Carabao Cup Semi Final Fixtures 2026 Set as Arsenal Edge Crystal Palace to Secure Chelsea Clash
The English Football League has finalized the semi-final fixtures for the 2025/26 Carabao Cup following a night of high-stakes drama at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal secured the final remaining spot in the last four after overcoming Crystal Palace in a tense penalty shootout on Tuesday evening. This result sets up a blockbuster London derby between the Gunners and Chelsea in the next round of the competition. Meanwhile the other semi-final will feature current holders Newcastle United against perennial contenders Manchester City in a battle of two Premier League giants. These two-legged ties are scheduled to take place across January and February with all four clubs aiming for a place in the prestigious final at Wembley Stadium.
Arsenal’s path to the semi-finals was far from straightforward as they were pushed to the limit by a resilient Crystal Palace side. The match ended in a one-all draw after ninety minutes with Maxence Lacroix’s own goal initially putting Arsenal ahead before Marc Guehi equalized in the final seconds of stoppage time. The ensuing penalty shootout saw both teams convert their first seven attempts with clinical precision before the pressure finally told. Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga emerged as the hero of the night by saving Lacroix’s decisive spot-kick to ensure an eight-seven victory for Mikel Arteta’s men. This hard-fought win keeps Arsenal’s hopes of domestic silverware alive and prepares them for a tactical showdown with Chelsea.
Chelsea had already booked their place in the final four after a convincing three-one victory over Cardiff City earlier in the month. The Blues displayed their attacking depth with Alejandro Garnacho netting twice to help Enzo Maresca’s side reach the semi-finals for another consecutive year. They will now host the first leg against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday January 14 with the return fixture taking place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday February 3. This matchup represents a significant hurdle for both London clubs as they seek to establish their dominance in the nation’s premier league cup competition. Fans are expecting a high-octane encounter between two teams that have consistently performed well in knockout formats.
In the other half of the draw Newcastle United will continue their quest to defend the Carabao Cup title against a formidable Manchester City team. The Magpies reached the semi-finals thanks to a late header from young star Lewis Miley which secured a two-one win over Fulham at St. James’ Park. Their opponents Manchester City comfortably brushed aside Brentford with a two-zero victory that highlighted their status as one of the favorites to win the tournament. The first leg of this tie is set for Tuesday January 13 in the northeast of England followed by a deciding second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday February 4. Pep Guardiola will be looking to secure his fifth League Cup title while Eddie Howe aims to bring more glory to the Tyneside faithful.
The English Football League has confirmed that the winners of these two ties will meet in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday March 22 2026. This competition remains a vital opportunity for clubs to secure major silverware early in the calendar year and serves as a launching pad for further success. With four of the strongest teams in the country remaining the semi-final stage is expected to deliver top-tier football for global audiences. Broadcast details for the upcoming matches have already been released with major networks providing full coverage of every minute. The road to Wembley is now clearly defined and the stage is set for a month of intense footballing action as the final four battle for domestic supremacy.
