Holders Luton drawn with Peterborough in EFL Trophy

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. Leicester start League One season at Notts County York host Bristol Rovers and Rochdale visit Newport 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 Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone