EFL CUP FINAL 2026: Arsenal vs Manchester City tickets

2026 EFL Cup Final: Arsenal versus Manchester City

The 2026 Carabao Cup final occurs on Sunday 22 March at Wembley Stadium, starting 16:30 GMT. Arsenal are up against Manchester City in what could be one of the most thrilling domestic cup finals in recent times. Both teams are in a serious battle over top league title and take silverware for the first time this season on paper in the final match.

Arsenal enter the final as Premier League leaders, with 53 points at the top of the table and six points clear. They are also undefeated in the Champions League and remain in the FA Cup, making it an unprecedented quadruple for either. Manchester City, currently ranked second in the league with 47 points, will make it their business to stymie their rivals from capturing the prize and increasing the momentum of the title race.

Head-to-Head: Arsenal meets Manchester City

This is a game that has played out 213 times over time with Arsenal slightly ahead, winning 101 games while City have 65 plus 47 draws. But the recent record has been more competitive than the previous two years with the two have competed for Premier League titles.

The latest meeting at the Premier League came earlier this season, when, after Arsenal’s rout of City 5-1 in the Emirates Stadium, the teams’ win sent shockwaves through English football and branded the Gunners as serious contenders for a champion. City will seek vengeance on the Wembley stage.

Previous League Cup meetings

Arsenal and Manchester City have met once before in a League Cup final, at Wembley in February 2018. On that occasion, City dominated proceedings, winning 3-0 with goals from Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva. This was Pep Guardiola's first trophy at the club and began an unprecedented period of domestic success for City.

The clubs also met in the 2020 EFL Cup quarter-finals, where City won 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal would, therefore, be looking to avenge this loss and capture their first League Cup title since 1993.

Carabao Cup Pedigree

Arsenal’s experience at the League Cup

Arsenal’s two League Cup titles – in 1987 (beating Liverpool 2-1), and 1993 (defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1) – are the obvious exceptions. Yet the Gunners have also faced six final defeats, facing off with Birmingham City in 2011 and Manchester City in 2018. Getting that win would break a 33-year wait for the trophy and would be their ninth English premier cup final – Liverpool only have 15, Chelsea 10 and Manchester United 10 at that.

Manchester City's League Cup history

City are eight-time winners. Liverpool, the top ranked club, won four games in a row from 1981 to 1984. City under Pep Guardiola have been at the top of their game since but they haven't reached the final since their last win. A ninth crown would make them the third-most successful club in the history of the competition.

Key Players to Watch

Arsenal

Kai Havertz — the German forward has been Arsenal’s hero in this match with essential goal-scoring results, including the 97th-minute winner against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg. Former Chelsea player Havertz is the kind of player who has a habit of winning in critical times.

Bukayo Saka — England’s top winger has been in top shape this season with a combination of goals and assists. His quick pace and direct running will prove crucial against City’s defence.

William Saliba — The French defender has been at the centre of Arsenal's formidable defensive record, although he remains the strongest. City's attacking firepower will put his composure and reading of the game to the test.

Manchester City

Rayan Cherki — The young French playmaker is City’s star of this season’s match, scoring in three of their four rounds, including both semi-final legs. His technical ability and eye for goal make him a clear threat.

Antoine Semenyo — January signing Semenyo has also been a bang-up at City himself, scoring on his debut and netting the opening goal in the semi-final first leg against Newcastle. His pace and his energy have given City's attack a new dimension.

Erling Haaland — The Norwegian striker has been rested at times during the cup run. When the cup runs start and go, expect him to lead the line at Wembley. His record in finals and big games is telling.

Managers' Records

Mikel Arteta has reinvented Arsenal since his new role in December 2019. Though he was the FA Cup champion in his first season, domestic cup triumphs have since eluded him with semi-finals in 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. That’s his best shot at piling on to his trophy cabinet and silencing critics who doubt it — with a complaint that he won’t be able to win silverware.

Pep Guardiola has won the League Cup four times with Manchester City and made the cup final in three consecutive seasons. In contrast, City have not contested a final since 2021, and Guardiola wants to get out of that drought and bring back a winning image for everyone in charge.

Getting to Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium, which is one of the best-connected venues in the UK, is also the best way to gain access to the stadium by transport, and there are even better options across London.

By tube

Wembley Park Station (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines) is the nearest underground station, located only 10 minutes from the stadium. 12 minutes out of central London away on the Metropolitan rail, on Baker Street. The Jubilee line links major urban nodes, with links along Westminster, Bond Street and London Bridge to Canary Wharf in Central London.

Wembley Central Station (Bakerloo line and London Overground) is about 15 minutes from the stadium. It connects to Watford Junction, near to stadium.

By train

Wembley Stadium Station is the nearest station, run by Chiltern Railways, between London Marylebone (9 minutes). Direct services from Watford Junction, Milton Keynes and Birmingham via Southern Railways

By car

Meeting site on event days has to be booked prior to event day parking for your needs. It all starts from £40 for official stadium parking for that car. Stadium is reached by the M1, M40 and A406 North Circular. Be aware that Wembley is in London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), and any car that fails to comply with emissions regulations will have to pay £12.50 per day.

People traveling from outside London can also take advantage of the Stanmore tube station (Jubilee to Wembley) or Watford Junction for park-and-ride options.

By coach

The official coach provider UK for Wembley, National Express provides event services from a plethora of facilities.

Information about Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium seats 90,000 for football matches, the largest stadium in the UK, the second largest in Europe. The site is known for its famous Wembley Arch and also has great facilities across the board.

Gates are generally opened for big finals 2-3 hours prior to kick-off. Fans should arrive early to clear away queues and soak up any potential crowd in the pre-match atmosphere. The stadium has a strict bag allowance: bags larger than A4 are not allowed.

Where to Stay

Wembley Park has grown a great deal over the last 20 years, with the following accommodation options available from walk-to-the-stadium:

Hilton London Wembley – Just beside the stadium, overlooking the legendary arch

Novotel London Wembley – Contemporary hotel in the midst of Wembley Park

Holiday Inn Wembley – Budget spot near action

When do tickets go on sale?

Tickets to participate in the EFL Cup final are usually given to local groups. Arsenal and Manchester City will distribute tickets first so fans of season tickets can buy them; in addition, all others may be sold on a general basis. Check the official websites if tickets are available.

How many tickets does each club receive?

Each finalist typically receives an allocation of approximately 25,000-30,000 tickets, with the remainder going to sponsors, neutral fans and hospitality.

Are neutral tickets available?

However, the EFL will often provide a limited number of neutral tickets via the official channels. These sell out fast, so register your interest early.

What time should I arrive?

For a 16:30 kick-off we advise you to arrive at least 90 minutes before the match begins. That gives you time to wait for security checks and get to your seat, as well as take advantage of the pre-match build-up and team warm-up.

What's the atmosphere like?

League Cup finals at Wembley are a very famous place for an amazing atmosphere. With its two sets of ardent customers in high spirits and the storied stage a backdrop that offers a backdrop that is impressive and picturesque, the whole experience is sure to be one every football fan should find on their list of what they will visit.

Arsenal's Road to the 2026 EFL Cup Final

Third Round

24 September 2025

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Goals: Eze, Trossard

Fourth Round

29 October 2025

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Goals: Nwaneri, Saka

Quarter-Final

23 December 2025

Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace

Goal: Lacroix (OG) | Arsenal won 8-7 on penalties

Semi-Final

14 January 2026 – First Leg

Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal

Goals: White, Gyökeres, Havertz

3 February 2026 – Second Leg

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

Goal: Havertz (90+7') | Aggregate: 4-2

Manchester City's Road to the 2026 EFL Cup Final

Third Round

24 September 2025

Huddersfield 0-2 Manchester City

Goals: Foden, Savinho

Fourth Round

29 October 2025

Swansea 1-3 Manchester City

Goals: Doku, Marmoush, Cherki

Quarter-Final

17 December 2025

Manchester City 2-0 Brentford

Goals: Cherki, Savinho

Semi-Final

13 January 2026 – First Leg

Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City

Goals: Semenyo, Cherki (90+9')

4 February 2026 – Second Leg

Manchester City vs Newcastle (in progress)

Man City lead 2-0 from first leg