Newcastle United will be aiming to be in the hat for the Carabao Cup fourth round draw but first they must defeat Bradford City.
The Carabao Cup tournament for the 2025-26 season is well underway and the reigning champions will finally enter the fray on Wednesday night.
Newcastle United will begin their defence of the precious trophy at St. James’ Park when they welcome Bradford City to Tyneside.
The Bantams are flying high in League One after earning promotion last season and sit at the top of the third tier, having lost just once in their opening nine games.
Graham Alexander, who is friends with Eddie Howe, is the man in charge and will be aiming to add a big upset to his sensational start to the campaign.
It’s been a tough and low-scoring start to the season for Newcastle, but Howe will be desperate to win the trophy again after the joy of last season’s Wembley triumph.
They must defeat Bradford if they are to do so and earn a place in the hat for the 4th round draw.
Here’s what you need to know about it.
- Carabao Cup 2025-26 – Fixtures and results as Newcastle United defend trophy
When is the Carabao Cup 4th round draw?
Newcastle are only entering the competition in the 3rd round due to their participation in the Champions League this season.
The draw for the 4th round will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, once the fixture with Bradford has concluded and Newcastle know if they will be in the hat or not.
The draw is expected to proceed at around 10pm, following the conclusion of Port Vale vs Arsenal, which kicks off at 8pm. Newcastle get underway slightly earlier at 7:45pm.
However, should Arsenal be taken to penalties, the draw will be delayed.
How to watch the Carabao Cup draw live
Sky Sports will be broadcasting every match in the Carabao Cup this season, with Newcastle’s game being shown on Sky Sports Football.
The draw, though, will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, once Port Vale vs Arsenal has finished.
Sky Sports will also stream the draw on their Sky Sports Football YouTube channel and on social media platforms for free, while Sky customers can stream the TV channels live on Sky Go.
What ball number are Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup draw?
Though it’s not yet set in stone if Newcastle will be in the draw, they have been assigned ball number 15 should they advance past Bradford City.
16 teams will compete in the 4th round and here is who, should they get there, Newcastle could face:
- Grimsby Town
- Brentford
- Crystal Palace
- Swansea City
- Barnsley or Brighton & Hove Albion
- Burnley or Cardiff City
- Fulham or Cambridge United
- Lincoln City or Chelsea
- Wigan Athletic or Wycombe Wanderers
- Wolverhampton Wanderers or Everton
- Wrexham or Reading
- Liverpool or Southampton
- Huddersfield Town or Manchester City
- Tottenham Hotspur or Doncaster Rovers
- Newcastle United or Bradford City
- Port Vale or Arsenal
When is the Carabao Cup fourth round played?
The Carabao Cup 4th round fixtures are pencilled in for the week commencing Monday, October 27, 2025.
The games will almost certainly be played on Tuesday, October 28, or Wednesday, October 29, but the exact dates won’t be confirmed until the draw is finalised.
If Newcastle make it to the fourth round, their tie will come between a home Premier League fixture against Fulham and a trip to London to face West Ham.
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