The Carabao Cup, England's thrilling knockout competition, is heating up as we approach the third round. With the second round matches wrapping up this week, all eyes are on tonight's draw, which will determine the fixtures for the next stage.
The draw is scheduled to take place live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of the second-round clash between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park, expected around 10:15 PM UK time. This marks the entry point for the remaining Premier League heavyweights, including those participating in European competitions, adding extra intrigue to the proceedings.
Key Details on the Draw and Format
Unlike the earlier rounds, the third round is no longer regionalized, meaning any team can be drawn against any other—though with a twist. To accommodate the expanded UEFA Champions League and Europa League schedules, clubs involved in European football (such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham Hotspur) will be kept apart in the draw. This ensures no clashes with midweek European fixtures.
Additionally, the third round ties will be split across two weeks: the weeks commencing September 15 and September 22, 2025. Teams in the Champions League or Europa League will likely play their cup matches in the later week to avoid scheduling conflicts with Matchday 1 of those competitions (September 16-18).
The draw itself will be unseeded beyond the European separation, promising some mouth-watering matchups. Lower-league sides like Barnsley, Bradford City, and Wrexham have already secured their spots, setting the stage for potential giant-killings.
Ball Numbers for Tonight's Draw
The EFL has confirmed the ball numbers for the 32 teams (or potential winners) entering the third round. Here's the full list, including placeholders for the outcomes of remaining second-round ties:
| Ball Number | Team(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal |
| 2 | Aston Villa |
| 3 | Barnsley |
| 4 | Bradford City |
| 5 | Brentford |
| 6 | Burnley |
| 7 | Cambridge United |
| 8 | Cardiff City |
| 9 | Chelsea |
| 10 | Crystal Palace |
| 11 | Doncaster Rovers |
| 12 | Huddersfield Town |
| 13 | Lincoln City |
| 14 | Liverpool |
| 15 | Manchester City |
| 16 | Millwall |
| 17 | Newcastle United |
| 18 | Nottingham Forest |
| 19 | Port Vale |
| 20 | Reading |
| 21 | Sheffield Wednesday |
| 22 | Southampton |
| 23 | Swansea City |
| 24 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 25 | Wigan Athletic |
| 26 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 27 | Wrexham |
| 28 | Wycombe Wanderers |
| 29 | Everton or Mansfield Town |
| 30 | Fulham or Bristol City |
| 31 | Grimsby Town or Manchester United |
| 32 | Oxford United or Brighton & Hove Albion |
These numbers reflect the mix of established Premier League sides and plucky underdogs who have progressed from earlier rounds. For instance, ball 31 could see either League Two's Grimsby Town or powerhouse Manchester United advancing, depending on tonight's result.
What to Expect from the Third Round
The Carabao Cup has already delivered drama this season, with upsets and high-scoring affairs in the opening rounds. Third-round fixtures promise more of the same, as top-flight teams join the fray. Last season's competition saw memorable runs from lower-division clubs, and with the likes of Wrexham (ball 27) and Bradford City (ball 4) in the hat, fans can dream of fairy-tale stories.
Ties will be played over 90 minutes, with extra time and penalties if needed—no replays. The winners advance to the fourth round, drawn shortly after, keeping the momentum going toward the final at Wembley in February 2026.
How to Watch
Tune into Sky Sports for live coverage of the draw, starting after the Grimsby vs. Manchester United game (kick-off 8:00 PM UK time). Highlights and reactions will follow across major sports outlets.
As the balls are drawn tonight, the path to Wembley becomes clearer. Who will get a dream home tie? Who might face a daunting away day? Stay tuned for all the action in what promises to be another captivating chapter of the Carabao Cup.
