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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Sam Tabuteau

Why is the Carabao Cup starting this week? New fixture schedule explained

Carabao Cup EFL League Two Bristol City EPL League One Walsall

The 2026/27 Carabao Cup first round officially got under way on Thursday night as League Two club Walsall upset Championship side Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate.

If that felt like an early start to the domestic season, then you would be right, because this year the decision was made to begin the Carabao Cup one week before the new EFL campaign commences.

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