Carabao Cup final rules explained: VAR, extra-time, penalties and substitutes

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Need to know

The rules for the Carabao Cup have changed as the tournament has progressed all the way to Sunday's final at Wembley between Arsenal and Manchester City

There will be VAR at Wembley(Image: Getty Images)

All you need to know about the Carabao Cup final rules

1. Extra-time reintroduction: During the early rounds, draws went straight to penalties. But the final requires 30 minutes of extra time if the score is level after 90 minutes.
2. Penalty shootout format: If the teams remain deadlocked after 120 minutes, the winner is determined by a standard penalty shootout. The "ABBA" format trialled in previous years has been abandoned, reverting to the traditional alternating sequence.
3. VAR implementation: VAR is fully operational for the final to assist the on-field officials with clear and obvious errors. While it is often absent in earlier rounds to maintain "fairness" for non-Premier League clubs, it is a staple of the Wembley final.
4. Referee announcements: In a newer protocol, referees may use the stadium's public address system to explain VAR decisions to the fans in attendance. This aims to provide more clarity on reviews involving goals, red cards or mistaken identity.
5. Substitution limits: Each team can name nine substitutes on the bench but can only use five during the initial 90 minutes. These changes must be made within three opportunities, though half-time does not count as one of these windows.
6. The sixth substitute: Should the match go to extra time, both teams are permitted one further substitution, increasing their total allowance to six. Any unused substitutions from the standard 90 minutes can also be carried forward into the additional period.
7. Trophy lift: The victorious captain leads the squad up the iconic Wembley steps to the Royal Box to collect the three-handled trophy. Following the distribution of medals, the "lift" takes place on the balcony overlooking the pitch before being brought down to a pitch-side podium.
8. Ownership of the cup: The victorious club is permitted to retain the physical trophy for one year to display in their cabinet but must return it prior to the following year's final. They are typically provided with a full-size replica to keep permanently as a record of their triumph.
9. READ MORE: Seven pundits predict Man City vs Arsenal in Carabao Cup final and one side has the edge