EFL Cup Games – 2024/25 Results Fixtures Schedule

The 2024/25 EFL Cup concluded on March 16, 2025, with Newcastle United defeating defending champions Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium. This marked the 65th season of English football’s premier knockout competition, which featured all 92 clubs from the top four tiers of the English football pyramid.

Newcastle’s victory ended a 70-year wait for major silverware, with goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak securing their first-ever League Cup triumph. The tournament, also known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship purposes, maintained its traditional single-elimination structure through most rounds before culminating in a dramatic final contested by two historic clubs.

Seventy clubs from the Championship, League One, and League Two joined the 22 Premier League teams in this season’s competition, with the final 20 top-flight clubs entering at the third round stage. The structure followed established protocols while accommodating adjustments for the expanded European calendar.

What Are the Upcoming EFL Cup Games?

The 2024/25 season has concluded, with all fixtures from the first round to the final now complete. The competition ran from August 2024 through March 2025, with Newcastle United lifting the trophy at Wembley. For the next edition, the 2025/26 EFL Cup, specific fixture dates remain unannounced as of the conclusion of the previous tournament.

What Are the Latest EFL Cup Results?

The 2024/25 EFL Cup produced decisive results across all rounds, culminating in Newcastle United’s historic victory at Wembley. The competition followed its scheduled progression from the first round in August through to the March final.

Final Result

Newcastle United defeated Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025. Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored for Newcastle, securing their first major trophy in seven decades.

Semifinal Results

The semifinal draw occurred on December 19, 2024. First leg matches took place on January 7 and 8, 2025, with Arsenal falling 0-2 and Tottenham securing a 1-0 victory. The second legs concluded on February 5, 2025, with Newcastle and Liverpool both advancing to the final.

Earlier Round Results

The quarterfinals were contested on December 18, 2024, with Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle, and Liverpool all progressing. The fourth round on October 29-30, 2024, saw notable results including Brighton losing 2-3 and Aston Villa falling 1-2. The third round in September featured Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over Barrow and Manchester City’s 2-1 win against Watford.

What Is the EFL Cup?

The EFL Cup, currently sponsored as the Carabao Cup, represents English football’s primary knockout competition outside of the FA Cup. Established in the 1960-61 season, it incorporates all 92 clubs from the Premier League and English Football League.

Competition Format

The tournament operates on a single-elimination basis for most rounds, with the notable exception of the semifinals. Semifinals are contested over two legs, while all other rounds feature one-off matches. The competition employed a specific timing rule throughout 2024/25: no extra time was played until the semifinal second legs and the final, with tied matches proceeding directly to penalties in earlier rounds.

Historical Records

Liverpool hold the record for most EFL Cup victories with ten titles, followed by Manchester City with eight. The 2024/25 season marked a significant shift in this hierarchy as Newcastle claimed their inaugural title, breaking a seven-decade drought for major honors.

Entry Structure

The competition begins with 70 clubs from the Championship, League One, and League Two. Premier League clubs enter in stages: those not participating in European competitions join in the second round, while the remaining top-flight teams enter at the third round stage. This staggered entry ensures lower-league clubs face each other initially while preparing for potential glamour ties against Premier League opposition.

Where Can I Watch EFL Cup Games?

Broadcast arrangements for the EFL Cup vary by region, with dedicated sports networks holding rights across different territories. For the completed 2024/25 season, specific broadcasters carried live coverage of all rounds from August through March.

United Kingdom Coverage

Sky Sports served as the primary broadcaster for all rounds of the competition, with Sky Sports+ handling early round coverage. ITV provided free-to-air broadcasts for select semifinal matches beginning in January 2025.

United States Coverage

Paramount+ and CBS Sports carried all rounds of the tournament, with additional availability on fuboTV and CBS Sports Golazo Network. This arrangement provided comprehensive coverage for American viewers throughout the competition.

When Did the 2024/25 EFL Cup Take Place?

The competition followed a structured calendar from August 2024 through March 2025, with specific dates for each round established prior to the season.

1. First Round: August 13-14, 2024 – 70 clubs from Leagues One, Two, and Championship competed in these opening fixtures
2. Second Round: August 27-28, 2024 – 13 non-European Premier League clubs entered the competition
3. Third Round: September 17-24, 2024 – All 20 Premier League clubs joined the tournament during this period
4. Fourth Round: October 29-30, 2024 – Round of 16 fixtures determined quarterfinalists
5. Quarterfinals: December 18, 2024 – Final eight clubs competed for semifinal places
6. Semifinals First Leg: January 7-8, 2025 – Arsenal and Tottenham played their opening semifinal matches
7. Semifinals Second Leg: February 5, 2025 – Newcastle and Liverpool secured final berths
8. Final: March 16, 2025 – Newcastle defeated Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium

What Do We Know About Future EFL Cup Seasons?

How Does the EFL Cup Compare to Other Competitions?

The EFL Cup occupies a unique position in English football’s calendar, distinct from the historic FA Cup and the Premier League itself. While the FA Cup remains the older and more internationally recognized knockout tournament, the League Cup offers clubs a guaranteed path to European qualification and silverware without the randomness of FA Cup early-round draws against non-league opposition.

For football statistics enthusiasts tracking Most Test Runs in cricket, the EFL Cup similarly accumulates historical data and records across decades of competition. Just as test cricket maintains distinct records from limited-overs formats, the EFL Cup stands separate from league performance metrics.

The tournament’s place in English sporting culture, while distinct from entertainment franchises like Downton Abbey Characters, represents a consistent thread in Britain’s sporting narrative. The 2024/25 season added a significant new chapter with Newcastle’s triumph, altering the historical record that previously saw Liverpool and Manchester City dominate the modern era.

What Do Official Sources Confirm About the Tournament?

Newcastle United won the tournament 2-1 against Liverpool in the final on March 16, 2025, at Wembley Stadium, securing their first-ever League Cup and first major trophy in 70 years.

— Official Match Report, Goal.com

The competition used a single-elimination format for most rounds, with semifinals over two legs. No extra time until semifinals (second leg) and final; ties went straight to penalties through quarterfinals.

— Tournament Format Documentation, Sporting News

Liverpool entered as defending champions, but Newcastle United won the tournament.

— Season Overview, Wikipedia

What Defined the 2024/25 EFL Cup Season?

Newcastle United’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Wembley on March 16, 2025, capped a season that saw the Magpies claim their first League Cup title while ending a 70-year wait for major silverware. The tournament maintained its traditional format across seven months of competition, with all 92 eligible clubs participating before the knockout stages narrowed the field to two finalists. For those tracking Most Test Runs across different sports, this season marked a similarly significant statistical milestone in English football history.

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