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.

Northern section

Group A: Sheffield Wednesday, Salford, Accrington, Sunderland U21

Group B: Blackpool, Wigan, Crewe, Aston Villa U21

Group C: Bradford, York, Rotherham, Newcastle U21

Group D: Mansfield, Chesterfield, Port Vale, Man City U21

Group E: Stockport, Tranmere, Shrewsbury, Everton U21

Group F: Burton, Notts County, Grimsby, Nottingham Forest U21

Group G: Barnsley, Oldham, Fleetwood, Leeds U21

Group H: Huddersfield, Doncaster Rovers, Rochdale, Liverpool U21

Southern section

Group A: Oxford Utd, Exeter, Cheltenham, Tottenham Hotspur U21

Group B: Leicester City, Stevenage, Walsall, Fulham U21

Group C: Reading, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe, Chelsea U21

Group D: Luton, Peterborough, Colchester Utd, Ipswich Town U21

Group E: Plymouth, Swindon, Newport County, Crystal Palace U21

Group F: AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, Barnet, Arsenal U21

Group G: Cambridge Utd, Gillingham, Northampton, Brighton U21

Group H: Bromley, Crawley, MK Dons, Brentford U21