The format of the English League Cup will undergo changes for the 2025/26 season.
A preliminary round will be introduced in the tournament. This is due to the fact that nine teams from the English Premier League will participate in European competitions. The preliminary round was the last time the League Cup was played in the 2011/12 season due to the participation of tournament winners Birmingham City in the Europa League, who were already playing in the Championship at the time, as well as Fulham’s exit from the European Cup. Source link
