Premier League 2 is a competition that replaced the Under-21 Premier League from 2016/17, with a greater focus on technicality, physicality and intensity to bring players as close as possible to first-team experience.
It is part of a suite of competitions that aims to best prepare players to make the transition to senior football. This includes a variety of domestic cup competitions, matches involving senior opposition (such as through the EFL Trophy) and competitions against international peers which will return for the 2022/23 season in expanded formats, following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The age group for players from the 2022/23 season is Under-21, changing from Under-23 as a reflection of the reality of the age of players in the competition, where the current average is 19.
The change comes as part of an ongoing review of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) to better align with the EFL Trophy and international competitions.
The league is formed of two tiers, with 14 teams in Division 1 and 11 sides in Division 2, and the factor of promotion and relegation.
The 25 clubs who compete each applied for "Category One" status in the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). There are 18 clubs from the Premier League, six from the Championship and one from League One.
All players born after 1 January 2001 are eligible to play in the 2022/23 season. The format is as follows:
2021/22 Manchester City
2020/21 Manchester City
2019/20 Chelsea
2018/19 Everton
2017/18 Arsenal
2016/17 Everton
2015/16 Manchester United
2014/15 Manchester United
2013/14 Chelsea
2012/13 Manchester United
2021/22 Fulham
2020/21 Leeds United
2019/20 West Ham United
2018/19 Wolverhampton Wanderers
2017/18 Blackburn Rovers
2016/17 Swansea City
2015/16 Derby County
2014/15 Middlesbrough