giant-killers-revel-in-remarkable-win-5914566-Nov2022/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportgister.com.ng/giant-killers-gillingham-knock-out-brentford-from-carabao-cup/|title=Giant Killers: Gillingham knock out Brentford from Carabao Cup|first=Sedara|last=Oluwadara|date=9 November 2022|access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109220930/https://sportgister.com.ng/giant-killers-gillingham-knock-out-brentford-from-carabao-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==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 Football League Cup|1961–62]] competition).<ref name="soccerdata">{{cite web |title=The Football League Cup |url=http://www.soccer.mistral.co.uk/books/flctext.htm |work=soccer.mistral.co.uk |publisher=SoccerData |access-date=29 August 2012 |archive-date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005085103/http://www.soccer.mistral.co.uk/books/flctext.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The fixtures in every round except the final are determined by a random draw. Up to [[1995–96 Football League Cup|1995–96]], all teams were involved from the second round, although some received byes to that stage.<ref name="soccerdata"/> Since [[1996–97 Football League Cup|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.<ref name="soccerdata"/> 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,<ref>{{cite web |title=How Premier League could have 11 teams in European competition |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13330905/how-premier-league-could-have-11-teams-in-european-competition-next-season |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> two teams from the [[EFL Championship]]<ref>Usually the highest finishers of the relegated teams from the previous season's Premier League</ref> 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 (English football)|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 Football League Cup|2002–03]], [[2011–12 Football League Cup|2011–12]] and [[2025–26 EFL Cup|2025–26]].<ref name="soccerdata"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Carling Cup set for preliminary round |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/capitalonecup/news/20110613/carling-cup-set-for-preliminary-round_2293330_2375498 |publisher=The Football League |date=13 June 2011 |access-date=29 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216012223/http://www.football-league.co.uk/capitalonecup/news/20110613/carling-cup-set-for-preliminary-round_2293330_2375498 |archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 June 2025 |title=Carabao Cup format confirmed for 2025/26 season |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/june/12/carabao-cup-format-confirmed-for-2025-26-season/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=EFL}}</ref>

Matches in all rounds are single-legged, except for the semi-finals, which have been two-legged since the competition began.<ref name="soccerdata"/> The final was two-legged from [[1961 Football League Cup final|1961]] to [[1966 Football League Cup final|1966]], but has been single-legged ever since.<ref name="soccerdata"/> The first round was two-legged from [[1975–76 Football League Cup|1975–76]] to [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]], and the second round was two-legged from [[1979–80 Football League Cup|1979–80]] to [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]].<ref name="soccerdata"/> Single-legged matches would be replayed as necessary until [[1993–94 Football League Cup|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 Football League Cup|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.<ref name="soccerdata"/> Between [[1975–76 Football League Cup|1975–76]] and [[1979–80 Football League Cup|1979–80]], ties would still be replayed, but a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|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 Football League Cup|1980–81]], with the [[away goals rule]] and penalties being adopted instead.<ref name="soccerdata"/> The semi-finals were the exception to this, with level ties being replayed until [[1986–87 Football League Cup|1986–87]], after which the away goals rule and penalties were introduced.<ref name="soccerdata"/> The semi-finals, when played over two legs, would apply the away goals rule only after extra time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.givemesport.com/1698902-jamie-carragher-slams-uefas-decision-to-scrap-away-goals-rule-in-european-football|title=Jamie Carragher slams UEFA's decision to scrap away goals rule in European football|publisher=givemesport.com|date=28 May 2021|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213336/https://www.givemesport.com/1698902-jamie-carragher-slams-uefas-decision-to-scrap-away-goals-rule-in-european-football|url-status=live}}</ref>{{failed verification |reason=This source doesn't mention EFL Cup|date=July 2023}} From [[2018–19 EFL Cup|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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44415928 |title=Carabao Cup: Extra time scrapped & VAR to be used at Premier League grounds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140231/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44415928 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/june/extra-time-removed-from-carabao-cup-matches/|title=2018/19: Carabao Cup rule changes|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624021409/https://www.efl.com/news/2018/june/extra-time-removed-from-carabao-cup-matches/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2024–25, the [[Video Assistant Referee]] (VAR) system is used in all EFL Cup ties held at Premier League stadiums.

===Final===
[[File:Chelsea Vs Arsenal - Carling Cup Final 25 Feb 2007.jpg|thumb|Pre-match presentation at the [[2007 Football League Cup final|2007 final]] between Chelsea and Arsenal at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff]]

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 Football League Cup final|1967]], the final has been played as a single match at [[Wembley Stadium]], although the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff was used between [[2001 Football League Cup final|2001]] and [[2007 Football League Cup final|2007]], following the demolition of the [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|old Wembley]]. Between 1967 and [[1997 Football League Cup final|1997]], finals that finished level after extra time were replayed at an alternative venue until a winner was decided.<ref name="soccerdata"/> 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 Football League Cup final|1977 final]] between [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] and [[Everton F.C.|Everton]].<ref name="soccerdata"/>

Since [[1998 Football League Cup final|1998]], finals that have finished level after extra time have been decided by penalty shoot-out.<ref name="soccerdata"/> Until [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|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 Football League Cup|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 (footballer)|Ben Foster]], [[Vincent Kompany]] and [[Virgil van Dijk]] are the only players to win the award more than once.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alan Hardaker Trophy |url=https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/the-alan-hardaker-trophy |publisher=EFL |access-date=27 July 2018 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181016/https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/the-alan-hardaker-trophy |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Results by club==
{{See also|List of EFL Cup finals}}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ EFL Cup finalists by club
|-
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | Winners
! scope="col" | Years won
! scope="col" | Runners-up
! scope="col" | Years runners-up
! scope="col" | Final appearances
|-
!scope="row" | [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| align="center" | 10
| [[1980–81 Football League Cup|1980–81]], [[1981–82 Football League Cup|1981–82]], [[1982–83 Football League Cup|1982–83]], [[1983–84 Football League Cup|1983–84]], [[1994–95 Football League Cup|1994–95]], [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]], [[2002–03 Football League Cup|2002–03]], [[2011–12 Football League Cup|2011–12]], [[2021–22 EFL Cup|2021–22]], [[2023–24 EFL Cup|2023–24]]
| align="center" | 5
| [[1977–78 Football League Cup|1977–78]], [[1986–87 Football League Cup|1986–87]], [[2004–05 Football League Cup|2004–05]], [[2015–16 Football League Cup|2015–16]], [[2024–25 EFL Cup|2024–25]]
| align="center" | 15
|-
!scope="row" | [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| align="center" | 8
| [[1969–70 Football League Cup|1969–70]], [[1975–76 Football League Cup|1975–76]], [[2013–14 Football League Cup|2013–14]], [[2015–16 Football League Cup|2015–16]], [[2017–18 Football League Cup|2017–18]], [[2018–19 EFL Cup|2018–19]], [[2019–20 EFL Cup|2019–20]], [[2020–21 EFL Cup|2020–21]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1973–74 Football League Cup|1973–74]]
| align="center" | 9
|-
!scope="row" | [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| align="center" | 6
| [[1991–92 Football League Cup|1991–92]], [[2005–06 Football League Cup|2005–06]], [[2008–09 Football League Cup|2008–09]], [[2009–10 Football League Cup|2009–10]], [[2016–17 EFL Cup|2016–17]], [[2022–23 EFL Cup|2022–23]]
| align="center" | 4
| [[1982–83 Football League Cup|1982–83]], [[1990–91 Football League Cup|1990–91]], [[1993–94 Football League Cup|1993–94]], [[2002–03 Football League Cup|2002–03]]
| align="center" | 10
|-
!scope="row" | [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| align="center" | 5
| [[1964–65 Football League Cup|1964–65]], [[1997–98 Football League Cup|1997–98]], [[2004–05 Football League Cup|2004–05]], [[2006–07 Football League Cup|2006–07]], [[2014–15 Football League Cup|2014–15]]
| align="center" | 5
| [[1971–72 Football League Cup|1971–72]], [[2007–08 Football League Cup|2007–08]], [[2018–19 EFL Cup|2018–19]], [[2021–22 EFL Cup|2021–22]], [[2023–24 EFL Cup|2023–24]]
| align="center" | 10
|-
!scope="row" | [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
| align="center" | 5
| [[1960–61 Football League Cup|1960–61]], [[1974–75 Football League Cup|1974–75]], [[1976–77 Football League Cup|1976–77]], [[1993–94 Football League Cup|1993–94]], [[1995–96 Football League Cup|1995–96]]
| align="center" | 4
| [[1962–63 Football League Cup|1962–63]], [[1970–71 Football League Cup|1970–71]], [[2009–10 Football League Cup|2009–10]], [[2019–20 EFL Cup|2019–20]]
| align="center" | 9
|-
!scope="row" | [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
| align="center" | 4
| [[1970–71 Football League Cup|1970–71]], [[1972–73 Football League Cup|1972–73]], [[1998–99 Football League Cup|1998–99]], [[2007–08 Football League Cup|2007–08]]
| align="center" | 5
| [[1981–82 Football League Cup|1981–82]], [[2001–02 Football League Cup|2001–02]], [[2008–09 Football League Cup|2008–09]], [[2014–15 Football League Cup|2014–15]], [[2020–21 EFL Cup|2020–21]]
| align="center" | 9
|-
!scope="row" | [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]
| align="center" | 4
| [[1977–78 Football League Cup|1977–78]], [[1978–79 Football League Cup|1978–79]], [[1988–89 Football League Cup|1988–89]], [[1989–90 Football League Cup|1989–90]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1979–80 Football League Cup|1979–80]], [[1991–92 Football League Cup|1991–92]]
| align="center" | 6
|-
!scope="row" | [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
| align="center" | 3
| [[1963–64 Football League Cup|1963–64]], [[1996–97 Football League Cup|1996–97]], [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|1999–2000]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1964–65 Football League Cup|1964–65]], [[1998–99 Football League Cup|1998–99]]
| align="center" | 5
|-
!scope="row" | [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1986–87 Football League Cup|1986–87]], [[1992–93 Football League Cup|1992–93]]
| align="center" | 6
| [[1967–68 Football League Cup|1967–68]], [[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69]], [[1987–88 Football League Cup|1987–88]], [[2006–07 Football League Cup|2006–07]], [[2010–11 Football League Cup|2010–11]], [[2017–18 Football League Cup|2017–18]]
| align="center" | 8
|-
!scope="row" | [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1961–62 Football League Cup|1961–62]], [[1984–85 Football League Cup|1984–85]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1972–73 Football League Cup|1972–73]], [[1974–75 Football League Cup|1974–75]]
| align="center" | 4
|-
!scope="row" | [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1962–63 Football League Cup|1962–63]], [[2010–11 Football League Cup|2010–11]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]]
| align="center" | 3
|-
!scope="row" | [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1973–74 Football League Cup|1973–74]], [[1979–80 Football League Cup|1979–80]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1965–66 Football League Cup|1965–66]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1966–67 Football League Cup|1966–67]], [[1969–70 Football League Cup|1969–70]]
| align="center" | 3
|-
!scope="row" | [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[2003–04 Football League Cup|2003–04]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1996–97 Football League Cup|1996–97]], [[1997–98 Football League Cup|1997–98]]
| align="center" | 3
|-
!scope="row" | [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[2024–25 EFL Cup|2024–25]]
| align="center" | 2
| [[1975–76 Football League Cup|1975–76]], [[2022–23 EFL Cup|2022–23]]
| align="center" | 3
|-
!scope="row" | [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1966–67 Football League Cup|1966–67]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1985–86 Football League Cup|1985–86]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1967–68 Football League Cup|1967–68]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1995–96 Football League Cup|1995–96]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1971–72 Football League Cup|1971–72]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1963–64 Football League Cup|1963–64]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1987–88 Football League Cup|1987–88]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1988–89 Football League Cup|1988–89]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1990–91 Football League Cup|1990–91]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1992–93 Football League Cup|1992–93]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[1985–86 Football League Cup|1985–86]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[2001–02 Football League Cup|2001–02]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]
| align="center" | 1
| [[2012–13 Football League Cup|2012–13]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 2
| [[1965–66 Football League Cup|1965–66]], [[1980–81 Football League Cup|1980–81]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 2
| [[1976–77 Football League Cup|1976–77]], [[1983–84 Football League Cup|1983–84]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 2
| [[1994–95 Football League Cup|1994–95]], [[2003–04 Football League Cup|2003–04]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 2
| [[1984–85 Football League Cup|1984–85]], [[2013–14 Football League Cup|2013–14]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 2
| [[1978–79 Football League Cup|1978–79]], [[2016–17 Football League Cup|2016–17]]
| align="center" | 2
|-
!scope="row" | [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
| [[1960–61 Football League Cup|1960–61]]
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
| [[1961–62 Football League Cup|1961–62]]
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
| [[1989–90 Football League Cup|1989–90]]
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
| [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|1999–2000]]
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
| [[2005–06 Football League Cup|2005–06]]
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
| [[2011–12 Football League Cup|2011–12]]
| align="center" | 1
|-
!scope="row" | [[Bradford City F.C.|Bradford City]]
| align="center" | 0
| align="center" | —
| align="center" | 1
| [[2012–13 Football League Cup|2012–13]]
| align="center" | 1
|}

==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 [[English football sponsorship|named after its sponsor]], giving it the following names:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:left"
|-
! Period
! Sponsor
! Name
! Trophy
|-
| 1960–1981
| {{N/A}}
| Football League Cup
| Original
|-
| 1981–1986
| [[Milk Marketing Board]]
| Milk Cup
|rowspan="2"| Sponsor designed
|-
| 1986–1990
| [[Littlewoods]]
| Littlewoods Challenge Cup
|-
| 1990–1992
| [[Rumbelows]]
| Rumbelows Cup
|rowspan="7"| Original
|-
| 1992–1998
| [[Coca-Cola]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Coca-Cola sign Cup deal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-cocacola-sign-cup-deal-1537521.html |work=The Independent|location=London |date=1 August 1992 |access-date=21 September 2011 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112053854/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-cocacola-sign-cup-deal-1537521.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Coca-Cola Cup
|-
| 1998–2003
| [[Worthington Brewery|Worthington's]]<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Bond |title=Worthington to end Cup sponsorship |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-352350-worthington-to-end-cup-sponsorship.do |work=Evening Standard|location=London |date=3 April 2002 |access-date=5 September 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913134241/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-352350-worthington-to-end-cup-sponsorship.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 }}</ref>
| Worthington Cup
|-
| 2003–2012
| [[Carling Brewery|Carling]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Carling Cup sponsorship extended |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7788997.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2008 |access-date=21 September 2011 |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226183205/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7788997.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Carling Cup
|-
| 2012–2016
| [[Capital One]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Capital One sponsorship agreed |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/footballleaguenews/20120601/capital-one-to-sponsor-the-league-cup_2293334_2793901 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808232047/http://www.football-league.co.uk/footballleaguenews/20120601/capital-one-to-sponsor-the-league-cup_2293334_2793901 |archive-date=8 August 2012 }}</ref>
| Capital One Cup
|-
| 2016–2017
|{{N/A}}
| EFL Cup
|-
| 2017–2027<ref>{{cite web |title=Carabao extends its title sponsorship of the Carabao Cup until 2026/27 season |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2023/october/17/carabao-extend-for-record-partnership-of-the-league-cup/ |website=EFL |date=17 October 2023 |access-date=17 October 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104145846/https://www.efl.com/news/2023/october/17/carabao-extend-for-record-partnership-of-the-league-cup/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| [[Carabao Energy Drink]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Carabao 'bring it on' and become new sponsor of EFL Cup |url=http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/carabao-bring-it-on-and-become-new-sponsor-of-efl-cup-3398442.aspx |website=efl.com |publisher=[[English Football League]] |date=4 November 2016 |access-date=4 November 2016 |archive-date=12 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112101432/http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/carabao-bring-it-on-and-become-new-sponsor-of-efl-cup-3398442.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Carabao Cup
|-
|}
{{Clear}}

==Trophy==
The winners receive the Football League Cup,<ref name=":0" /> 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&nbsp;kg and measures 27&nbsp;cm by 20.5&nbsp;cm. It is worth around £20,000.<ref name=":0" /> It was used until the [[1980–81 Football League Cup|1980–81]] competition, before coming back into use ever since the [[1990–91 Football League Cup|1990–91]] competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFZViCdsWTk/SRgxOBVMDEI/AAAAAAAAHf4/GEvMzKyE0Ds/s400/1982MilkCup.jpg|title=Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur Match Programme cover 1982 final|access-date=21 April 2009|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231251/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFZViCdsWTk/SRgxOBVMDEI/AAAAAAAAHf4/GEvMzKyE0Ds/s400/1982MilkCup.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collectsoccer.com/acatalog/MilkCupFinal1983-Liverpool-MU-26.03.83-L.jpg|title=Man United v Liverpool programme 1983}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The next sponsor, Littlewoods, also chose to award their own trophy, from [[1986–87 Football League Cup|1986–87]] until [[1989–90 Football League Cup|1989–90]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/javaImages/45/5e/0,,10372~3628613,00.jpg |title=From Luton Town Official website |access-date=21 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725151455/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/javaImages/45/5e/0,,10372~3628613,00.jpg |archive-date=25 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Later sponsors have used the original.

==Broadcasters==
{{Update section|date=March 2025}}
In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 15 matches will be broadcast live by [[Sky Sports]] through 2024<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/11558301/sky-sports-extends-efl-contract-until-2024-broadcasting-138-live-games-per-season|title=Sky Sports extends EFL contract until 2024, broadcasting 138 live games per season|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226183219/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/11558301/sky-sports-extends-efl-contract-until-2024-broadcasting-138-live-games-per-season|url-status=live}}</ref> with highlights from the several matches on [[ITV Sport]] beginning in 2022/23.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.football.london/championship/quest-tv-championship-highlights-stream-14991892|title=What is Quest TV? Everything you need to know|last1=Brown|first1=Graeme|last2=Johnson|first2=Greg|date=1 September 2018|website=footballlondon|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=14 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814131340/https://www.football.london/championship/quest-tv-championship-highlights-stream-14991892|url-status=live}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{Cite web |last=EFL |date=2024-05-30 |title=Sky Sports and ITV agree deal in principle to broadcast select Carabao Cup and EFL Championship fixtures free-to-air from 2025 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/may/30/sky-sports-and-itv-agree-deal-in-principle-to-broadcast-select-carabao-cup-and-efl-championship-fixtures-free-to-air-from-2025/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=EFL |language=en}}</ref>

From 2025/26, Sky Sports will broadcast the EFL Cup as of now in [[Sky Sports|Sky Sports+]] and [[Sky Sports Football]] as of now.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-04 |title=Carabao Cup 2025-26: Draw, fixtures, results & guide to each round {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/carabao-cup-2025-26-draw-fixtures-results/blt96928fb1dd7b51a7 |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=www.goal.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Records==
{{As of|2025}}:

* Most tournament wins (team): 10 – [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]<ref name="League Cup Records">{{cite web |title=League Cup Records |url=http://www.carlingcup.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AllTimeStats/0,,11995,00.html |publisher=[[Coors Brewing Company|Coors Brewers]] |access-date=1 February 2009 |archive-date=18 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418063646/http://www.carlingcup.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AllTimeStats/0,,11995,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Most consecutive tournament wins (team): 4 – Liverpool (1981–1984) and Manchester City (2018–2021)<ref name="League Cup Records" />
* Most final appearances (team): 15 – Liverpool<ref name="League Cup Records"/>
* Most tournament wins (individual): 6<ref name="League Cup Records"/>
** [[Sergio Agüero]] and [[Fernandinho (footballer, born May 1985)|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 F.C.|Leicester City]] (1997, 1999, 2000), Liverpool (2001, 2003) and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] (2010)
** [[Fernandinho (footballer, born May 1985)|Fernandinho]] for Manchester City (2014, 2016, 2018–2021)
* Most finals scored in: (individual): 3 – [[Didier Drogba]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The League Cup: 2000-2009 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2020/february/the-league-cup-2000-2009/ |website=EFL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129181251/https://www.efl.com/news/2020/february/the-league-cup-2000-2009/ |archive-date=29 November 2022 |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>
* Most goals scored (individual, career): 49 – [[Ian Rush]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Carling Cup final: Ian Rush wary of Liverpool pressure |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17134453 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 February 2012 |access-date=19 December 2019 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219153402/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17134453 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Most goals scored (individual, season): 12 – [[Clive Allen]], [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] (1986–87)<ref name="League Cup Records"/>
* Most goals scored (individual, match): 6 – [[Frankie Bunn]] ([[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]], vs [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]], 25 October 1989)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009 |publisher=Headline |year=2008 |page=1027 |isbn=978-0-7553-1820-9 }}</ref>
* Biggest win:
** [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] 10–0 [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], second round, second leg, 25 October 1983
** [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 10–0 [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], second round first leg, 23 September 1986<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009 |publisher=Headline |year=2008 |page=1028 |isbn=978-0-7553-1820-9 }}</ref>
* Biggest aggregate win in a semi-final: [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] 10–0 [[Burton Albion]] (9–0 home, 1–0 away), 23 January 2019<ref>{{Cite news |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |title=Burton Albion 0 Manchester City 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46839107 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 January 2019 |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123214915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46839107 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Biggest win in a final: [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] 5–0 [[Bradford City A.F.C|Bradford City]], 24 February 2013<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Bradford 0–5 Swansea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21489673 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2013 |access-date=24 February 2013 |archive-date=22 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122051138/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21489673 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Highest scoring game: 12 goals
** [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] 5–7 ([[Overtime (sports)#Association football|a.e.t.]]) [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], fourth round, 30 October 2012<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Smith |title=Reading 5–7 Arsenal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20053678 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=22 January 2014 |archive-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104115322/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20053678 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]] 6–6 (a.e.t.) [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]], first round, 12 August 2014<ref>{{cite news |title=Dagenham & Redbridge 6–6 Brentford |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28652337 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2014 |access-date=14 August 2014 |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123170344/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28652337 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Most penalties scored in a penalty shoot-out: 31
** [[Preston North End F.C|Preston North End]] 16-15 [[Fulham FC|Fulham]] (17 September 2024)
** [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 14–13 [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] (23 September 2014)<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Sheringham |title=Liverpool 2–2 Middlesbrough (14–13 on penalties) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29216833 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2014 |accessdate=2 May 2022 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502161828/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29216833 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] 14–13 [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] (23 August 2016)<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37091354 |title=Derby County 1 1 Carlisle United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2016 |access-date=24 August 2016 |archive-date=24 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824132433/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37091354 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Most penalties attempted in a penalty shoot-out: 34 – [[Preston North End F.C|Preston North End]] 16-15 [[Fulham FC|Fulham]] (17 September 2024)
* Youngest player: [[Harvey Elliott]] ({{age in years and days|2003|4|4|2018|9|25}}) – [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] vs [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] (25 September 2018)<ref>{{cite web |title=Millwall 1–3 Fulham: Harvey Elliott, 15, becomes Fulham's youngest player |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45555886 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2018 |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606095404/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45555886 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Youngest goalscorer in the final: [[Norman Whiteside]] ({{age in years and days|1965|5|7|1983|3|26}}) – [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] vs [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[1983 Football League Cup final|1983]]<ref name="Rollin 2008 p1030">{{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009 |publisher=Headline |year=2008 |page=1030 |isbn=978-0-7553-1820-9 }}</ref>
* Youngest captain in the final: [[Barry Venison]] ({{age in years and days|1964|8|16|1985|3|24}}) – [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] vs [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], [[1985 Football League Cup final|1985]]<ref name="Rollin 2008 p1030"/>
* Most replays in a tie: 3
** [[Tranmere Rovers]] v. [[Chester City F.C.|Chester]] ([[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69]], first round): 0–0, 2–2 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 2–1
** [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] v. [[Brighton & Hove Albion]] ([[1974–75 Football League Cup|1974–75]], first round): 0–0, 2–2 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 0–0 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 3–2
** [[Hartlepool F.C.|Hartlepool]] v. [[AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth]] (1974–75, second round): 1–1, 2–2 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–0
** [[Birmingham City]] v. [[Notts County]] ([[1983–84 Football League Cup|1983–84]], third round): 2–2, 0–0 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 0–0 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 3–1
** [[Swindon Town]] v. [[Bolton Wanderers]] ([[1989–90 Football League Cup|1989–90]], third round): 3–3, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 2–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html |title=England League Cup Full Results 1960–1996 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |access-date=23 December 2022 |archive-date=27 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227232525/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
*Lowest league tier of a League Cup winner: [[EFL League One|tier 3]] 
**[[Queens Park Rangers]] ([[1966–67 Football League Cup|1966–67]]; [[1966–67 Football League Third Division|Football League Third Division]] – overall rank 45th)
**[[Swindon Town]] ([[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69]]; [[1968–69 Football League Third Division|Football League Third Division]] – overall rank 46th)
*Lowest league tier of a League Cup runner-up: [[EFL League Two|tier 4]] 
**[[Rochdale F.C.]] ([[1961–62 Football League Cup|1961–62]]; [[1961–62 Football League Fourth Division|Football League Fourth Division]] – overall rank 80th)
**[[Bradford City]] ([[2012–13 Football League Cup|2012–13]]; [[2012–13 Football League Two|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==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html England League Cup Full Results 1960–1996] and [https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphist.html List of finals (1961–present)] at Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF)

{{EFL Cup}}
{{Men's football in England}}
{{Football in the United Kingdom}}
{{National football league cups}}

[[Category:EFL Cup| ]]
[[Category:English Football League competitions|Cup]]
[[Category:Men's football cup competitions in England|2]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1960]]
[[Category:National association football league cups]]