The second edition of the National League Cup is underway after being introduced in the 2024/25 campaign.
Comprising 16 clubs from the National League and 16 under-21 teams that compete in Premier League 2, the competition has been created as part of the Elite Player Performance Plan, which is aimed at improving the quality and volume of homegrown players.
The top 14 teams in last season's National League that were not promoted, along with the two teams relegated from League Two, were invited to take part.
Below is everything you need to know about the National League Cup.
National League Cup dates
The 2025/26 National League Cup started on the 13th August, and, while an official date hasn't yet been confirmed for the final, it's expected to take place on 17th or 18th March, 2025.
National League Cup teams
National League
- Aldershot Town
- Boreham Wood
- Boston United
- Brackley Town
- Braintree Town
- FC Halifax Town
- Forest Green Rovers
- Gateshead
- Rochdale
- Scunthorpe United
- Solihull Moors
- Sutton United
- Tamworth
- Truro City
- Wealdstone
- Woking
Premier League 2
- Blackburn Rovers
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Burnley
- Everton
- Fulham
- Leeds United
- Leicester City
- Manchester United
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle United
- Nottingham Forest
- Southampton
- Sunderland
- West Bromwich Albion
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
National League Cup format
The National League Cup consists of a group stage which is then followed by knockout rounds.
All 32 teams are divided into four groups of eight, with an even split of National League clubs and Premier League 2 sides.
The two best-placed teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals, which precedes the semi-finals and final to determine a winner.
Replicating the format in the EFL Trophy, all Premier League 2 teams will play all of their matches away from home, meaning all National League clubs will play their fixtures on home soil.
No side from the same division will oppose each other in the group stage. All matches will be played in midweek.
National League Cup groups
Group A
- Blackburn Rovers U21
- Burnley U21
- Everton U21
- Manchester United U21
- Morecambe
- Rochdale
- Solihull Moors
- Tamworth
Group B
- Leicester City U21
- Nottingham Forest U21
- West Bromwich Albion U21
- Wolverhampton Wanderers U21
- Braintree Town
- Brackley Town
- Forest Green Rovers
- Wealdstone
Group C
- Brighton & Hove Albion U21
- Fulham U21
- Southampton U21
- West Ham United U21
- Aldershot Town
- Sutton United
- Truro City
- Woking
Group D
- Leeds United U21
- Middlesbrough U21
- Newcastle United U21
- Sunderland U21
- Boston United
- FC Halifax Town
- Gateshead
- Scunthorpe United
National League Cup schedule
Group Stage
Match Round 1: 12-13 August, 2025
Match Round 2: 16-17 September, 2025
Match Round 3: 21-22 October, 2025
Match Round 4: 25-26 November, 2025
Knockout Rounds
Quarter Final: 27-28 January, 2025
Semi Final: 17-18 February, 2025
Final: 17-18 March, 2025
National League Cup prize money
The Premier League is delivering a total prize fund of £1million which will be distributed only to the National League clubs competing in the competition.
On top of the prize money, National League clubs will also keep all gate receipts from their fixtures in the competition.
