Watford will host either York City or Crawley Town in the first round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup on Saturday 8 August, the club has confirmed. The 3pm kick-off at Vicarage Road marks the start of the Hornets’ competitive season, with the opponent to be decided by a preliminary round tie earlier that week.
Watford Football Club announced the fixture details on 7 July following the draw held on 25 June. York City and Crawley Town, both of League Two, will face each other on Monday 3 August at the LNER Community Stadium in York, with a 7.30pm kick-off. The winners then travel to Vicarage Road five days later. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.
The preliminary round was required because York City earned promotion from the National League last season, joining Rochdale as the two new EFL clubs. They were paired with the sides that finished 21st and 22nd in League Two. This season’s competition remains regionalised until the third round, when the nine Premier League clubs involved in European competition enter. Eleven other top‑flight sides join at the second‑round stage.
Manchester City are the defending champions after winning the 2025/26 final. The 2027 final is scheduled for Sunday 21 March.
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