Defending champions Newcastle United have been drawn against eight-time winners Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, setting up a high-profile last-four encounter between two of English football’s most formidable sides.
The second semi-final will see Chelsea face either Arsenal or Crystal Palace, with their opponents yet to be confirmed. That tie will be decided on Tuesday 23 December, following the rescheduling of Arsenal’s quarter-final clash with Palace. The adjustment was made to avoid Oliver Glasner’s side being forced into three matches within a five-day period due to their Europa Conference League commitments on Thursday.
The semi-finals will be contested over two legs, with the first matches scheduled for the week commencing 12 January 2026 and the return fixtures set for the week beginning 2 February.
Chelsea will be aiming to end a long wait for domestic cup success, having finished runners-up to Liverpool in both 2022 and 2024. Their last Carabao Cup triumph came in 2015.
Manchester City, meanwhile, lifted the trophy for a fourth consecutive time in 2021 but have since failed to return to the semi-final stage. Newcastle arrive as holders after ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy with their victory over Liverpool in March, adding further intrigue to their meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Full draw
