2023–24 EFL Cup


The 2023–24 EFL Cup was the 64th season of the EFL Cup. The competition was open to all clubs participating in the Premier League and the English Football League.
The winner of the competition qualified for the play-off round of the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League. However, as champions Liverpool qualified for the UEFA Champions League that season, the spot for the Conference League play-offs was passed down to runners-up Chelsea, who finished 6th in the 2023–24 Premier League and had not qualified for any UEFA competition beforehand.
Manchester United were the defending champions, but were eliminated by Newcastle United, whom they had beaten in the previous season's final, in the fourth round.
The final was played at Wembley Stadium on 25 February 2024 between Liverpool and Chelsea. Liverpool secured a record-extending tenth title following a 1–0 win after extra time, courtesy of club captain Virgil van Dijk's late header.

Access

All 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League entered the season's EFL Cup.
In the first round, all Championship, League One and League Two clubs entered.
The following round, the Premier League clubs not involved in the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League entered.
Clubs entering in this roundClubs advancing from previous roundNumber of gamesMain date
First round

  • N/A
    		• 368 August 2023
    Second round
  • 36 winners from first round
    		• 2429 August 2023
    Third round
  • 24 winners from second round
    		• 1627 September 2023
    Fourth round
  • No clubs enter the fourth round
  • 16 winners from third round
    		• 81 November 2023
    Quarter-finals
    • No clubs enter the quarter-finals
  • 8 winners from fourth round
    		• 419 December 2023
    Semi-finals
    • No clubs enter the semi-finals
  • 4 winners from quarter-finals
    		• 4 9 January 202423 January 2024
    Final

    • No clubs enter the final
  • 2 winners from semi-finals
    		• 125 February 2024

    First round

    A total of 72 clubs played in the first round: the 24 clubs from League Two the 24 clubs from League One and the 24 clubs from the Championship entered at this stage. The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.
    Premier LeagueChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoTotal

    Second round

    A total of 48 clubs played in the second round: the 12 Premier League clubs not involved in European competition entered at this stage along with the 36 winners from the first round. The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.
    Premier LeagueChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoTotal

    Third round

    A total of 32 clubs played in the third round: the 8 Premier League clubs involved in European competition, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and West Ham United entered the competition at this stage plus the 24 winners from the second round.
    Premier LeagueChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoTotal

    Fourth round

    A total of 16 teams played in the fourth round. League Two side Mansfield Town were the lowest-ranked team in the draw.
    Premier LeagueChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoTotal

    Quarter-finals

    A total of eight teams played in the quarter-finals. League One side Port Vale were the lowest-ranked team in the draw, which took place on 1 November.
    Premier LeagueChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoTotal

    Semi-finals

    A total of four teams played in the semi-finals. Championship side Middlesbrough were the lowest-ranked team in the draw, which took place on 20 December.
    Premier LeagueChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoTotal