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The 2026/27 EFL Cup reaches its final eight stage, featuring some of the biggest clubs in English football battling for the first major domestic trophy of the season. Ahead of the conclusion of the round of 16, key details have been released regarding the upcoming quarter-final draw.
When and Where is the Draw?
According to 101 Great Goals, the draw will take place on Wednesday, October 28, following the match between Bournemouth and Aston Villa. Presenter Dave Jones will host the proceedings alongside former England defenders Conor Coady and Graeme Le Saux.
The match at Anfield begins at 20:00 GMT (16:00 ET / 13:00 PT) and will proceed directly to penalties if scores remain level after 90 minutes. Consequently, the draw is expected to happen at approximately 22:00 GMT (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT), depending on stoppage time and penalty shootouts.
TV Channels and Live Streaming
Television coverage for the fixtures is provided by Sky Sports, with select matches also broadcast on ITV1. Viewers can access Sky Sports via Now TV, with day memberships priced at £14.99, 12-month contracts at £28 a month, and flexible monthly memberships at £34.99.
Online streaming is accessible across multiple devices through the Sky GO app and the ITVX app. Meanwhile, the official ball numbers for the fifth round will be published on the EFL website on Wednesday morning.
Tournament Rules and Match Schedule
Matches finishing level after 90 minutes proceed straight to penalties until the semi-finals, which are contested over two legs. If the aggregate score is tied after the second leg of the semi-finals, extra time and penalties will determine the winner, while the final at Wembley Stadium uses extra time and penalties if necessary.
The tournament winner earns a spot in the UEFA Conference League play-off stage, unless they qualify for a higher European competition through their league position. The round of 16 fixtures span across three days, starting on Tuesday, October 27 with Bradford City facing Peterborough United and Fleetwood Town playing Arsenal.
Wednesday, October 28 fixtures include Manchester City against Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth versus Aston Villa, Fulham meeting Crystal Palace, Sunderland playing Brentford, and Liverpool facing Chelsea. The round concludes on Thursday, October 29, as Everton take on Newcastle United.
