What the competition is
The EFL describes a seven-round knockout tournament, with semi-finals played over two legs and the final at Wembley. That is a different structure from the FA Cup and from the Premier League season. A semi-final’s first match is therefore only one part of its tie. The cup’s sponsored name does not create a second event: EFL Cup and Carabao Cup refer to the same competition in this context.
Following the competition
A fixture reminder should include the round and, for a semi-final, the leg. Keep the aggregate score beside the current score when following a return match. The EFL’s key-dates page is a useful starting point, but the club’s confirmed fixture remains necessary for the exact date and start time.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Names | EFL Cup and Carabao Cup identify the same cup. |
| Rounds | A knockout programme rather than a points table. |
| Semi-finals | Two legs need an aggregate-score view. |
| Final | A standalone title fixture at Wembley. |
Questions about this guide
Is the Carabao Cup the FA Cup?
No. They are separate English cup competitions.
Why are there two semi-final fixtures?
The EFL Cup semi-finals use two-leg ties.