The short answer: the Carabao Cup streams on Paramount+ in the USA — CBS Sports holds exclusive rights through the 2027/28 season and carries at least 30 matches a season, with the biggest ties and the final on CBS Sports Network and select games free on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. Paramount+ starts at $8.99/month.
Round 1 kicks off in mid-August 2026, right as the new season starts. Here's the full picture.
Where to watch the Carabao Cup in the USA
| Where | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ | 30+ matches a season, every selected tie live | From $8.99/mo |
| CBS Sports Network | Marquee ties and the final on TV | TV subscription |
| CBS Sports Golazo Network | Select matches free (CBS Sports app, Pluto TV) | Free |
The Carabao Cup (officially the EFL Cup) is part of CBS's exclusive EFL deal — the same package that covers the EFL Championship — running through 2027/28.
How the rounds work (2026/27)
- August 2026 — Rounds 1–2: EFL clubs enter; Premier League clubs without European football join in Round 2
- September 2026 — Round 3: the remaining Premier League clubs enter
- October–December 2026 — Rounds 4–5 and quarter-finals, all midweek
- January 2027 — Two-legged semi-finals
- March 2027 — The final at Wembley, live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network
Midweek kickoffs land in the US afternoon/early evening (usually 2:30–3:45pm ET) — very watchable without staying up late.
Why the Carabao Cup is a great Paramount+ bonus
If you already have Paramount+ for the Champions League or Serie A, the Carabao Cup costs you nothing extra — Premier League clubs' cup ties are one of the few places to watch them outside Peacock. It's the cheapest legal way to watch Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City live in the US: one $8.99 subscription, guaranteed big-club midweek football from September.
Can you watch the Carabao Cup for free?
Yes — the CBS Sports Golazo Network streams select matches free on the CBS Sports app, CBSSports.com and Pluto TV, no subscription needed. Paramount+ also typically offers a 7-day trial, which comfortably covers a full midweek round.
FAQ
Is the Carabao Cup on Paramount+? Yes — at least 30 matches a season stream live, under CBS's exclusive EFL rights through 2027/28.
What channel is the Carabao Cup final on in the USA? The final airs on CBS Sports Network and streams on Paramount+, in March at Wembley.
Is the Carabao Cup the same as the EFL Cup / League Cup? Yes — one competition, three names. "Carabao" is the sponsor; it's England's second cup alongside the FA Cup.
Are all Carabao Cup games televised in the US? No — CBS selects 30+ per season, prioritizing Premier League clubs from Round 2 onward. Early all-EFL ties are covered selectively.
More US soccer guides
England's clubs play their league football elsewhere — see how to watch the Premier League in the USA, the FA Cup guide, and the full where to watch soccer in the USA map.
Follow every round with RenderFoot's free tools: tournament bracket generator · Premier League fixtures · lineup builder.
Sources: SportsPro — CBS Sports exclusive EFL rights in the US until 2028; Sportcal — CBS Sports multi-platform EFL rights through 2027-28; Paramount+ — Carabao Cup. Rights and prices change — confirm on Paramount+'s official page before subscribing.
