History of EFL Cup in Timeline

The English Football League Cup, also known as the Carabao Cup due to sponsorship, is an annual knockout tournament in English men's football. It is open to all 92 clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League. The competition typically starts in August, with the final traditionally held at Wembley Stadium in February or March. Winning the League Cup guarantees qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League, unless the winner has already qualified for a higher-tier European competition, in which case the spot is passed down to the next highest-placed Premier League team not already qualified.

May 1960: Criticism of League Cup Introduction

On May 30, 1960, The Times published an article criticizing the League Cup's introduction, arguing it would spread mediocrity and distract from the development of a European League.

1960: Aston Villa Win First League Cup

In 1960, Aston Villa won the first League Cup.

1960: First EFL Cup

In 1960, the Football League Cup was first held as the Football League Cup. It was introduced as a response to the increasing popularity of European football and to utilize floodlights for midweek evening games.

1960: Introduction of the League Cup

In 1960, the League Cup was introduced specifically as a mid-week floodlit tournament to replace the Southern Professional Floodlit Cup, capitalizing on the installation of floodlights at most senior English clubs.

1961: Final was two-legged

From 1961, the final was two-legged until 1966, but has been single-legged ever since.

1961: League Cup structure

In 1961, the League Cup structure was such that all teams were involved from the second round, with some receiving byes to that stage.

1961: Bradford City Eliminates Premier League Sides

In the 2012 competition, League Two side Bradford City eliminated three Premier League sides from the competition, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so since 1961, when Rochdale achieved the same.

1966: EFL Cup Winner Gains European Berth

From 1966, the winners of the EFL Cup received a place in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

1966: Queen's Park Rangers Win League Cup

In 1966, Division Three side Queens Park Rangers won against top-flight West Bromwich Albion in the first League Cup Final to be hosted at Wembley Stadium.

1966: League Cup Winner Offered European Qualification

In 1966, UEFA provided the League Cup winner with a place in the European competitions, provided the team was in the first division, as a result of the negotiating tactics of the Football League with UEFA.

1966: Final was two-legged

Until 1966, the final was two-legged since 1961, but has been single-legged ever since.

March 1967: First League Cup Final at Wembley

On March 4, 1967, the first League Cup final was held at Wembley, with Third Division Queens Park Rangers winning against First Division West Bromwich Albion.

1967: Final played as a single match

Since 1967, the final has been played as a single match at Wembley Stadium, after the first six seasons of the Football League Cup were played over two legs.

1968: Queen's Park Rangers Fail to Participate in Europe

In 1968, Queen's Park Rangers did not participate in Europe, as they were not in the First Division, despite winning the competition.

1968: Death of Richards

In 1968, Richards, who foresaw the League Cup final being held at Wembley, died.

1968: Swindon Town Beat Arsenal in League Cup Final

In 1968, Third Division side Swindon Town beat Arsenal 3-1 after extra time in the final to win the League Cup trophy.

1968: Improved Standing of the League Cup

In 1968, following the offer of a position in Europe and a final at Wembley Stadium, the League Cup's standing improved, with only Manchester United declining to participate.

1970: Everton Decline League Cup Participation

In 1970, Everton chose not to compete in the League Cup to concentrate on the European Cup.

1971: EFL Cup Winner Gains European Berth

Until 1971, the winners of the EFL Cup received a place in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

1972: EFL Cup Winner Gains European Berth

From 1972, the winners of the EFL Cup received a place in the UEFA Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup).

1973: EFL Cup Winner Gains European Berth

In 1973, the winners of the EFL Cup started receiving a place in the UEFA Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup).

1974: Chester's Run to Semi-Finals

In 1974, Fourth Division side Chester beat defending league champions Leeds United 3-0 on their surprise run to the League Cup semi-finals.

1974: Two-legged ties

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.

1975: Replays and penalty shoot-outs

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.

1975: First round was two-legged

From 1975–76, the first round was two-legged to 2000–01.

1977: Final went to two replays

The only final to require two replays was the 1977 final between Aston Villa and Everton.

1979: Replays and penalty shoot-outs

Between 1979–80 and 1975–76, ties would still be replayed, but a penalty shoot-out would be used to settle ties that could not be decided after a replay.

1979: Second round was two-legged

From 1979–80, the second round was two-legged to 2000–01.

1980: Away goals rule and penalties adopted

Replays of two-legged matches were abolished for 1980–81, with the away goals rule and penalties being adopted instead.

1980: Original trophy out of use

The Football League Cup trophy, designed and manufactured by Mappin & Webb, was used until the 1980–81 competition, before coming back into use ever since the 1990–91 competition.

1981: Title sponsorship

From 1981 to the present (except in 2016–17), the League Cup has attracted title sponsorship, which meant it was named after its sponsor.

1981: The Milk Marketing Board trophy

In 1981–82, the Milk Marketing Board introduced its own trophy from 1981–82 to 1985–86, instead of using the original.

1983: Liverpool Wins League Cup as Part of Treble

In 1983, Liverpool won the League Cup as part of a treble of trophy wins.

1985: Norwich City Misses European Competition Due to Heysel Disaster

In 1985, Norwich City, as League Cup winners, missed out on European competition due to the ban on English clubs following the Heysel disaster.

1985: The Milk Marketing Board trophy

In 1985–86, the Milk Marketing Board introduced its own trophy from 1981–82 to 1985–86, instead of using the original.

1986: Littlewoods trophy

In 1986–87, Littlewoods awarded their own trophy from 1986–87 until 1989–90, instead of using the original.

1986: Semi-final replays abolished

Until 1986–87, level semi-final ties were replayed, after which the away goals rule and penalties were introduced.

October 1989: Scarborough Defeats Chelsea

In October 1989, Former League club Scarborough defeated Chelsea 4–3 on aggregate.

1989: Littlewoods trophy

In 1989–90, Littlewoods awarded their own trophy from 1986–87 until 1989–90, instead of using the original.

1990: League Cup Winners Still Excluded from European Competition

Even when the ban was lifted in 1990, League Cup winners did not participate in European competitions for two more years.

1990: Original trophy comes back into use

The Football League Cup trophy, designed and manufactured by Mappin & Webb, was used until the 1980–81 competition, before coming back into use ever since the 1990–91 competition.

1992: Scarborough Defeats Coventry City

In 1992, Scarborough defeated Coventry City 3-2 on aggregate.

1993: Penalties introduced

Until 1993–94, single-legged matches would be replayed as necessary, but penalties were introduced to settle the first replay.

1995: York City Defeats Manchester United

In 1995, Manchester United were beaten 3–0 at home by York City in the second round, first leg.

1995: League Cup structure

Up to 1995–96, all teams were involved from the second round, although some received byes to that stage.

1996: Last single-legged tie requiring a replay

In 1996–97, the last single-legged tie to require a replay was played.

1996: League Cup structure

Since 1996–97, teams involved in European competition receive a bye to the third round; the remaining Premier League teams enter at the second round.

1997: Finals replay

Between 1967 and 1997, finals that finished level after extra time were replayed at an alternative venue until a winner was decided.

1997: Grimsby Defeats Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City

In 1997, while in the third tier, Grimsby Town defeated Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday 4–3 on aggregate and Premier League side Leicester City 3–1.

1998: Penalty shoot-outs

Since 1998, finals that have finished level after extra time have been decided by penalty shoot-out.

1999: Final date change

Until 1999–2000, the final was played in late March or early April.

2000: Liverpool Wins League Cup as Part of Treble

In 2000, Liverpool won the League Cup as part of a treble of trophy wins.

2000: Final date change

Thereafter 2000, the final has been played in late February or early March.

2000: First and second round matches

Until 2000–01, the first round was two-legged from 1975-76, and the second round was two-legged from 1979–80.

2001: Millennium Stadium used

Between 2001 and 2007, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was used for the final, following the demolition of the old Wembley.

2001: Manchester City Dominance

From 2001, Premier League giants Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea won 19 editions of the tournament until 2024.

2001: Grimsby Defeats Liverpool at Anfield

In 2001, Grimsby Town beat current holders Liverpool at Anfield with a 2–1 win in extra time.

2002: Preliminary rounds

In 2002-03, a preliminary round was necessary 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.

2006: Manchester United Knocked Out by Southend United

In 2006, Manchester United were knocked out by Southend United.

2007: Manchester United Knocked Out by Coventry City

In 2007, Manchester United were knocked out by Coventry City.

2007: Millennium Stadium used

In 2007, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff stopped being used for the final, after being used between 2001.

2010: Ferguson Values League Cup

In 2010, Alex Ferguson stated the League Cup was worth winning, contrasting with Arsène Wenger's claim that a League Cup win wouldn't end his trophy drought.

2010: Liverpool Humbled by Northampton Town

In 2010, Liverpool were humbled by Northampton Town, one of the lowest placed teams in League Two.

2011: Carling Opts Out of League Cup Sponsorship Renewal

In 2011, Carling chose not to renew its sponsorship of the League Cup, citing the lack of prestige the cup attracted from fans and larger clubs as one of the reasons for ending the sponsorship.

2011: Preliminary rounds

In 2011-12, a preliminary round was necessary 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.

2012: Bradford City Eliminates Premier League Sides

In the 2012 competition, League Two side Bradford City eliminated three Premier League sides from the competition, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so since 1961.

February 2013: Swansea City Wins League Cup

On February 24, 2013, Swansea City became the first team from outside England to win the League Cup, beating Bradford City 5-0.

2014: Manchester United Loses to MK Dons

In the 2014 season, Manchester United lost 4-0 against third-tier side MK Dons in the second round.

2016: Title sponsorship

From 1981 to the present (except in 2016–17), the League Cup has attracted title sponsorship, which meant it was named after its sponsor.

2016: Rebranding of the Football League to English Football League

In 2016, the Football League was rebranded as the English Football League, and the tournament was renamed the EFL Cup from the 2016–17 season onwards.

2016: Competition Renamed to EFL Cup

In 2016, the competition was renamed the EFL Cup as part of the Football League's rebranding to become the English Football League.

2018: Extra time scrapped

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.

2019: EFL Cup Winner Gains European Berth

Until the 2019-20 season, the winners of the EFL Cup received a place in the UEFA Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup).

2020: France Suspends Coupe de la Ligue

In 2020, the Coupe de la Ligue in France was suspended indefinitely, leaving England as the only UEFA member to offer a European berth to the winners of their second cup competition.

2020: EFL Cup Winner Gains European Berth

Since the 2020-21 season, the winners of the EFL Cup qualify for the UEFA Conference League.

2022: Highlights on ITV Sport

Highlights from the several matches on ITV Sport beginning in 2022/23. In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 15 matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports through 2024. This competition is included in the EFL broadcast package.

2024: Broadcast live by Sky Sports and ITV

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).

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2024: VAR system used

Since 2024–25, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is used in all EFL Cup ties held at Premier League stadiums.

2024: Manchester City Dominance

Until 2024, Premier League giants Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea won 19 editions of the tournament since 2001.

2025: As of 2025

As of 2025:

2025: Broadcast live by Sky Sports

From 2025/26, Sky Sports will broadcast the EFL Cup as of now in Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Football as of now.

2025: Newcastle United win the EFL Cup

In 2025, Newcastle United defeated Liverpool in the final to claim their first EFL Cup title.

2025: Preliminary rounds

In 2025-26, a preliminary round was necessary 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.