The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League.

[2] A total of 50 teams played in the second round: the 13 Premier League clubs not involved in European competitions and the two best-ranked EFL Championship clubs (Luton Town and Burnley) entered at this stage along with the 35 winners from the first round.

[3] A total of 32 teams played in the third round: the seven Premier League clubs involved in European competitions (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur) entered at this stage along with the 25 winners from the second round.

The draw was made on 28 August 2024 by Michael Dawson and Les Ferdinand, where conditions were implemented to ensure clubs participating in the UEFA Champions League did not draw clubs participating in the UEFA Europa League due to fixture clashes.

Championship sides Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City were the lowest-ranked teams in the draw, which was made on 25 September 2024 by Jamie Redknapp and Kevin Nolan.