Brentford Under-21s to enter EFL Trophy for 2026/27 season | OneFootball

Brentford Academy are delighted to confirm that Brentford Under-21s will participate in the EFL Trophy for the 2026/27 campaign.

The Bees will be ball number 2 in the group stage draw, live on Sky Sports News on Thursday 25 June at 2.30pm.

Brentford’s first team have previously featured in the competition, but it will be the first time the Under-21s have been invited to compete in the trophy, with the academy having achieved Category One status in March 2026.

The EFL Trophy is a midweek knockout cup competition which includes clubs from League One and League Two, plus an additional 16 invited sides from Premier League and Championship clubs with Category One academies.

The 16 invited Category One sides are as follows: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.

The group stage will be split into 16 regional groups of four teams, eight in the Northern region and eight in the Southern region. The 16 invited under-21 teams will be placed into their respective Northern and Southern regional groups, with the 48 EFL Clubs placed into pre-determined Groups prior to the draw.

The top two from each group progress to the knockout stages, with EFL Trophy fixtures remaining regionalised until the quarter-final stage.

The draw for the Group Stages of the 2026/27 EFL Trophy will take place live on Sky Sports News on Thursday 25 June from 2.30pm.

The pre-determined groups and the ball numbers for the Group Stages Draw are as follows:

Northern Section

Ball Numbers

Southern Section

Ball Numbers

The first round is due to commence in early September 2026, with dates to be confirmed following the EFL’s Fixture Release Day on Thursday 25 June.

Academy director David Rainford said: “From an academy perspective, our entry into the EFL Trophy is a positive step following our move to Category One status. It provides a genuine opportunity for our B-team players to experience senior football within a competitive and meaningful environment.

“For our young players, facing League One and League Two opposition, away from home and in first-team stadiums, is a significant part of their development. These are the types of challenges that help them adapt to the demands of the professional game, both on and off the pitch.

“Our B-team model has always prioritised exposure to senior football, and this competition complements that approach in a structured and high-profile way. It gives our players and staff a clear benchmark and an opportunity to test themselves in a setting that closely reflects the next stage of their careers.”

Brentford B head coach Sam Saunders believes the tournament will add a new element of development for his side.

“One of the first things that we asked for when we got Category One status was to try and get into this competition,” he explained.

“It’s important for our young players for their development to play in stadiums with crowds, test themselves against first-team players who have more experience and will play with different styles.

“It’s a great competition that we can’t wait to play in and hopefully the boys can express themselves and showcase their talent.”