Where is the Carabao Cup Final played? Date and time of the Arsenal vs. Man City clash

The Carabao Cup, originally known as the EFL Cup or League Cup, is a domestic competition for clubs within the English Football League system, including the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two. It is the earliest major domestic competition to conclude each season, followed by the FA Cup and then the league campaigns.

The 2025/26 Carabao Cup final will be contested by Manchester City and Arsenal, marking a rematch of the 2018 final. This article from soccerwayuk.com answers about where is the Carabao Cup Final played and provides key background information ahead of the game.

Where is the Carabao Cup final played?

The 2025/26 Carabao Cup final will take place at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Wembley is the largest football stadium in the country, with a capacity of 90,000 seats, making it the sixth largest stadium in the world and the second largest in Europe. Owned by the English Football Association, it regularly hosts major domestic finals and is also the home ground of the England national team.

The Carabao Cup final has been held at Wembley since 1967, with a temporary relocation to the Millennium Stadium between 2002 and 2007 due to redevelopment works. In normal circumstances, the final attracts crowds of between 85,000 and 88,000 spectators. The only major exception was in 2021, when attendance was limited to around 7,000 due to COVID-19 restrictions during the final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

When will the 2026 Carabao Cup final take place?

According to the current schedule, the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final will be played on March 22, with a projected kick-off time of 4:30 pm local time. This is later than in most recent seasons, as the finals from 2022 to 2024 were held in late February, while the 2025 final took place in mid-March.

The final will coincide with Week 31 of the Premier League season, meaning both finalists will need fixture adjustments. Arsenal are not scheduled to play a league match that weekend, while Manchester City’s home game against Crystal Palace on March 21 has been postponed and is expected to be rescheduled for an earlier date.

How are the two teams in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final performing?

Arsenal and Manchester City are widely regarded as the two strongest teams in England at present. They are competing closely at the top of the Premier League table, with Arsenal currently holding a six-point advantage. The London side are aiming to secure the league title after finishing second for three consecutive seasons.

Arsenal have shown consistency throughout the season, with goals coming from multiple positions. Their squad has largely recovered from the injury issues suffered in late December and early January, and they are expected to field a near full-strength lineup in the final.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are continuing to rebuild momentum after a slower start to the season. Several new signings from recent transfer windows are beginning to settle well. Erling Haaland is gradually returning to his best form, while Cherki and Reijnders are becoming increasingly influential. Winter additions Semenyo and Guehi have also adapted quickly to Pep Guardiola’s system.

History of the Manchester City vs Arsenal Carabao Cup rivalry

This will be only the second Carabao Cup final meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City. Their previous encounter came in the 2017/18 final, when City secured a convincing 3-0 victory. That win marked Pep Guardiola’s first Carabao Cup title with the club and laid the foundation for a dominant period in domestic competitions. For Arsenal, the defeat extended their long wait for a Carabao Cup triumph, with their last title dating back to 1993.

How many times have the two teams won the Carabao Cup?

Arsenal have won the Carabao Cup twice, in the 1987/88 and 1992/93 seasons. Manchester City, by contrast, have lifted the trophy eight times, in 1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Despite this success, City are not the most successful club in the competition’s history, as Liverpool hold the record with 10 titles.

Who was the most recent Carabao Cup winner?

The most recent Carabao Cup final, in 2025, saw Newcastle United face Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. Newcastle claimed a surprise 2-1 victory, with goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak, while Liverpool’s only goal was scored by Federico Chiesa. The win ended Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy, while Liverpool missed the opportunity to secure a record-extending 11th Carabao Cup title.

In summary, Soccerway UK has reviewed the key details and historical context surrounding the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final and answered the question about where is the Carabao Cup Final played. 

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