EFL Clubs have agreed, at their 2016 summer conference, to pilot a new format for the EFL Trophy as part of their ongoing commitment to creating more and better home grown players.Â
The one season trial for season 2016/17 will include 64 teams made up of EFL League One and Two clubs, plus an additional 16 category 1 Premier League academy/under-21 sides.Â
Central to the competition will be the introduction of a new group stage format with 16 regional groups of four teams. Â The top two teams will progress to the knockout stages of the competition with the final staged at Wembley Stadium in April 2017. Â
Full details for 2016/17’s competition will be finalised within the next 14 days