Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Luton Town won the EFL Trophy for the second time in their history in 2025-2026
- Published32 minutes ago
Vertu Trophy holders Luton Town have been drawn with Ipswich Town U21s, Colchester United and Peterborough United, who became the first side to defend the trophy in 2025.
Luton themselves overcame fellow 'Hatters' Stockport County 3-1 at Wembley in last season's final.
Sheffield Wednesday, under new ownership, are back in the competition after two seasons in the Championship.
Henrik Pedersen's side are in the same group as Sunderland U21s, Salford and Accrington Stanley.
Relegated Oxford United will face Tottenham Hotspur U21s, Cheltenham, and Exeter City.
The third relegated Championship team, Leicester City, will compete in this competition for the first time since their last spell in the third tier in 2008-2009.
New Foxes boss Russell Martin will see his side up against Fulham U21s, Stevenage and Walsall.
York City, who returned to the English Football League as National League champions, will face Newcastle United U21s, Bradford City and Rotherham.
National League play-off winners Rochdale are rewarded with matches against Liverpool U21s, Huddersfield and Doncaster Rovers.
The 64 clubs have been split into groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the knockout phase.
Manchester City U21s are in a group with Port Vale, Chesterfield and Mansfield.
Manchester United withdrew from this season's EFL Trophy and National League Cup earlier this week.
Leicester start League One season at Notts County
- Published4 hours ago
York host Bristol Rovers and Rochdale visit Newport
- Published4 hours ago
Northern section
Group A: Sheffield Wednesday, Salford, Accrington, Sunderland U21
Group B: Blackpool, Wigan, Crewe, Aston Villa U21
Group C: Bradford, York, Rotherham, Newcastle U21
Group D: Mansfield, Chesterfield, Port Vale, Man City U21
Group E: Stockport, Tranmere, Shrewsbury, Everton U21
Group F: Burton, Notts County, Grimsby, Nottingham Forest U21
Group G: Barnsley, Oldham, Fleetwood, Leeds U21
Group H: Huddersfield, Doncaster Rovers, Rochdale, Liverpool U21
Southern section
Group A: Oxford Utd, Exeter, Cheltenham, Tottenham Hotspur U21
Group B: Leicester City, Stevenage, Walsall, Fulham U21
Group C: Reading, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe, Chelsea U21
Group D: Luton, Peterborough, Colchester Utd, Ipswich Town U21
Group E: Plymouth, Swindon, Newport County, Crystal Palace U21
Group F: AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, Barnet, Arsenal U21
Group G: Cambridge Utd, Gillingham, Northampton, Brighton U21
Group H: Bromley, Crawley, MK Dons, Brentford U21
Related topics
Follow your club with BBC Sport
- Published8 June
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
- Published8 June
