The English Football League campaign for 2026-27 has not officially kicked off, but the League Cup is already in full swing, with a packed schedule of first-round ties taking place across the country on Saturday. Among the standout fixtures is West Ham United's home clash against Portsmouth, alongside Burnley's meeting with Notts County and a host of other matches involving clubs from the Championship down to League Two.
According to West Ham's official club website, the tie against Portsmouth is being staged at the London Stadium. Live score data cited by Sky Sports showed the match locked at 0-0 as it got underway, confirming the fixture was in progress. The game kicked off at 3pm, and was available to viewers via Sky Sports+ and the broadcaster's app and website, as detailed in a preview from Radio Times.
Why is West Ham playing in the League Cup's opening round?
West Ham's participation in this early stage of the competition stems directly from their relegation from the Premier League last season. A report on the first-round draw from Sky Sports explained that the club's drop down a division meant they were entered into the draw alongside sides from the Championship, League One and League Two, resulting in their pairing against Portsmouth.
What else is happening across the first round?
The West Ham fixture was one of several ties singled out for live television coverage over the opening round weekend. Per the same Sky Sports report, matches involving Wolves, Burnley and Wrexham were also broadcast live as part of the opening round's coverage, which ran across three days from August 9 to August 11.
Elsewhere on Saturday's card, Burnley host Notts County, while a full slate of matches features AFC Wimbledon against Newport, Barnsley versus Wigan, Bradford taking on Rochdale, and Bristol Rovers meeting Peterborough. Further fixtures include Bromley against Reading, Burton facing Blackburn, and an early 1pm kick-off between Cambridge and Barnet. Cardiff host Swindon, Crewe face Accrington, and Derby welcome Lincoln, while Fleetwood take on Chesterfield and Gillingham host Luton.
The card continues with Grimsby against Blackpool, Leicester versus Northampton, and Leyton Orient hosting Oxford. Norwich face MK Dons, Preston take on Huddersfield, and QPR host Millwall in a 2pm kick-off. Salford meet Shrewsbury, Sheffield Wednesday face Bolton, and Stockport play Doncaster. Rounding out the day, Stoke host Oldham, Swansea take on Birmingham, and Watford face Crawley.
Wrexham's involvement in this season's competition follows their own first-round tie away at Middlesbrough, where goalkeepers Brynn and Ward were both tested in a closely fought opening period at the Riverside, according to earlier coverage of that fixture.
What happens next in the competition?
The remaining first-round fixtures are being played across August 9, 10 and 11, with clubs across the EFL pyramid completing their opening ties over the weekend. The League Cup then moves into its second round in the week commencing August 24, according to Sky Sports' draw coverage, when winners from this stage will discover their next opponents.
Key Facts
- West Ham hosted Portsmouth at the London Stadium in a 3pm Carabao Cup first-round kick-off.
- The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports+ and the broadcaster's app and website.
- West Ham's entry into this early round follows their relegation from the Premier League.
- Burnley faced Notts County among a wider set of first-round fixtures played on Saturday.
- The competition's second round begins in the week commencing August 24, 2026.
