England: a competition with 16 U21 teams from the Premier League & 16 clubs from the National League

The Premier League and National League are creating the National League Cup, a midweek competition between 16 National League clubs and 16 Premier League U21 teams, announced the two bodies on 19/09/2024.

The competition, which will kick off in October 2024, "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 matches will take place at the stadiums of National League clubs, which will receive all matchday revenues. A total of £1m (€1.19m) has also been earmarked for the National League clubs alone. This will be paid out in full by the Premier League.

The National League Cup will consist of four groups of eight, with the top two progressing to the knockout phase from the quarter-finals until the final, scheduled for 01 or 02/04/2025.

National League Cup: competition dates in 2024-25

Group stage

• Matchday 1: 01 and 02/10/2024
• Matchday 2: 05 and 06/11/2024
• Matchday 3: 03 and 04/12/2024
• Matchday 4 and final matchday: 21 and 22/01/2025