The full details of the date and time of the 2026 Carabao Cup final have been released, and they have left many football fans confused. Following the conclusion of the semi-final first legs, Manchester City take a 2-0 lead over Newcastle United back to the Etihad Stadium at the start of February, while Arsenal will fancy their chances after beating Chelsea 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.
That could set up a Wembley Stadium finale featuring Pep Guardiola against his former apprentice, Mikel Arteta, meeting in a final for the first time after years of tit-for-tat Premier League title races dominated by the Cityzens. As January reaches its latter stages, viewers would normally expect to wait just another month before the first trophy of the English football season is contested.
This year, however, things are different. For the second successive season, the Carabao Cup final will be staged in March, following last year’s edition in which Newcastle United ended a 56-year trophy drought by defeating 10-time record winners Liverpool.
2026 Carabao Cup Final Date & Time Confirmed Amid Fan Backlash
The Carabao Cup trophy
The final is set to take place on Sunday, March 22, with the kick-off time moved back from its usual 3pm slot to 4:30pm instead. The match will be shown live on ITV and Sky Sports, and it clashes with Premier League Gameweek 31, meaning the finalists will have some fixtures rescheduled. See the confirmed details below:
Thursday morning’s announcement drew the ire of football fans for a couple of reasons, the first — and most frequently mentioned — being the fact that the final is being played in March. The reason the League Cup final has been pushed back from its traditional February date lies in an ever-congested football calendar.
Under the new Champions League ‘League Phase’ format, teams now play eight matches instead of the previous six. Domestic schedules across Europe mean all eight cannot be completed before Christmas, with two now taking place in January. However, the change has not gone down well with fans, particularly those of a certain vintage, with one X user remarking:
"Carabao Cup final in late March - utter woke nonsense. Should always be mid-February."
newcastle league cup
Another added: "It’s usually in late February, no? The game's gone," while a third questioned it: "Why is the final moved from February to March? Arsenal are playing Wolves on March 21. City are playing Palace on March 21. Chelsea are playing Everton on March 21. Newcastle are playing Sunderland on March 21. This is without Champions League quarter-final."
Kick-Off Time Reignites Carabao Cup Final Location Debate
Wembley Stadium
With kick-off now an hour later than usual, supporters of the eventual semi-final winner between Newcastle and Manchester City may struggle to catch the final forms of transport back from London after the match, particularly if the final goes to extra time and penalties.
With Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United the three most successful clubs in League Cup history, this year’s final has once again shone a spotlight on the long-running debate over Wembley Stadium hosting the showpiece event, given how difficult and expensive it can be for supporters travelling from the north to arrange transport and accommodation.
"Zero thought given for any fans travelling from distance, especially City/Newcastle," one X user highlighted. "Supporters are an afterthought yet again," a second continued: "Insanity. Another London-centric nonsense decision. Half 4 on a Sunday..." as a third wrote: "They really have no interest in fans."
Elsewhere, a fourth concluded: "Once again the Northern team and travel problems with a final that finishes at close to 7pm at the earliest not taken into account. Shameful this still happens after years of fans complaining and making this point."