Burnley will face Bradford City at Valley Parade in the Carabao Cup second round, marking their first competitive meeting since 2004. The Clarets, who finished 19th in the Premier League last season with 22 points (4W-10D-24L), will look to bounce back after a tough campaign where they scored 38 goals and conceded 75, ending 63 points behind leaders Arsenal. The match is set for the week beginning August 24, 2026.
The last time Burnley and Bradford City met in a competitive fixture was in March 2004, when Ian Thomas-Moore scored a late winner for the Clarets. Since then, the teams have only faced each other in pre-season friendlies. Graham Alexander, now Bradford City’s manager, played 178 games for Burnley, including Premier League matches at the age of 37.
For Bradford City, hosting Burnley is a chance to test themselves against Premier League opposition. Alexander, who played for Burnley, sees it as an opportunity to bring top-tier football back to Valley Parade. The Bantams recently defeated Rochdale 2-0 and hope to carry that momentum into the Carabao Cup.
After a challenging 2025 season, Burnley will aim to improve in the new campaign. Their recent form (DDDDL) suggests they need to find consistency. The Carabao Cup could provide a fresh start, but they’ll face a determined Bradford City side eager to make an impact.
