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EFL Cup

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description EFL Cup Overview

The EFL Cup is an annual knockout football competition organized by the English Football League. It was first played in the 1960-61 season as the Football League Cup and is contested by clubs from the Premier League and the three divisions of the EFL, giving it a field of 92 teams in the standard English league structure. It provides league clubs with a separate route to a domestic cup final and is distinct from the FA Cup, which includes a broader range of English clubs.

help EFL Cup FAQ

Which clubs can enter the EFL Cup?

The competition includes all 92 clubs from the Premier League and the three divisions of the English Football League. It began as the Football League Cup in the 1960 to 1961 season. [Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/58907)

How is the EFL Cup different from the FA Cup?

The EFL Cup is restricted to the top four levels of English football, while the FA Cup includes clubs from a much wider range of the English pyramid. The EFL Cup is therefore a smaller field of 92 professional clubs.

Where is the EFL Cup final played?

The final is traditionally staged at Wembley Stadium in London. The competition is a domestic knockout tournament, and its modern final has become one of English football's regular Wembley occasions.

Why is the EFL Cup also called the Carabao Cup?

Carabao Cup is the competition's sponsored name, while EFL Cup is its general official name. The tournament was rebranded as the EFL Cup when the Football League became the English Football League in 2016. [EFL competition history](https://www.efl.com/competitions/carabao-cup/competition-history/)