The English Football League has announced the preliminary round draw for the 2026-27 Carabao Cup, setting up a home match for York City against Crawley Town.
The draw took place on June 3, 2026, and was conducted by former goalkeeper Lee Camp, who played for Derby, Nottingham Forest, and Birmingham.
>>> NBA Finals Ticket Prices at Madison Square Garden Hit Record Highs
An extra preliminary stage is required this season because nine Premier League clubs will compete in European competitions, following Crystal Palace's UEFA Europa Conference League final victory.
Those clubs receive a bye and will enter the tournament in the third round.
The preliminary round winners will join 23 victorious teams from the second round to complete the third-round lineup.
York City, a newly-promoted National League club, will host Crawley Town, who finished 21st in League Two last season.
The winner advances to the Southern section of the first-round draw.
>>> FC Koln Exercises Option to Permanently Sign Jakub Kaminski from Wolfsburg
In the other preliminary tie, Tranmere Rovers will host Rochdale.
Tranmere ended last season in 22nd place in League Two, while Rochdale is also newly-promoted to the National League.
The winner of that match will enter the Northern section.
The official first-round draw is scheduled for June 25, 2026, coinciding with the EFL fixture release day.
Exact dates and kickoff times for the preliminary ties have not yet been confirmed, but they are projected to be played during the weekend of August 1-2, 2026.
>>> French Open Semifinal: Shnaider vs Chwalinska – Who Will Reach the Final?
The regionalized Northern and Southern sections of the draw will be re-adjusted before the second round.
