Sport and Music Logo

Carabao Cup Third Round Draw: Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool Learn Their Opponents

Old Trafford VIP Tickets Etihad Stadium - Manchester City Anfield Stadium Founders Lounge

The Carabao Cup third-round draw has been confirmed, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all handed home ties as they enter the competition.

Manchester United will welcome Brighton to Old Trafford, holders Manchester City begin their defence of the trophy against Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium, while Liverpool face one of the standout ties of the round as Tottenham Hotspur travel to Anfield.

With the Premier League clubs competing in Europe entering the Carabao Cup at this stage, the third round marks a significant step up in the competition, with several all-Premier League encounters among the 16 ties.

Manchester United Draw Brighton at Old Trafford

Manchester United will begin their 2026/27 Carabao Cup campaign at home against Brighton.

It represents a challenging start to the competition for United, with the two Premier League sides set to meet at Old Trafford for a place in the fourth round.

With United competing across the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup competitions this season, the Carabao Cup provides another opportunity to compete for silverware.

The Old Trafford tie will also be one of several all-Premier League matches in the third round.

Secure your hospitality tickets for Manchester United vs Brighton >

Old Trafford Hospitality Packages

Experience Manchester United in luxury

  • Private Executive Box for 8 guests
  • Informal dining experience
  • Four course buffet
  • Complimentary bar including beer, wine & soft drinks
  • Private, outdoor balcony to watch all the action on the pitch
  • Car Parking
  • 3 hours pre kick off, half time and 1 hour post match
  • Dress code – smart casual
  • Matchday programme
Manchester United Private Executive Box
  • Sir Alex Ferguson Stand Executive Padded seat in Block N2406
  • Access to the Manchester Suite VIP
  • Reserved table inside the restaurant with a Four course a la carte menu
  • Arrival champagne and canapes, and post-match snacks
  • Complimentary bar including spirits, beer, wine & soft drinks
  • 3 hours pre kick off, half time and 1 hour post match
  • Dress code – smart casual
  • Complimentary match programme
Manchester United Manchester Suite VIP 2
  • Sir Alex Ferguson Stand Executive Padded seat in Block N3416
  • Access to the Salford Suite Bar & Kitchen
  • Drinks and hot food options available to purchase on the day
  • 3 hours pre kick off, half time and 1 hour post match
  • Dress code – smart casual
  • Complimentary match programme
Manchester United - Salford Suite - Hospitality Tickets
  • Sir Bobby Charlton Stand Executive Padded seat in Block S223
  • Access to the Sir Bobby Charlton Suite Bar & Kitchen
  • Drinks and hot street food options available to purchase on the day
  • 3 hours pre kick off, half time and 1 hour post match
  • Dress code – smart casual
  • Complimentary match programme
Manchester United - Sir Bobby Charlton Suite - Hospitality Tickets (2)
  • Executive Padded seating in Block E334
  • Pre-match access to the Trinity Club
  • Complimentary bar including beer, wine & soft drinks
  • Informal dining experience with Contemporary bowl food served pre-match
  • 3 hours access pre kick off, access to the Trinity Club not included at half time or post match.
  • Dress code – smart casual
  • Complimentary match programme
Manchester United Trinity Plus
  • Executive Padded seating in Block NW3432
  • Concourse meal voucher to include 1 hot food item, 1 drink and 1 snack
  • Match programme voucher
  • Access to the stadium 2 hours before kick-off
Old Trafford Ticket Plus

Manchester City Begin Carabao Cup Defence Against Norwich

Carabao Cup holders Manchester City have been handed a home tie against Championship side Norwich City.

City lifted the trophy last season and will begin their defence at the Etihad Stadium as they look to continue their strong record in the competition.

On paper, City will head into the game as favourites, but cup football can provide opportunities for upsets and Norwich will travel to Manchester looking to cause one of the shocks of the third round.

City also have an impressive recent home record against the Canaries, having avoided defeat in their last five meetings at the Etihad dating back to 2013.

Secure your hospitality tickets for Manchester City vs Norwich City >

Etihad Stadium Hospitality Packages

Experience Manchester City in luxury

  • Complimentary matchday programme
  • Lounge access 1.5 hours before kick-off and 1 hour after the final whistle
  • Hot street food and beverages available to purchase
  • Padded seat to watch the match on Level 1 in Blocks 110, or 121
  • Relaxed lounge access onsite with unreserved seating
Etihad Stadium 9320 Lounge
  • Complimentary matchday programme
  • Executive padded seats on Level 1 in block 106
  • Relaxed and comfortable surroundings in the onsite lounge
  • Selection of bar food and drink to purchase
  • Welcome drink on arrival
Etihad Stadium Joes Bar

Liverpool Face Tottenham in Standout Third-Round Tie

Arguably the biggest fixture produced by the draw sees Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

The two sides are already familiar opponents in the Carabao Cup, having met in the semi-finals during the 2024/25 competition. Liverpool progressed on that occasion with a 4-1 aggregate victory.

This time, however, everything will be decided in a single third-round encounter at Anfield.

With two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs going head-to-head so early in the competition, one potential contender for the trophy will be eliminated before the fourth round.

Secure your hospitality tickets for Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur >

Anfield Hospitality Packages

Experience Liverpool in luxury

  • Lounge access three hours prior to kick-off
  • Use of Bob Paisley or Bill Shankly suites
  • Complimentary hot and cold buffet
  • Executive padded seats in Blocks CE3-CE7
  • Complimentary match programme
  • Half-time tea & coffee
  • Cash bar available throughout
SportMusic 8
  • New Anfield Road Stand Hospitality Match Tickets
  • Padded Seat: Blocks AM1- AM2
  • Pitch View Lounge Access
  • Lounge opens 3 hours pre-match and 1 hour post-match
  • Complimentary street food
  • Half-time refreshments (pre-poured beer/house wine/soft drink)
  • Visit from a former LFC player
  • Complimentary matchday programme
SportMusic 8

Carabao Cup Third Round Draw in Full

The complete Carabao Cup third-round draw is:

  • Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough
  • Manchester United v Brighton
  • Manchester City v Norwich City
  • Sunderland v Hull City
  • Ipswich Town v Arsenal
  • Coventry City v Aston Villa
  • Bournemouth v Lincoln City
  • Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
  • Chelsea or Luton Town v Leeds United
  • Millwall v Newcastle United
  • Fleetwood Town v Sheffield United
  • Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • Leyton Orient v Bradford City
  • Reading v Brentford
  • Peterborough United v Barnsley
  • West Ham United v Fulham or AFC Wimbledon

When Will the Carabao Cup Third Round Be Played?

Carabao Cup third-round fixtures will be spread across the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September 2026.

The staggered schedule accommodates the clubs competing in European competitions, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace all entering the Carabao Cup in the third round.

The winners will progress to round four, which is scheduled for the week commencing 26 October 2026.

When Is the 2027 Carabao Cup Final?

The 2026/27 Carabao Cup will conclude at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 21 March 2027.

Before then, the competition will progress through the fourth round in October, fifth round in December and two-legged semi-finals in January and February.

For Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, the journey begins at home – but with United facing Brighton and Liverpool hosting Tottenham, there is already the potential for some major names to exit the competition at the first hurdle.

Carabao Cup Third Round FAQs

Manchester United have been drawn at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup. The tie will be played at Old Trafford, with the winner progressing to the fourth round.

Manchester City will face Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup third round. City enter the competition as defending champions and will begin their defence of the trophy on home soil.

Liverpool have been drawn against Tottenham Hotspur in one of the standout fixtures of the Carabao Cup third round. The all-Premier League tie will take place at Anfield.

The 2026/27 Carabao Cup third-round fixtures will be played across the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September 2026. The schedule is split across two weeks to accommodate clubs competing in European competitions.

The Carabao Cup fourth-round draw will determine the last 16 of the competition. The exact draw details will be confirmed by the EFL, with fourth-round matches scheduled to take place during the week commencing 26 October 2026.

Sport and Music offers a range of premium hospitality packages for some of the biggest Carabao Cup fixtures, including matches involving Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. With premium seating, access to exclusive hospitality areas and a variety of food and drink options available depending on the package, you can experience Carabao Cup football in style.

Explore our latest Carabao Cup hospitality packages to find the right matchday experience for you.