How does the EFL Trophy work?

Our under-21s will be competing in the EFL Trophy once again in the 2026/27 season, starting with our first competitive game of the season against Barnet on Tuesday, August 18.

The competition features the 48 sides from League One and League Two, as well as the under-21s sides of 16 Premier League clubs.

Each of the 16 groups features three EFL sides and one Premier League academy sides; as well as Barnet, we'll face Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon in this season's group stage.

As a Premier League academy side, all three of our group fixtures are played away from home. After travelling to The Hive next week, we'll be at the BetWright Stadium to face Leyton Orient on September 15 before facing Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on October 27.

If there is a winner after each 90-minute group match, the usual three points for a win and none for a loss apply. If a game finishes level, the sides are awarded a point each before contesting a penalty shoot-out for a bonus second point.

At the end of the group stages, the top two sides in each group progress to the round of 32, with group winners seeded and playing at home against runners-up in the first knockout round.

From this point, the competition is a straight knockout, with regionalised draws splitting the north and south sections right up to the semi-finals. As ever, the final will take place at Wembley Stadium, with this year's edition set for Sunday, April 11.