EFL Trophy (England) 2026/27

The EFL Trophy operates as a knockout competition for English professional football, bringing together senior sides and academy teams. Founded in 1983, it began life as the Associate Members' Cup before adopting its current title in 2016. The tournament sits below the FA Cup and the EFL Cup in prestige, yet its structure sets it apart from those competitions.

Participation is restricted to clubs from League One and League Two, alongside sixteen Under-21 squads from Premier League and Championship clubs. This blend of established professional teams and developing academy players creates a unique dynamic within English football. The 64 participants enter a group stage divided into sixteen regional pools of four, ensuring balanced geographical representation. Each group contains one academy side, meaning every senior club faces a young team during the preliminary phase.

Progression to the knockout rounds depends on finishing in the top two of the group. Matches in the group stage conclude with penalties if scores are level after ninety minutes, awarding two points to the winner and one to the loser. Knockout ties follow traditional rules, allowing extra time before a penalty shootout. The competition narrows through regionalized fixtures until the semi-finals, which feature open draws. The final is always held at Wembley Stadium, offering a prestigious stage for the winners.

The competition provides a valuable opportunity for lower-league clubs to compete on a national stage. It also offers young academy players a chance to gain experience against senior opposition. Bristol City and Peterborough United hold the record for the most victories, having each won the trophy three times. Luton Town claimed the title in the 2025/26 season after beating Stockport County 3–1 in the final.