EFL Cup

Although the League Cup is one of the four domestic trophies attainable by English league teams, it is regarded as of lower prestige than the league title or the FA Cup.{{cite web |last1=DeBruler |first1=Paul |title=Let's Remove the Premier League from the League Cup |url=http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2015/10/28/9626748/lets-remove-the-premier-league-from-the-league-cup |website=SB Nation |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=17 July 2016 |archive-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816152621/http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2015/10/28/9626748/lets-remove-the-premier-league-from-the-league-cup |url-status=live }} League Cup winners receive £100,000 prize money (awarded by the Football League) with the runners-up receiving £50,000, considered relatively insignificant to top-flight teams, compared to the £2 million prize money of the FA Cup, which is in turn eclipsed by the Premier League's television money (awarded on final league position) and consequent participation in the Champions League.{{cite news |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/Faqs/0,,12306,00.html |title=Frequently asked questions about the F.A. Premier League, (How are television revenues distributed to Premier League clubs?) |publisher=Premier League |access-date=11 December 2007 |archive-date=26 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126062218/http://www.premierleague.com/page/Faqs/0,,12306,00.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-nets-16314bn-tv-rights-bonanza-1925462.html |title=Premier League nets £1.4bn TV rights bonanza |last=Harris |first=Nick |date=23 March 2010 |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=12 September 2010 |archive-date=26 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326095130/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-nets-16314bn-tv-rights-bonanza-1925462.html |url-status=live }}

Some clubs have repeatedly fielded a weaker side in the competition, making the opportunity for giant-killing of the larger clubs more likely. Many teams in the Premier League, Arsenal and Manchester United in particular, have used the competition to give young players valuable big-game experience.{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/2/28/sports/3371444&sec=sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301004437/http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F2%2F28%2Fsports%2F3371444&sec=sports |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 March 2009 |title=MU boss vows to field young guns in the League Cup final |date=28 February 2009 |work=The Star |access-date=27 February 2011}} Unless they reach the later stages, at which they field their strongest possible team.

When Carling opted out of renewing their sponsorship of the League Cup in 2011, one of the reasons for ending sponsorship cited by the company was the lack of prestige the cup attracted, both from fans and from larger clubs.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/sep/27/carling-cup-sponsorship-league-molson |title=Carling opt out of League Cup sponsorship after 14 seasons |work=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=20 March 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429230228/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/sep/27/carling-cup-sponsorship-league-molson |archive-date=29 April 2021}}

However, in 2010, in response to Arsène Wenger's claim that a League Cup win would not end his trophy drought, Alex Ferguson described the trophy as worth winning. After a period of decline when the competition's future was regularly questioned, recent years have seen a revival in respect for the trophy, as the larger Premier League clubs have come to dominate the competition again, and the development nature of the competition has begun to be viewed as a positive for the clubs involved. Premier League giants Manchester City (6), Manchester United (5), Liverpool (5) and Chelsea (3) between them won 19 editions of the tournament between 2001 and 2024.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/carling-cup-worth-winning-says-2764546 |title=Carling Cup worth winning says Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson |date=26 February 2010 |work=Daily Post |access-date=27 February 2010 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208154437/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/carling-cup-worth-winning-says-2764546 |url-status=live }}

File:League Cup at Old Trafford.jpg

The original idea for a League Cup came from Stanley Rous, who saw the competition as a consolation for clubs who had already been knocked out of the FA Cup. However, it was not Rous who came to implement it, but Football League Secretary Alan Hardaker. Hardaker initially proposed the competition as a way for the clubs to make up for lost revenue due to a reduction in matches played, for when the league was to be reorganised. The reorganisation of the league was not immediately forthcoming; however, the cup competition was introduced regardless.

File:MilkCup.png

The trophy was paid for personally by Football League President Joe Richards, who was proud of the competition, and he had his own name engraved on it. Richards described the competition's formation as an "interim step" on the way to the league's re-organisation.{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=215}} Richards' priority was the reorganisation of the leagues, "perhaps by cutting down the number of clubs in each division, as has already been suggested, and even given more consideration to the system of four up and four down".

Hardaker felt that the Football League needed to adapt to the times, as the English game was losing prestige. He felt that the Football League should take the lead in revitalising football in the nation: "It must be obvious to all of you that the time has come to do something, and it is up to the Football League to give the lead. I hope the Press will not immediately assume that the League is going to fall out with the F.A. or anybody else... the time has come for our voice to be heard in every problem which affects the professional game."

The League Cup competition was established at a time when match-day attendances were dwindling. The league had lost a million spectators compared to the previous season. It was established at a time when tensions between the Football League and The Football Association were high. The biggest disagreement was about how revenue was shared between the clubs.

During the late 1950s, the majority of senior English clubs equipped their grounds with floodlights. This opened up the opportunity to exploit weekday evenings throughout the winter. The League Cup was introduced in the 1960–61 season specifically as a mid-week floodlit tournament to replace the Southern Professional Floodlit Cup.{{cite web |title=The Southern Professional Floodlit Cup 1955–1960 |url=http://footysphere.com/post/193658201/the-southern-professional-floodlit-cup |publisher=Footysphere |access-date=11 November 2012 |date=22 September 2009 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181050/http://footysphere.com/post/193658201/the-southern-professional-floodlit-cup |url-status=live }}

File:LeagueCupTankard.jpg

The League Cup was criticised by the better-endowed clubs. The Times{{'}} correspondent at the time felt that the League Cup was a step in the wrong direction; the European Cup had been formed five years prior to the League Cup and the correspondent felt the League Cup's introduction was adding to existing problems. The Times published on 30 May 1960: "Where a drastic reduction is required in an attempt to raise quality, no doubt quantity and a further spread of mediocrity will be the dose. Where men like Count Bernabeu with his wider horizons, think in terms of a European League for the future in which a lead could surely now be given jointly by our leaders, the Football League propose next season to implement their useless Football League Cup to be played in midweek. It gets the players, the clubs and the public nowhere."{{cite web|title=Nothing new in League Cup: Football innovation gets us nowhere|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1960-05-30-04-004&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1960-05-30-04|work=The Times|access-date=26 October 2013|date=30 May 1960}}{{subscription required}}

Aston Villa were the inaugural winners in 1960–61, defeating Rotherham United 3–2 in the final over two legs. Football in England was considered to be of a low quality, compared to what was being played on the continent, as relatively unfashionable clubs Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers were England's representatives in Europe that year, having lifted the major honours ahead of much bigger clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United. Richards referred to the appetite for European football as 'continental fever'. He was keen for the league to re-establish itself: 'We must be prepared to put the interests of the League and the game before individual clubs.'{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=216 }} Sixteen clubs opposed the competition's creation, thirty-one approved it. The average attendance across the League Cup was 10,556, just higher than the average gate in the Third Division.{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=228 }} The total attendance of the Football League competition had fallen by 4 million from the previous season. Richards is reputed to have told Hardaker that he foresaw 'the League Cup final being held at Wembley, but that it wouldn't be during his lifetime'. The first League Cup final to be held at Wembley was Third Division Queens Park Rangers' win over First Division West Bromwich Albion on 4 March 1967. Richards died in 1968.

The first League Cup was won in 1960–61 by Aston Villa who, at the time, held the overall record for major trophies won in England. The next three finals, however, saw the trophy won by clubs who had never won a major trophy before. One of them, Norwich City, had yet to even play in the First Division, while their opponents Rochdale had played no higher than the Third Division.{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=205 }}

The introduction of the League Cup gave the Football League more negotiating power with the FA and UEFA. Hardaker threatened UEFA with a boycott of the UEFA Cup, unless UEFA gave the League Cup winner European qualification. As a result of the negotiating tactics, UEFA provided the League Cup winner with a place in the European competitions, providing the team was in the first division. Tottenham Hotspur were the first team to qualify for Europe by virtue of winning the competition. Although Leeds United had won the competition before Tottenham, Leeds qualified for Europe based on league position. The winners of the 1966–67 and 1968–69 editions, Queen's Park Rangers and Swindon Town did not participate in Europe, as they were not in the First Division.{{Cite web |title=Club History |url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2017/apr-2017/club-history2/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=swindontownfc.co.uk|archive-date=22 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522174554/http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/club/history/ |url-status=live }}

Prior to the agreement with UEFA, the competition was not considered worthy of the larger clubs' attention. However, once a position in Europe was on offer, as was a final at Wembley Stadium, the competition's standing was improved and in the 1968–69 season only Manchester United declined to participate.{{Cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=League football and the men who made it |publisher=Harper Collins |year=1988 |isbn=978-0002182423 |location=London |pages=242}} Everton chose not to compete in 1970–71 so that they could concentrate their efforts on the European Cup. Entry was made compulsory for all Football League teams the following year.

Liverpool have won the cup on the most occasions with ten victories, and both they and Manchester City have won four League Cups in successive years. Liverpool completed two trebles of trophy wins, in 1983–84 and 2000–01, winning the League Cup in both of these years.{{Cite news|url=https://talksport.com/football/157364/flashback-liverpool-win-treble-15-years-man-united-14053093661/|title=Flashback: Liverpool win treble 15 years before Man United|work=talkSport|date=30 May 2014|access-date=13 February 2023|last=Mannion|first=Danny|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213154254/https://talksport.com/football/157364/flashback-liverpool-win-treble-15-years-man-united-14053093661/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/liverpools-2001-team-better-than-istanbul-squad-hamann/up1iups2tig215qjxox0ahnw1|title=Liverpool's 2001 team was better than the miracle of Istanbul squad – Hamann|work=Goal|date=12 April 2020|access-date=13 February 2023|last=Smith|first=Emma|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213154257/https://www.goal.com/en/news/liverpools-2001-team-better-than-istanbul-squad-hamann/up1iups2tig215qjxox0ahnw1|url-status=live}}

English clubs lost their place in European competitions for an indefinite period in 1985 as a result of the Heysel disaster, where Liverpool fans had taken part in a riot at the European Cup final, resulting in the death of 39 spectators. That year's winners of the League Cup were Norwich City, who would otherwise have played in a European competition for the first time in the 1985–86 season. Oxford United, Arsenal, Luton Town and Nottingham Forest also missed out on the chance to compete in the UEFA Cup as League Cup holders over the next four years. Even when the ban was lifted in 1990, League Cup winners did not participate in European competitions for two more years, when Manchester United won the trophy and qualified for the UEFA Cup anyway, as they had finished second in the league. In the previous two seasons, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday had both been prevented from competing in the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners, due to the gradual reintegration of English clubs in European competitions.

In 2016–17, the competition was renamed the EFL Cup as part of the Football League's rebranding to become the English Football League.

In the early 21st century, following restructuring of European football, particularly of its international club competitions, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, there were considerations of removing the prize of European qualification from the League Cup's winners. England and France are the only UEFA members to offer a European berth to the winners of their second cup competitions until 2020, when Coupe de la Ligue was suspended indefinitely, meaning England is the only UEFA member to do so.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49747220|title=French League Cup suspended from 2020|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=9 September 2021|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224061100/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49747220|url-status=live}} This has allowed the League Cup to retain popularity, especially with fans of clubs for whom success in cup competitions offers their only realistic chance of qualifying for Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/european-qualification-explained|title=European qualification for UEFA competitions explained|publisher=Premier League|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525124517/https://www.premierleague.com/european-qualification-explained|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/|title=The Competition – EFL|website=efl.com|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107185549/https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/|url-status=live}}

Giant-killings are less well remembered in the League Cup than in the FA Cup due to the absence of non-league sides and the fact that big clubs often field more inexperienced sides in the early rounds. However, there have been some notable upsets, the final of 1966–67 saw Division Three side Queens Park Rangers come from 2–0 down at half time to win 3–2 against top-flight West Bromwich Albion in the first League Cup Final to be hosted at Wembley Stadium. Two years later in 1968–69, Third Division side Swindon Town beat Arsenal 3–1 after extra time in the final to win the trophy. In 1974–75, Fourth Division side Chester beating defending league champions Leeds United 3–0 on their surprise run to the semi-finals.

Former League club and now defunct Scarborough defeated Chelsea 4–3 on aggregate in October 1989, while a Fourth Division club. In 1992–93, Scarborough then defeated Coventry City (then a top-tier side) 3–2 on aggregate, before ultimately going out of the competition, narrowly, 1–0, against Arsenal.

In 1995–96, Manchester United were beaten 3–0 at home by York City in the second round, first leg; United could only win 3–1 in the second leg and went out 4–3 on aggregate (York went on to repeat the achievement against Everton the following year). United went on to win the FA Premier League and FA Cup double and did not lose another home game that season, while York narrowly avoided relegation to Division Three (fourth tier).

Grimsby Town recorded a number of upsets over a nine-year stretch; whilst playing in the third tier in 1997–98 they defeated Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday 4–3 on aggregate over both legs before knocking out fellow Premier League side (and League Cup holders) Leicester City 3–1. In 2001–02, they beat current holders Liverpool at Anfield with a 2–1 win in extra time. Four years later, they recorded another giant killing by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 at home, by this time Grimsby were playing in the fourth tier.

Manchester United have also been knocked out by Southend United and Coventry City in 2006–07 and 2007–08 respectively: in the match against Southend they fielded a strong side with 10 internationals, bucking a trend they had themselves started during the 1990s.{{cite news|title=Southend 1–0 Man Utd|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6116346.stm|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 November 2006|archive-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921151223/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6116346.stm|url-status=live}} In the 2014–15 season, Manchester United fielded five international players but lost 4–0 in the second round (in which they entered the tournament) against third-tier side MK Dons.{{cite news|title=Manchester United loss to MK Dons: press, fan, coach and player reaction|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/manchester-united-loss-to-mk-dons-press-fan-coach-and-player-reaction/story-fndkzvnd-1227038631108|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=News.com.au|date=27 August 2014|archive-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827161712/http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/manchester-united-loss-to-mk-dons-press-fan-coach-and-player-reaction/story-fndkzvnd-1227038631108|url-status=live}}

In 2010, Liverpool were humbled again by Northampton Town, one of the lowest placed teams in League Two. In the 2012–13 competition, League Two (fourth tier) side Bradford City eliminated three Premier League sides from the competition, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so since Rochdale in 1961–62. However, their luck finally ran out in the final, where they were beaten by Swansea City. In their centenary year, Swansea became the first team from outside England to win the League Cup on 24 February 2013, when they beat Bradford City 5–0 to win their first major English trophy.

In the 2022–23 competition, Gillingham (then ranked 22nd in League Two) eliminated Brentford (then ranked 11th in the Premier League) in the third round on penalties; the teams were 79 places apart in the English football league system.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/premier-league-giant-killers-revel-in-remarkable-win-5914566-Nov2022/|title='We had to walk here' – Premier League giant killers revel in remarkable win|website=The42|date=9 November 2022 |access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109220923/https://www.the42.ie/premier-league-giant-killers-revel-in-remarkable-win-5914566-Nov2022/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://sportgister.com.ng/giant-killers-gillingham-knock-out-brentford-from-carabao-cup/|title=Giant Killers: Gillingham knock out Brentford from Carabao Cup|first=Sedara|last=Oluwadara|date=9 November 2022|access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109220930/https://sportgister.com.ng/giant-killers-gillingham-knock-out-brentford-from-carabao-cup/|url-status=live}}

The League Cup is open to all 92 members of the Premier League and English Football League and is divided into seven rounds, organised so that 32 teams remain by the third round (with the exception of the 1961–62 competition).{{cite web |title=The Football League Cup |url=http://www.soccer.mistral.co.uk/books/flctext.htm |work=soccer.mistral.co.uk |publisher=SoccerData |access-date=29 August 2012 |archive-date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005085103/http://www.soccer.mistral.co.uk/books/flctext.htm |url-status=live }} The fixtures in every round except the final are determined by a random draw. Since 1996–97, teams involved in European competition during the season have received a bye to the third round; the remaining Premier League teams enter at the second round, and the remaining Football League teams enter at the first round. If the number of byes causes an odd number of teams to enter a round, another team may be given a bye (usually the highest-placed team of those relegated from the Premier League the previous season) or a preliminary round may be played between the two teams promoted from the Football Conference the previous season (or, if only one team is promoted, that team would play against the lowest-placed team not to be relegated from the Football League the previous season); preliminary rounds have only been necessary in the 2002–03 and 2011–12 competitions.{{cite news |title=Carling Cup set for preliminary round |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/capitalonecup/news/20110613/carling-cup-set-for-preliminary-round_2293330_2375498 |publisher=The Football League |date=13 June 2011 |access-date=29 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216012223/http://www.football-league.co.uk/capitalonecup/news/20110613/carling-cup-set-for-preliminary-round_2293330_2375498 |archive-date=16 December 2013}} Up to 1995–96, all teams were involved by the second round, although some received byes to that stage.

Matches in all rounds are single-legged, except for the semi-finals, which have been two-legged since the competition began. The final was two-legged from 1961 to 1966, but has been single-legged ever since. The first round was two-legged from 1975–76 to 2000–01, and the second round was two-legged from 1979–80 to 2000–01. Single-legged matches would be replayed as necessary until 1993–94, when penalties were introduced to settle the first replay; the last single-legged tie to require a replay was played in 1996–97.

Until 1974–75, two-legged ties that remained level after extra time in the second leg would be replayed; in that time, three ties reached a third replay. Between 1975–76 and 1979–80, ties would still be replayed, but a penalty shoot-out would be used to settle ties that could not be decided after a replay; replays of two-legged matches were finally abolished for 1980–81, with the away goals rule and penalties being adopted instead. The semi-finals were the exception to this, with level ties being replayed until 1986–87, after which the away goals rule and penalties were introduced. The semi-finals, when played over two legs, would apply the away goals rule only after extra time.{{cite web|url=https://www.givemesport.com/1698902-jamie-carragher-slams-uefas-decision-to-scrap-away-goals-rule-in-european-football|title=Jamie Carragher slams UEFA's decision to scrap away goals rule in European football|publisher=givemesport.com|date=28 May 2021|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213336/https://www.givemesport.com/1698902-jamie-carragher-slams-uefas-decision-to-scrap-away-goals-rule-in-european-football|url-status=live}}{{failed verification |reason=This source doesn't mention EFL Cup|date=July 2023}} From 2018–19, extra time was scrapped for all rounds except the final, and the away goal rule was scrapped for the semi-final, with level ties going straight to a penalty shoot-out.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44415928 |title=Carabao Cup: Extra time scrapped & VAR to be used at Premier League grounds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140231/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44415928 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/june/extra-time-removed-from-carabao-cup-matches/|title=2018/19: Carabao Cup rule changes|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624021409/https://www.efl.com/news/2018/june/extra-time-removed-from-carabao-cup-matches/|url-status=live}}

File:Chelsea Vs Arsenal - Carling Cup Final 25 Feb 2007.jpg between Chelsea and Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff]]

For the first six seasons of the Football League Cup, the final was played over two legs, one at the home ground of each finalist. Since 1967, the final has been played as a single match at Wembley Stadium, although the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was used between 2001 and 2007, following the demolition of the old Wembley. Between 1967 and 1997, finals that finished level after extra time were replayed at an alternative venue until a winner was decided. The venues that hosted replays were Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, Old Trafford and Maine Road in Manchester and Villa Park in Birmingham. The only final to require two replays was the 1977 final between Aston Villa and Everton.

Since 1998, finals that have finished level after extra time have been decided by penalty shoot-out. Until 1999–2000, the final was played in late March or early April. Thereafter it has been played in late February or early March.

Since 1989–90, the best player in the League Cup final has been presented with the Alan Hardaker Trophy, named after Alan Hardaker, the former secretary of the Football League who devised the Football League Cup. John Terry, Ben Foster, Vincent Kompany and Virgil van Dijk are the only players to win the award more than once.{{cite web |title=Alan Hardaker Trophy |url=https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/the-alan-hardaker-trophy |publisher=EFL |access-date=27 July 2018 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181016/https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/the-alan-hardaker-trophy |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of EFL Cup finals}}

From 1981 to the present (except in 2016–17), the League Cup has attracted title sponsorship, which meant, unlike its older sibling the FA Cup, the League Cup was named after its sponsor, giving it the following names:

{{Clear}}

The winners receive the Football League Cup, of which there have been three designs – the current one also being the original, a three-handled Georgian-style urn with a separate plinth (added later). Designed and manufactured by Mappin & Webb, it weighs 2.976 kg and measures 27 cm by 20.5 cm. It is worth around £20,000. It was used until the 1980–81 competition, before coming back into use ever since the 1990–91 competition.{{Cite web|url=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFZViCdsWTk/SRgxOBVMDEI/AAAAAAAAHf4/GEvMzKyE0Ds/s400/1982MilkCup.jpg|title=Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur Match Programme cover 1982 final|access-date=21 April 2009|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231251/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFZViCdsWTk/SRgxOBVMDEI/AAAAAAAAHf4/GEvMzKyE0Ds/s400/1982MilkCup.jpg|url-status=live}} The reason for the break in usage was the introduction of the first competition sponsor – the Milk Marketing Board, which chose to award its own trophy from 1981–82 to 1985–86.{{Cite web|url=http://www.collectsoccer.com/acatalog/MilkCupFinal1983-Liverpool-MU-26.03.83-L.jpg|title=Man United v Liverpool programme 1983}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The next sponsor, Littlewoods, also chose to award their own trophy, from 1986–87 until 1989–90.{{Cite web |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/javaImages/45/5e/0,,10372~3628613,00.jpg |title=From Luton Town Official website |access-date=21 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725151455/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/javaImages/45/5e/0,,10372~3628613,00.jpg |archive-date=25 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} Later sponsors have used the original.

{{Update section|date=March 2025}}

In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 15 matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports through 2024{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/11558301/sky-sports-extends-efl-contract-until-2024-broadcasting-138-live-games-per-season|title=Sky Sports extends EFL contract until 2024, broadcasting 138 live games per season|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226183219/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/11558301/sky-sports-extends-efl-contract-until-2024-broadcasting-138-live-games-per-season|url-status=live}} with highlights from the several matches on ITV Sport beginning in 2022/23.{{Cite web|url=https://www.football.london/championship/quest-tv-championship-highlights-stream-14991892|title=What is Quest TV? Everything you need to know|last1=Brown|first1=Graeme|last2=Johnson|first2=Greg|date=1 September 2018|website=footballlondon|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=14 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814131340/https://www.football.london/championship/quest-tv-championship-highlights-stream-14991892|url-status=live}} This competition is included in the EFL broadcast package.

From 2024/25, all matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports, with ITV showing both semi finals (One first leg and the other second leg) and the final live (Sharing coverage with Sky Sports. With Sky Sports broadcasting the final).{{Cite web |last=EFL |date=2024-05-30 |title=Sky Sports and ITV agree deal in principle to broadcast select Carabao Cup and EFL Championship fixtures free-to-air from 2025 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/may/30/sky-sports-and-itv-agree-deal-in-principle-to-broadcast-select-carabao-cup-and-efl-championship-fixtures-free-to-air-from-2025/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=EFL |language=en}}

{{As of|2025}}:

• Most tournament wins (team): 10 – Liverpool{{cite web |title=League Cup Records |url=http://www.carlingcup.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AllTimeStats/0,,11995,00.html |publisher=Coors Brewers |access-date=1 February 2009 |archive-date=18 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418063646/http://www.carlingcup.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AllTimeStats/0,,11995,00.html |url-status=dead }}
• Most consecutive tournament wins (team): 4 – Liverpool (1981–1984) and Manchester City (2018–2021)
• Most final appearances (team): 15 – Liverpool
• Most tournament wins (individual): 6
• Sergio Agüero and Fernandinho for Manchester City (2014, 2016, 2018–2021)
• Most final appearances: (individual): 6
• Ian Rush for Liverpool (1981–1984, 1987, 1995)
• Emile Heskey for Leicester City (1997, 1999, 2000), Liverpool (2001, 2003) and Aston Villa (2010)
• Fernandinho for Manchester City (2014, 2016, 2018–2021)
• Most finals scored in: (individual): 3 – Didier Drogba{{cite web |title=The League Cup: 2000-2009 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2020/february/the-league-cup-2000-2009/ |website=EFL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129181251/https://www.efl.com/news/2020/february/the-league-cup-2000-2009/ |archive-date=29 November 2022 |date=28 February 2020}}
• Most goals scored (individual, career): 49 – Ian Rush{{cite news |title=Carling Cup final: Ian Rush wary of Liverpool pressure |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17134453 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 February 2012 |access-date=19 December 2019 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219153402/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17134453 |url-status=live }}
• Most goals scored (individual, season): 12 – Clive Allen, Tottenham Hotspur (1986–87)
• Most goals scored (individual, match): 6 – Frankie Bunn (Oldham Athletic, vs Scarborough, 25 October 1989){{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009 |publisher=Headline |year=2008 |page=1027 |isbn=978-0-7553-1820-9 }}
• Biggest win:
• West Ham United 10–0 Bury, second round, second leg, 25 October 1983
• Liverpool 10–0 Fulham, second round first leg, 23 September 1986{{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009 |publisher=Headline |year=2008 |page=1028 |isbn=978-0-7553-1820-9 }}
• Biggest aggregate win in a semi-final: Manchester City 10–0 Burton Albion (9–0 home, 1–0 away), 23 January 2019{{Cite news |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |title=Burton Albion 0 Manchester City 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46839107 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 January 2019 |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123214915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46839107 |url-status=live }}
• Biggest win in a final: Swansea City 5–0 Bradford City, 24 February 2013{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Bradford 0–5 Swansea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21489673 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2013 |access-date=24 February 2013 |archive-date=22 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122051138/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21489673 |url-status=live }}
• Highest scoring game: 12 goals
• Reading 5–7 (a.e.t.) Arsenal, fourth round, 30 October 2012{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Smith |title=Reading 5–7 Arsenal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20053678 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=22 January 2014 |archive-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104115322/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20053678 |url-status=live }}
• Dagenham & Redbridge 6–6 (a.e.t.) Brentford, first round, 12 August 2014{{cite news |title=Dagenham & Redbridge 6–6 Brentford |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28652337 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2014 |access-date=14 August 2014 |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123170344/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28652337 |url-status=live }}
• Most penalties scored in a penalty shoot-out: 31
• Preston North End 16-15 Fulham (17 September 2024)
• Liverpool 14–13 Middlesbrough (23 September 2014){{cite news |first=Sam |last=Sheringham |title=Liverpool 2–2 Middlesbrough (14–13 on penalties) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29216833 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2014 |accessdate=2 May 2022 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502161828/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29216833 |url-status=live }}
• Derby County 14–13 Carlisle United (23 August 2016){{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37091354 |title=Derby County 1 1 Carlisle United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2016 |access-date=24 August 2016 |archive-date=24 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824132433/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37091354 |url-status=live }}
• Most penalties attempted in a penalty shoot-out: 34 – Preston North End 16-15 Fulham (17 September 2024)
• Youngest player: Harvey Elliott ({{age in years and days|2003|4|4|2018|9|25}}) – Millwall vs Fulham (25 September 2018){{cite web |title=Millwall 1–3 Fulham: Harvey Elliott, 15, becomes Fulham's youngest player |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45555886 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2018 |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606095404/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45555886 |url-status=live }}
• Youngest goalscorer in the final: Norman Whiteside ({{age in years and days|1965|5|7|1983|3|26}}) – Manchester United vs Liverpool, 1983{{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009 |publisher=Headline |year=2008 |page=1030 |isbn=978-0-7553-1820-9 }}
• Youngest captain in the final: Barry Venison ({{age in years and days|1964|8|16|1985|3|24}}) – Sunderland vs Norwich City, 1985
• Most replays in a tie: 3
• Tranmere Rovers v. Chester (1968–69, first round): 0–0, 2–2 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 2–1
• Reading v. Brighton & Hove Albion (1974–75, first round): 0–0, 2–2 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 0–0 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 3–2
• Hartlepool v. Bournemouth (1974–75, second round): 1–1, 2–2 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–0
• Birmingham City v. Notts County (1983–84, third round): 2–2, 0–0 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 0–0 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 3–1
• Swindon Town v. Bolton Wanderers (1989–90, third round): 3–3, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 1–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}, 2–1 {{tooltip|aet|after extra time}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html |title=England League Cup Full Results 1960–1996 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |access-date=23 December 2022 |archive-date=27 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227232525/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html |url-status=live }}
• Lowest league tier of a League Cup winner: tier 3
• Queens Park Rangers (1966–67; Football League Third Division – overall rank 45th)
• Swindon Town (1968–69; Football League Third Division – overall rank 46th)
• Lowest league tier of a League Cup runner-up: tier 4
• Rochdale F.C. (1961–62; Football League Fourth Division – overall rank 80th)
• Bradford City (2012–13; Football League Two – overall rank 75th)
• Recent Winners:
• 2023–24 Season: Liverpool secured their tenth EFL Cup title, defeating Chelsea 1–0 in the final. This extended their record as the most successful club in the competition's history.
• 2024–25 Season: Newcastle United emerged as champions, having defeated Liverpool 2–1 in the final on March 16, 2025. This marked Newcastle's first EFL Cup triumph.& Format Changes (2024–25 Season Onwards): Significant adjustments have been implemented for the 2024–25 season and onwards. Since the 2018–19 season, matches that are drawn after 90 minutes now proceed directly to a penalty shootout to determine the winner, with extra time no longer being played.For the 2024–25 season, a new third-round seeding mechanism has been introduced for clubs participating in UEFA competitions to avoid fixture congestion. Additionally, third-round fixtures are now spread across two separate midweek dates.The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is utilized in all EFL Cup ties held at Premier League stadiums.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html England League Cup Full Results 1960–1996] and [https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphist.html List of finals (1961–present)] at Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF)

{{EFL Cup}}

{{Men's football in England}}

{{Football in the United Kingdom}}

{{National football league cups}}

Cup

2

Category:1960 establishments in England

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1960

Category:National association football league cups