The Carabao Cup trophy on display before the 2026 final
Chelsea and Fulham's Premier League clash has forced six EFL fixtures to change their dates.
The two top-flight clubs face each other on Monday, August 24, which forces both of their Carabao Cup second-round ties to be played on Thursday.
Craven Cottage3
Fulham's opening Premier League game will be televised on Monday night
Following the second round draw on Monday night, it was revealed that Chelsea will play Luton at Stamford Bridge, while Fulham will go head-to-head against AFC Wimbledon at Craven Cottage.
Despite the fixture dates for the cup games being locked in two weeks ago, the Premier League fixture schedule has taken precedence and forced six League One matches to be changed.
With mid-week games in the lower league scheduled for the following week, it has left little room for fixture organisers.
The date adjustments are required to prevent any team from playing two matches within a 48-hour window.
Organisers also have to ensure that the subsequent midweek fixture in the third tier is shifted to Wednesday.
To complicate matters further, Fulham and Chelsea are not typically permitted to host matches on the same day due to their stadiums being in close proximity and the need to avoid overstretching local public services.
However, both Chelsea vs Luton and Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon will kick-off on Thursday, August 27, with only 30 minutes separating their start times.
This scheduling conflict has affected four League One clashes that were originally meant to be played on Tuesday, September 1, which have now been moved to Wednesday, September 2.
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These fixtures include: Burton vs Wimbledon, Wigan vs MK Dons, Luton vs Stockport, Reading vs Mansfield.
Additionally, Wimbledon and Luton fixtures against Wigan and Mansfield that were meant to be played on Saturday, August 29 have been moved to Sunday, August 30.
AFC Wimbledon team3
Wimbledon have had to change three of their games, not even a month into the season
Luton Town released a statement confirming the disruptions: "Our Carabao Cup second round tie at Chelsea will take place on Thursday 27th August with a 7:30pm kick-off.
"The date of this fixture, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ in line with all other Carabao Cup ties, will have a knock-on effect on the dates of our two League One matches that follow.
"The trip to face Mansfield Town, originally scheduled for Saturday 29th, will now take place on Sunday 30th August (3pm kick-off).
"This means that the subsequent home game, against Stockport County, originally in the diary for Tuesday 1st September, will now be played on Wednesday 2nd (kick-off 7.45pm).
"We wish to apologise to our supporters for the short notice in the rescheduling for these league fixtures which are a result of Premier League broadcasting scheduling the previous weekend, with Chelsea's opening league game against Fulham taking place on Monday 24th August."
Every other Carabao Cup second-round tie is expected to be played across August 25 and 26.
John Stones of Manchester City celebrates with the trophy after the Carabao Cup Final match Arsenal and between Manchester City.3
Teams who are competing in European competitions do not have to play in the Carabao Cup second round