Analytical applications of chemiluminescence detection systems assisted by carbon nanostructures (CNSs- CL) have attracted the attention of chemists over the past years. This article reviews the literature on the analytical applications of CNSs-CL systems, in which CNSs play important roles (e.g., light emitters, catalysers, biolabels and recognition elements) in further extension and improvement of the analytical applicability of CL systems. Each section of the paper addresses one member of the CNSs participating in CL systems, starting with a description of its chemical structures and properties.