The draw has been made for the group stages of the 2025/26 National League Cup.
What is the National League Cup?
The competition is for National League clubs and Premier League 2 (PL2) teams and is entering its second season after a successful debut.
The National League Cup is designed to give young players from Premier League and EFL clubs additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition, with the aim of further aiding elite player development.
The competition also offers an opportunity for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums, with this additional exposure intended to improve the playing and spectator experience, as well as the clubs’ growth and sustainability.
National League clubs will also keep all gate receipts from these fixtures.
How does it play out?
As with last season, there will be 32 teams, 16 from the National League and 16 PL2 Under-21 teams, competing across four groups of eight.
Each National League team will play four midweek fixtures against each of the PL2 sides in their group, with the top two in each group progressing to the quarter-finals.
Who are the defending champions?
Last season, Leeds United’s U21s were the inaugural National League Cup champions, edging past Sutton United in the final in front of 3,062 fans at Sutton's VBS Community Stadium.
They have been drawn into Group D, alongside Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Boston United, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead and Scunthorpe United.
Fixtures will start in August.
2025/26 National League Cup groups (PL2 teams first)
Group A: Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Everton, Manchester United, Morecambe,
Rochdale, Solihull Moors, Tamworth.
Group B: Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Braintree Town, Brackley Town, Forest Green Rovers, Wealdstone.
Group C: Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Southampton, West Ham United, Aldershot Town, Sutton United, Truro City, Woking.
Group D: Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Boston United, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead, Scunthorpe United.