Football fans are set to discover the final pairings for the Carabao Cup's last four, with the semi-final draw poised to shape the path to Wembley. The draw will determine the two-legged ties that stand between the remaining contenders and a coveted spot in the showpiece final at the national stadium.
When and Where to Watch the Draw
The pivotal moment is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 December 2025. The draw will be conducted live immediately after the final whistle of the televised quarter-final clash between Newcastle United and Fulham at St James' Park.
If the match concludes in normal time, viewers should tune in at approximately 10:15 pm GMT. However, should the game require a penalty shootout, the draw will be delayed and is expected to begin around 10:45 pm GMT instead.
Live television coverage in the UK will be exclusively on Sky Sports Premier League. For those on the move, the event can be streamed live via the Sky Go app. If you're not a Sky subscriber, you can still watch by purchasing a day pass through a NOW Sports Membership.
Teams in the Hat and Semi-Final Format
The draw will feature the four victorious teams from the quarter-final stage. The confirmed participants will be the winners of these ties: Cardiff City or Chelsea, Manchester City or Brentford, and Newcastle United or Fulham. Arsenal and Crystal Palace will also enter the mix, with their delayed quarter-final set for 23 December due to Palace's European fixture commitments.
This round marks a significant shift in the competition's structure. The semi-finals are played over two legs, with each team having one home and one away match. The draw will decide which club hosts the crucial first leg.
Key Dates and Additional Coverage
Following the festive break, the first legs of the semi-finals are slated for the week beginning 12 January 2026. The decisive return legs will then be held during the week of 2 February 2026.
For those preferring audio coverage, the draw will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT. Both stations will incorporate the results into their post-match analysis of the evening's fixtures.
With the Wembley final now clearly on the horizon, the semi-final draw represents the last major hurdle in the competition's knockout format, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to this domestic cup campaign.
