Holders Luton drawn with Peterborough in EFL Trophy
The draw for the 2026-2027 EFL Trophy is made, with 16 invited Premier League U21 sides joining League One and League Two clubs.
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.
Group A: Sheffield Wednesday, Salford, Accrington, Sunderland U21
Group F: Burton, Notts County, Grimsby, Nottingham Forest U21
Group H: Huddersfield, Doncaster Rovers, Rochdale, Liverpool U21
Group A: Oxford Utd, Exeter, Cheltenham, Tottenham Hotspur U21
Group D: Luton, Peterborough, Colchester Utd, Ipswich Town U21
Group E: Plymouth, Swindon, Newport County, Crystal Palace U21
Group G: Cambridge Utd, Gillingham, Northampton, Brighton U21
