The 2026/27 EFL Cup is set to reach the third round stage where nine Premier League teams join the competition.
23 clubs will advance from the second round, meaning a total of 32 teams will feature in the draw for the third round.
However, this draw will be unlike others due to the European commitments of Premier League teams. A pre-draw will be held to decide whether each of the eight UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League teams will be at home or away.
Those eight teams will be drawn first, and they will play against one of the 23 winners from the second round.
Unlike the first and second rounds, the EFL Cup third round is not split into regionalised sections.
When is the EFL Cup third round draw?
The draw for the EFL Cup third round will be held on Wednesday 26th August.
It is scheduled to begin following the conclusion of Preston North End's fixture against Everton, which will kick-off at 20:00 BST.
How to watch the EFL Cup third round draw, TV channel & live stream
The EFL Cup third round draw will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Sky Sports subscribers will be able to watch the draw on the Sky Sports app and Sky Go.
EFL Cup third round ball numbers
- AFC Bournemouth
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Crystal Palace
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- Liverpool
- Sunderland
- Barnsley
- Brentford
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Coventry City
- Fleetwood Town
- Hull City
- Ipswich Town
- Leeds United
- Leyton Orient
- Lincoln City
- Middlesbrough
- Millwall
- Norwich City
- Peterborough United
- Reading
- Sheffield United
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Bradford City or Burnley
- Newcastle United or West Bromwich Albion
- Tottenham Hotspur or Charlton Athletic
- Preston North End or Everton
- Chelsea or Luton Town
- Fulham or AFC Wimbledon
