The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English (England) football (football (soccer)) competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout (single elimination) basis. Unlike the FA Cup where 762 teams entered in 2008-09 (2008-09 FA Cup) only 92 clubs can enter?the 20 clubs of the Premier League, and the 72 clubs of The Football League, which organises the competition. Also unlike the FA Cup, the semi-finals are played over two legs. The winners qualify for the UEFA Europa League, if they have not qualified for European competition through the Premier League or by winning the FA Cup. If this occurs, then the Europa League berth goes to the highest-placed team from the Premier League not already qualified for Europe. Manchester United (Manchester United F.C.) are the current holders.

Since 1982, the League Cup has been named after its sponsor, giving it the following names:

* Milk Cup (1981 to 1986), sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board * Littlewoods Challenge Cup (1986 to 1990), sponsored by Littlewoods * Rumbelows Cup (1990 to 1992), sponsored by Rumbelows * Coca-Cola Cup (1992 to 1998), sponsored by Coca-Cola * Worthington Cup (1998 to 2003), sponsored by Worthington Draught bitter * Carling Cup (2003 to present), sponsored by Carling

The League Cup is seen by some larger clubs as a lower priority than other competitions. Arguably, it reached a low point over the turn of the millennium when it was commonly nicknamed the Worthless Cup. Some clubs have made a point of fielding a weaker side in the competition, making the opportunity for giant-killing of the larger clubs more likely. Many of the top English sides, Arsenal (Arsenal F.C.) and Manchester United (Manchester United F.C.) in particular, have used the competition to give young players valuable big-game experience. However, in response to Ars�ne Wengers (Ars�ne Wenger) claim that a League Cup win would not end his trophy drought, Alex Ferguson described the trophy as a pot worth winning.

The womens game (Womens football in England) has its own League Cup (FA Womens Premier League Cup), which is open to the 36 womens clubs in the three divisions of the FA Womens Premier League, although the womens competition is governed by The FA (The Football Association) and not The Football League.