What do you get for winning EFL Cup?

"The winners of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup will guarantee themselves a place in the play-off qualifying round for next season's Conference League. In previous years, winning the competition earned a qualifying place for the Europa League rather than a spot in the last Conference League qualifying round. This changed following the launch of the Conference League at the start of the 2021-22 season."

"While an EFL Cup success does guarantee European football for the following season, in recent times, it has made little difference. Since the 2013-14 season, every winner of the competition went on to earn a better European qualification spot in either the Champions League or Europa League due to their Premier finish that term. Swansea City, the 2012-13 EFL Cup winners, were the last team to qualify for Europe solely by winning that competition."

"In that instance, which could be repeated season, the next best-ranked team after the Champions League places and Europa League place is given the Conference League qualification. That officially is sixth place. However, England are on course to earn an extra place in next season's Champions League via the performance of English clubs in European competitions this season. Therefore, that would mean seventh place gets the Conference League spot. There is also a scenario where the FA Cup winner has already qualified for Europe."

The 2025-26 Carabao Cup winner will be guaranteed a place in the play-off qualifying round for the following season's UEFA Conference League. Prior to the Conference League's introduction in 2021-22, EFL Cup winners earned Europa League qualifying places. Now the Europa League spot goes to the FA Cup winner and the highest-placed Premier League side not in the Champions League secures other European slots. Historically EFL Cup winners have qualified for higher European competitions via league position; Swansea City (2012-13) were the last to qualify solely through the cup. Depending on England's UEFA allocation and winners' status, the Conference League berth could fall to sixth, seventh or even eighth place. EFL Cup winners receive £100,000 plus at least €925,000 for Conference League participation.

Read at www.bbc.com