The Premier League and the National League recently launched a new competition for first teams of National League clubs and Premier League 2 sides.
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, which begins in October, 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.
Derby County’s Under-21s will compete in the inaugural competition and will take part in Group A, accepting the Premier League’s invitation following Reading’s withdrawal.
Jake Buxton’s side are joined by fellow Premier League 2 sides Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Southampton, and will face National League sides Aldershot Town, Maidenhead United, Wealdstone and Woking as a result.
What's the competition's format?
The National League Cup is a 32-team midweek competition, comprising 16 under-21 teams participating in Premier League 2, and 16 first teams from clubs participating in the National League.
The competition will consist of a group stage (four groups of eight), with the two best-placed teams in each group advancing to a knockout stage to determine the winner.
Tony Scholes, Chief Football Officer at the Premier League, said: “We’re excited to launch this new competition in partnership with the National League. The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under 17-21 age groups to gain valuable experience of playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development. We’re pleased to be able to support in the operation of the competition and look forward to seeing the wider benefits it will bring to National League clubs.”
Mark Ives, General Manager at the National League said: “This new competition presents another exciting chapter in our partnership with the Premier League. Our sides will have a great opportunity to compete against some of the best Academy Players in the country. We’re excited to be working closer with the Premier League on the operational side of the new competition and look forward to continuing our valued partnership further.”
Further information
The combined prize fund for the competition is £1million, provided by the Premier League. Prize money will be distributed only to National League clubs.
The competition becomes a component of the Elite Player Performance Plan, which has seen over £2billion of investment into Premier League and EFL academies over the last decade, with the aim of producing more and better homegrown players.
Players within the Professional Development Phase (under-17 to under-21) compete in a range of competitions including Premier League 2, the Under-18 Premier League, the Premier League International Cup and the EFL Trophy.
When does the competition take place?
Group stage (subject to change)
Match round 1: 1-2 October 2024
Match round 2: 5-6 November 2024
Match round 3: 3-4 December 2024
Match round 4: 21-22 January 2025
Knockout rounds (subject to change)
Quarter-finals: 5-6 February 2025
Semi-finals: 11-12 March 2025
Final: 1-2 April 2025
Derby County Under-21s Match Dates (subject to change)
Aldershot Town Vs Derby County Under-21s
Tuesday 15th October 2024
7pm kick-off
Maidenhead United Vs Derby County Under-21s
Tuesday 5th November 2024
7:30pm kick-off
Wealdstone Vs Derby County Under-21s
Tuesday 3rd December 2024
7:30pm kick-off
Woking Vs Derby County Under-21s
Tuesday 7th January 2025
7pm kick-off