Stoke City vs Bradford City Carabao Cup Commentary and Broadcast Guide – 26 August 2025

On Tuesday 26 August 2025 at 19:45 UK time, Stoke City will host Bradford City in the English League Cup second round at Bet365 Stadium. For British football fans eager to keep up with every moment live, there are multiple radio broadcast options available, led by trusted voices from the BBC and talkSPORT.

BBC Radio 5 Live will carry national radio commentary, featuring reporter Lee Blakeman providing live updates from the stadium. Known for his insightful analysis and extensive football reporting experience, Blakeman is a respected figure in the broadcasting circuit, often covering key English football fixtures.

Locally tuned broadcasts are available through BBC Radio Leeds, particularly on DAB Bradford, for a Bradford-centric perspective. The coverage is hosted by presenter Louis Reynolds, with Jamie Raynor on main commentary duties and Gary Jones providing co-commentary. Jamie Raynor is a seasoned football commentator with a reputation for clear, engaging descriptions, while Gary Jones brings expert analysis to the fold, drawing on his playing career and coaching background.

Similarly, BBC Radio Stoke offers dedicated local coverage with presenter Lucas Yeomans. Mark Elliott takes the role of main commentator, supported by co-commentator Danny Pugh. Elliott's vivid play-by-play style captures the essential tempo of the game, complemented by Pugh's incisive tactical insights; Pugh himself is a former professional footballer with vast Championship and League One experience, enriching commentary with firsthand knowledge.

For fans who prefer commercial sports radio, talkSPORT broadcasts the match with reporter Geoff Peters providing live reports. Peters has a long history of sports journalism, known for energetic and engaging coverage of football fixtures across the UK.

The match itself pits Championship side Stoke City, performing strongly with recent wins over Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday, against League One outfit Bradford City, who have also been competitive this season, highlighted by wins against Stockport and Luton. This EFL Cup tie is an early knockout round, with a place in the third round and potential European competition on the line. Newcastle, the current holders after their awe-inspiring victory over Liverpool last season, set the competitive standard in this knockout tournament played at iconic venues such as Wembley Stadium for the final.

For more information about the Stoke City squad and current form, fans can visit the official Stoke City website. Facts and statistics for Bradford City are available at Bradford City’s official page. For detailed competition rules, fixtures, and broader EFL Cup coverage, the English Football League official site has comprehensive resources.