Stamford Bridge is under the lights again. If you’re trying to figure out what time is the chelsea match on today, you aren't alone—the Carabao Cup schedule can be a bit of a maze compared to the standard Saturday afternoon Premier League routine. Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Chelsea hosts Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals. It’s a massive London derby with a trip to Wembley on the line, and honestly, the atmosphere in West London is going to be electric.
The short version? Kick-off is at 8:00 PM GMT.
If you are tuning in from outside the UK, the timing shifts a bit. For fans in the United States, that’s a mid-afternoon start at 3:00 PM ET or 12:00 PM PT. In India, you’re looking at a late-night session starting at 1:30 AM IST on Thursday morning.
What Time Is the Chelsea Match On Today?
The Carabao Cup semi-final first leg is the main event. Unlike the earlier rounds of the tournament that often get buried on Tuesday nights, these semi-finals take center stage on Wednesday. Chelsea comes into this off the back of a confidence-boosting 5-1 win against Charlton in the FA Cup, but domestic cup form is a different beast when Arsenal is the visitor.
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Kick-off times across the globe:
- United Kingdom: 8:00 PM GMT
- United States (Eastern): 3:00 PM ET
- United States (Pacific): 12:00 PM PT
- Canada: 3:00 PM ET
- India: 1:30 AM IST (Thursday)
- Australia (Sydney/Melbourne): 7:00 AM AEDT (Thursday)
It's worth noting that the gates at Stamford Bridge usually open about two hours before the whistle. If you're lucky enough to have a ticket, get there early. Security has been tighter lately, and nobody wants to be stuck in a queue while the Liquidator is playing over the speakers.
TV Channels and Live Stream Options
Finding the right channel is sometimes harder than picking a starting XI. In the UK, Sky Sports has the exclusive rights for this one. You’ll want to flip to Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports Football. If you’ve ditched the satellite dish, the NOW app is your best bet for a day pass.
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In the US, the match isn't on traditional cable. You’ll need a Paramount+ subscription to catch the live stream. For Canadian fans, DAZN is the go-to platform. Down in India, FanCode has been handling the Carabao Cup rights lately, so check their app for the live broadcast.
Team News and What to Expect
Manager Liam Rosenior has some big calls to make. There’s a lot of chatter about whether Cole Palmer and Reece James will start or be preserved for the second leg. Rosenior mentioned in his pre-match presser that he was giving them "extra time" to prove their fitness. Basically, it’s a coin flip. Malo Gusto is also a doubt, which might leave the backline looking a bit makeshift against an Arsenal side that’s been scoring for fun lately.
Arsenal has their own headaches. William Saliba is reportedly a doubt, and Riccardo Calafiori is definitely out with a muscle injury. Mikel Arteta usually takes this competition seriously once it hits the semi-final stage, so don't expect a "weakened" Gunners side.
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Why This Match Matters
This isn't just another game. The Carabao Cup is often dismissed early on, but once you're in the final four, the narrative changes. For Chelsea, a trophy in 2026 would be a massive statement for the Rosenior era. For Arsenal, it’s a chance to assert dominance over their rivals after a somewhat shaky December.
The away goals rule doesn't apply in the Carabao Cup semi-finals anymore. If the scores are level after the second leg, it goes straight to extra time and then penalties. This means Chelsea doesn't necessarily have to panic if they concede tonight, but taking a lead to the Emirates in February is obviously the goal.
Key Match Details
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- VAR: Jarred Gillett
- Competition: Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) Semi-Final, 1st Leg
If you miss the live broadcast, highlights usually drop on the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel about an hour after the final whistle. The Chelsea official app also provides "The 5th Stand" coverage with live audio commentary if you're stuck at work or driving.
Double-check your streaming logins now. There's nothing worse than seeing a "forgot password" screen right as the teams are walking out of the tunnel.
Make sure your apps are updated, especially Paramount+ or Sky Go, as they tend to push mandatory updates right when you're in a hurry. If you are watching in the UK, keep an eye on Sky Sports Ultra HD for the best picture quality, assuming your TV setup supports it. For those in India or Australia, setting an alarm for those early morning hours is a must—this isn't a game you want to see via a score notification on your phone.