Does Carabao Cup final have extra time? Rules for a 90-minute draw

After the semi-finals, many fans have asked whether the Carabao Cup final have extra time. Soccerway UK will clarify the rules in this article.

Does the Carabao Cup final have extra time?

First, it is important to confirm that the Carabao Cup final does include extra time if the two teams are level after 90 minutes of regular play. If the score is still tied after 30 minutes of extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout.

It is also worth noting that extra time is a feature reserved specifically for the final. Under tournament rules, matches in rounds one, two, three, four, and five do not use extra time. If those matches end in a draw after 90 minutes, the winner is decided directly by penalties.

Which finals have gone into extra time?

In recent years, several Carabao Cup finals have gone into extra time. In 2024, Liverpool defeated Chelsea after extra time, with Virgil van Dijk scoring a decisive header in the 118th minute to secure the club’s 10th Carabao Cup title. This was also Jürgen Klopp’s final trophy with Liverpool before leaving at the end of the season.

In 2022, Liverpool again faced Chelsea in the final, with the match going to extra time before being decided by a penalty shootout. Three years earlier, in the 2019 final, Chelsea lost on penalties to Manchester City after the teams remained level following 120 minutes.

Who won last year’s Carabao Cup final?

The 2024/25 Carabao Cup final was played between Liverpool and Newcastle on March 16, 2025. Liverpool entered the match as defending champions aiming for their 11th title, while Newcastle were seeking to end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.

After a goalless opening period, Dan Burn gave Newcastle the lead late in the first half with a header from a Kieran Trippier corner. In the second half, Alexander Isak doubled the advantage with a half-volley. Liverpool pushed forward in search of a comeback but struggled to break down Newcastle’s defence. Federico Chiesa scored a late goal to reduce the deficit, but it was not enough. Newcastle won the final to end a 70-year domestic title drought.

Why is there extra time in the Carabao Cup final?

Previously, extra time was used in all rounds of the competition. However, from the 2018/19 season, clubs voted to remove extra time from earlier rounds to reduce player fatigue, particularly in midweek matches.

The EFL explained the decision in an official statement, noting that removing the additional 30 minutes would help limit fatigue caused by matches extending beyond the standard 90 minutes.

Did the Carabao Cup ever allow replays?

In its early years, the Carabao Cup, originally known as the EFL Cup, did allow replays. This rule was last applied in 1997, when Leicester City and Middlesbrough drew 1-1 after extra time and had to replay the final. The competition no longer uses replays, and finals are now decided through extra time and penalties if required.

In the 1960s, when the tournament was first established, the final was played over two legs, however this format was abolished in 1967.

When and where will the 2026 Carabao Cup final take place?

The 2026 Carabao Cup final will be held on March 22 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Arsenal and Manchester City reached the final after winning their respective semi-finals. Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate over two legs, while Manchester City overcame Newcastle United with a 5-2 aggregate score.

This will be the second meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City in a Carabao Cup final, following Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Arsenal in the 2018 final, which secured the club’s fifth title.

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