YORK CITY will host Crawley in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup - in their first competitive game back as an English Football League club in 2026-27.

Should the Minstermen progress, they will be placed in the southern section in the opening round of the competition in August. Match details for York's tie with Crawley will be confirmed at a later date.

Four clubs - York and fellow northern teams Tranmere and Rochdale alongside Crawley - were involved in the preliminary round draw.

It involved clubs who finished in 21st and 22nd positions in last season’s League Two, alongside two newly-promoted National League sides.

York City manager Stuart Maynard. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — York City manager Stuart Maynard. Photo: Tony Johnson.

The extra draw was required due to the fact that nine Premier League clubs will take part in European competitions next season following Crystal Palace’s victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League final.

With top-flight teams competing in Europe entering the Carabao Cup at round three, a preliminary round has been arranged to ensure that a total of 32 teams are in the pot at that third-round stage – nine clubs involved in Europe alongside 23 second-round winners.

Last season’s competition also required a preliminary round. But due to the more obvious north-south split of the four clubs involved - Accrington, Oldham, Newport and Barnet - no draw was required.

The first-round draw for the 26-27 competition will take place on fixture release day – June 25. Round one ties will be staged from August 7-9. The regionalised sections of the draw will be re-adjusted ahead of round two.