As Arsenal and Manchester City get set to contest this weekend’s Carabao Cup Final at Wembley, the EFL can today confirm a major extension to its long‑standing partnership with Carabao, securing the brand as title sponsor of the League Cup through to the 2028/29 season.

The new two‑year agreement takes the partnership to 12 seasons, extending Carabao’s period as the longest‑serving naming partner in the cup’s 66-year history and underlines the enduring strength and relevance of one of English football’s most iconic cup competitions.

Since Carabao first put its name to the League Cup, the competition has produced many memorable moments, not least Manchester City lifting the trophy on four consecutive occasions during the partnership.

Pep Guardiola’s team are one of four different winners in the Carabao era, alongside Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United, the latter ending a 70‑year wait for major silverware with a landmark victory at Wembley.

Across that time, the Carabao Cup has continued to grow in appeal, welcoming more than 10 million supporters through the turnstiles, driving a 20 per cent increase in attendances, and delivering a cumulative global television audience of more than one billion.

From next season, the League Cup will also provide the stage for the UK launch of Carabao Lager, with branding visible across stadiums nationwide and selected fixtures offering supporters the chance to sample the new premium lager on matchday - bringing the partnership directly into the heart of EFL communities and enhancing the shared experience of attending live football.

The impact of the partnership extends well beyond midweek floodlit cup football and the chance for Clubs to win the first silverware of the season at Wembley Stadium.

Through initiatives such as Coach the Coaches, EFL coaches have worked alongside over 2,000 local coaches in Thailand, while 1,800 grassroots teams have competed in Carabao‑supported tournaments for the chance to attend the Final.

Trophy tours and fan events across Thailand, Vietnam and China have brought the competition to new audiences, reinforcing a global reach that now spans 177 territories, with every Carabao Cup match broadcast live on Sky Sports this season.

Trevor Birch, Chief Executive Officer at the EFL, said: “We’re delighted to extend our long-standing partnership with Carabao, taking their title sponsorship of the League Cup to 12 seasons – the longest in the competition’s history.

“The Carabao Cup occupies a special place in our game, bringing people together and creating moments that live long in the memory.

“Carabao have been an outstanding partner throughout, and this renewal underlines a shared commitment to help the competition continue to flourish.

“Together, we want to keep celebrating what makes the Carabao Cup special – exciting, competitive football alongside the opportunity it creates for all 92 clubs, and their supporters, across the English football pyramid.”

Carabao Group CEO, Sathien Sathientham, added: “As proud sponsor of the Carabao Cup since 2017, Carabao is honoured to continue its long-standing partnership with the EFL.

“We are extremely delighted to have extended our sponsorship agreement through to the 2028/29 season.

“This continued partnership reflects our deep commitment to the competition, to the EFL, and to football fans around the world.

“Being part of the competition’s journey for so many years is something we are incredibly proud of, and we look forward to supporting its growth and success for many seasons to come.”

EFL and Carabao renew partnership

EFL and Carabao renew partnership