Post
Post
The English League Cup draw takes centre stage on Sky Sports Football HD, Sky Sports Main Event HD and Sky Sports Main Event UHD at 22:20 UK time on 16 September 2026, with Pien Meulensteen leading the presentation team alongside Jamie Redknapp and Ashley Young. For British viewers, the draw will be part of Sky Sports’ live evening coverage, with the broadcaster once again handling one of the domestic game’s key cup occasions.
Pien Meulensteen has become one of Sky Sports’ most recognisable newer presenting voices. In 2023 she made history as the first woman to provide live commentary on a Premier League match for Sky Sports, before expanding her role across the channel’s football output, including presenting duties and wider broadcast work across the game[1][2]. Her rise has been notable for its speed and versatility, moving from commentary into studio presenting while earning a reputation for clear, composed live coverage[1][2].
Joining her is Jamie Redknapp, one of Sky Sports’ long-standing pundits. A former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and England midfielder, Redknapp has been a familiar face in football broadcasting for many years and is known for his regular studio analysis on Sky’s major match coverage[4]. His playing background gives him a sharp tactical perspective, particularly on the rhythm of cup football, where squad depth and momentum often decide the outcome.
Ashley Young brings a different kind of authority to the panel. The former England international, who played for clubs including Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Inter, is among the more recent additions to Sky Sports’ pundit line-up[3][6][13]. Young’s career has been defined by adaptability, having successfully operated as both a winger and full-back across a long professional career, and he has also won major honours including the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and EFL Cup[10]. His experience of winning domestic silverware should make him particularly insightful when discussing the draw and what a favourable route might look like for the remaining clubs.
The English League Cup, also known as the EFL Cup for sponsorship reasons, remains one of the most watched draws in the British football calendar because it can quickly reshape the early-season landscape. Clubs still competing in Europe often see the competition as a chance to rotate, while others view it as a realistic route to Wembley and a major trophy. That balance of opportunity and urgency is what makes live draw coverage on Sky Sports such a staple for football fans across the UK.
Sky Sports’ continued commitment to live draw programming reflects the competition’s standing in the British game, and the channel’s mix of presenter, ex-player punditry and commentary remains central to its football offering[2][7]. Meulensteen’s modern broadcasting profile, Redknapp’s experience as a seasoned studio analyst and Young’s recent elite-level playing background combine to give the show a strong mix of insight and authority[1][4][10].
For viewers tuning in, the appeal is simple: the draw determines the next stage of the competition, while the studio team provides the narrative, reaction and early talking points that follow. With Sky Sports Football HD, Sky Sports Main Event HD and Sky Sports Main Event UHD carrying the programme, British fans have a straightforward way to follow the evening’s developments live as the road through the English League Cup takes shape.
More on the competition can be found via the EFL Cup.
Article generated: 16 September 2026, 22:20 GMT