Hill Dickinson Stadium will not have to wait long for its second spotlight moment, as just days after the opener against Brighton on August 24, the new ground will have the chance for another moment in its history: hosting its first cup match.
Everton will host League One side Mansfield Town during the week of August 25, likely closer to the end of the week due to the Sunday afternoon kickoff at Hill Dickinson in the Premier League. The exact date will come in the days to come.
The Carabao Cup, more commonly known as the EFL League Cup, is played between the clubs in the top four leagues in England (the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two), in contrast to the FA Cup, which is a competition open to an even larger swath of clubs throughout the country.
The Preliminary Round and Round One have already been played, with the Premier League teams entering at this second round juncture. There are three more rounds, followed by a two-legged semifinal, and a single elimination final to be played on March 22, 2026.
The League Cup began in 1960, with the first final match taking place between Rotherham and Millmoor. Usual suspects like Liverpool (10), Manchester City (8), and Manchester United (6) lead the competition in all time trophy wins.
For Everton, this is a competition the club has never won, although the Toffees have been to the final twice (1977 against Aston Villa and 1984 against Liverpool), and the semifinal three other times (1988 against Arsenal, 2008 against Chelsea, and 2016 against Manchester City).
They'll have a chance to get off to a good start in the competition with the opener at Hill Dickinson, hopefully seeking a second straight victory at the club's new home.