Birmingham City among 13 EFL clubs to wear special badge in Carabao Cup including Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town

Add as preferred source on Google

The first round of the Carabao Cup is set to kick off once again with EFL clubs throughout the three divisions taking part in it just days after the 2025/26 Championship kicked off.

Clubs in League One and League Two have had the luxury of playing a game more than those in the Championship, as their divisions began a week earlier than the second tier.

There will be 24 clubs in the Carabao Cup that will have the honour of wearing a special badge to commemorate their previous titles in the competition, with 13 of those clubs currently competing in the EFL.

One of those clubs is Birmingham City, who won the competition twice, with their most recent success in 2011, the same season they were relegated from the Premier League, a division they have failed to return to since.

EFL Analysis brings you the 13 EFL clubs that have won the Carabao Cup and how many successes they have had.

• READ MORE: Three Championship clubs who will be going all out in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup, including former winners

Leicester City – 3

The Foxes are currently the most successful EFL club in the competition this campaign, having had the honour of lifting the trophy on three occasions.

Their first success in the competition came in 1964 when Leicester City beat Stoke City under the stewardship of Matt Gillies.

Their second success came in 1997 when they beat Middlesbrough in the final, this time with Martin O’Neill in charge of the club.

Martin O’Neill would guide them to success again in 2000, when they beat Tranmere Rovers in the final of the competition.

Norwich City – 2

The Canaries have won the EFL Cup on two occasions, with the most recent being in 1985 when they beat Sunderland 1-0 in the final.

Norwich City claimed their first title in 1962 across two legs over Rochdale on a scoreline of 4-0, as they appeared comfortable in their victory.

The club did reach two further finals, both in the 1970s; however, they would become unstuck first against Tottenham Hotspur in 1973 and then Aston Villa in 1975.

• READ MORE: Norwich City player says this change is needed to get the best from their ‘invaluable’ star

Birmingham City – 2

As mentioned, their most recent success came in 2011, with this game being fondly remembered by Birmingham City fans and likely holding a place in most Arsenal fans’ memories, as it was arguably the greatest upset in the competition.

Birmingham City’s first success came in 1963 when they beat their Second City rivals Aston Villa in the final.

The Blues did reach another final in 2001, which they lost to Liverpool in the season they won a treble of cup competitions.

West Brom – 1

West Brom would only claim the competition on one occasion, in a golden period for the club through the 1960s.

The Baggies lifted their only title in 1966, beating West Ham in the final 5-3 on aggregate across two legs.

West Brom would reach the final the following year to defend their title, but they would be unable to defeat QPR in the final.

They would go on to lift the FA Cup in 1968 before reaching another EFL Cup final in 1970; however, they would lose to Manchester City.

Middlesbrough – 1

The only title that Middlesbrough would win came in 2004 when they managed to beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in the final, under the leadership of Steve McClaren.

This cup victory allowed for arguably the most enjoyable season of Middlesbrough’s 21st-century history as they embarked on a UEFA Cup campaign as they reached the Round of 16 before losing to Sporting CP.

Middlesbrough did reach the final on two other occasions in consecutive years, 1997 and 1998, when they lost to Leicester City and Chelsea, respectively.

• READ MORE: Rav van den Berg transfer saga comes to an end as Middlesbrough agree £11.2m deal for star man

QPR – 1

QPR have won the competition on one occasion when they managed to beat West Brom in the final at Wembley, winning 3-2 in 1967.

It is the only major trophy that QPR have ever won and is fondly remembered by fans of the club.

They would reach another final in 1986, losing to Oxford United at Wembley in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.

Stoke City – 1

The Potters claimed their sole EFL success in 1972, with Tony Waddington guiding the club to a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Terry Conroy and George Eastham would grab the two goals in the victory, with Peter Osgood’s goal not enough for Chelsea.

Stoke City did reach the final on another occasion in 1964 when they lost to Leicester City.

Luton Town – 1

Luton Town would win the EFL Cup on only one occasion, when they beat Arsenal in the final.

It would be an incredible final for the Hatters, as they won 3-2 against a strong Arsenal team, coming from 2-1 down with only eight minutes left to win with the winner coming in the final minute through Brian Stein.

Luton would attempt to defend their title the following year; however, Nottingham Forest would prove too strong and claim the trophy.

• READ MORE: Luton Town join exclusive club in League One for unwanted reason, promotion is a must

Sheffield Wednesday – 1

The last team in this list to reach the final on more than one occasion, with the Owls lifting the trophy in 1991 when they managed to beat Manchester United in the final.

Only the one goal was needed to beat Manchester United that day, as John Joseph Sheridan scored it to win 1-0.

Two years later Sheffield Wednesday would be in the final again; however, they would lose to Arsenal.

Swindon Town – 1

Currently the lowest ranked team on this list, as they are the only club to be competing in League Two from all the victors.

Swindon Town claimed their success in 1969 when they managed to beat Arsenal in the final on a scoreline of 3-1, winning the match in extra time.

It is the only major domestic trophy the club have won but not the only major trophy, claiming the Anglo-Italian League Cup in the same year and then in 1970 claiming the Anglo-Italian Cup.

Oxford United – 1

Oxford United claimed the EFL Cup on only one occasion, when they managed to beat QPR in the 1986 final at Wembley.

It was a comprehensive victory as they emerged as 3-0 winners over their opponents.

Similar to some clubs on this list, it is the only major domestic silverware Oxford have ever won.

Blackburn Rovers – 1

Blackburn Rovers claimed their sole EFL Cup win in 2002 under Graeme Souness as they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final.

This at the time was viewed as a bit of a renaissance victory, as Blackburn had been through a wild few years after winning the Premier League in 1995, suffering relegations and promotions through the rest of the 1990s before Souness turned them into a solid top-flight outfit.

Andy Cole scored their winner as they won 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

• READ MORE: Transfer rule could see Blackburn Rovers miss out on ex-Birmingham City striker after what happened this weekend

Swansea City – 1

The only Welsh club to have won the EFL Cup and the most recent success on this list, as Swansea City waltzed to the title in 2013.

Michael Laudrup guided the Swans to the title in 2013 when they were a regular Premier League outfit, winning the final 5-0 over Bradford City.

Swansea City would enjoy a European campaign the following season, where they would reach the Round of 32 before being eliminated by Napoli.