| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Teams | 32 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 44 |
| Goals scored | 172 (3.91 per match) |
| Attendance | 23,074 (524 per match) |
| ← 2008–092025–26 → All statistics correct as of 15 October 2024. | |
The 2024–25 National League Cup, is the 26th season in the history of the competition, and the first since its revival. It is a knock-out tournament between clubs in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football league system, and 16 professional under-21 teams playing in Premier League 2.
A prize fund of £1 million is distributed to non-league clubs in the fifth and sixth tiers, with the intention to provide younger players from the PL2 with senior experience. The relaunch of the competition has otherwise been controversial, with criticism and negativity from non-league clubs and their supporters.
Participating clubs
- 16 invited clubs from the National League.
- 16 invited Premier League 2 under-21 teams.
| National League | Premier League 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | ||
| Total | 16 | 16 |
Competition format
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) - League phase
- Four groups of eight teams.
- All groups will include four National League sides and four academy sides.
- All National League clubs will play each academy side once, and all academy sides will play each National League side once (academy sides will play all group matches away from home).
- Clubs will be awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. Drawn matches will end in a penalty shoot-out with an extra point for the winners.
- The top two teams in each group will progress to the knockout stage.
- Knockout stage
- In Round 2, the group winners will be seeded and the group runners-up will be unseeded in the draw.
- In Round 2, teams who played in the same group as each other in the group stage will be kept apart.
Broadcasting
The National League announced all fixtures would be streamed live and free on NLTV.
Group stage
The group stage draw was made on 19 September 2024, when the competition was announced.
Group A
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NL | Maidenhead United | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 8 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | NL | Aldershot Town | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 6 | |
| 3 | NL | Wealdstone | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | |
| 4 | NL | Woking (E) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 | +1 | 6 | |
| 5 | ACA | Fulham U21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 | |
| 6 | ACA | Brighton & Hove Albion U21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 5 | |
| 7 | ACA | Southampton U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | −3 | 1 | |
| 8 | ACA | Derby County U21 (E) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 1 |
(E) Eliminated Woking v Brighton & Hove Albion U21
| 1 October 2024 | Woking | 2–2 (3–4 p) | Brighton & Hove Albion U21 | Woking |
| 19:00 BST (UTC+1) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: The Laithwaite Community Stadium Attendance: 227 Referee: Paul Johnson |
| Penalties | ||||
89'
| 1 October 2024 | Maidenhead United | 2–0 | Fulham U21 | Maidenhead |
| 19:30 BST (UTC+1) | Report | Stadium: York Road Attendance: 210 Referee: Ross Martin |
| 15 October 2024 | Aldershot Town | 3–0 | Derby County U21 | Aldershot |
| 19:00 BST (UTC+1) | Report | Stadium: The EBB Stadium Attendance: 190 Referee: James Durkin |
| 5 November 2024 | Aldershot Town | 2–3 | Brighton & Hove Albion U21 | Aldershot |
| 19:00 GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: The EBB Stadium Attendance: 317 Referee: Farai Hallam |
| 5 November 2024 | Wealdstone | 0–2 | Fulham U21 | Ruislip |
| 19:00 GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: Grosvenor Vale Attendance: 190 Referee: Jamie O'Connor |
| 5 November 2024 | Woking | 4–4 (3–0 p) | Southampton U21 | Woking |
| 19:00 GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: The Laithwaite Community Stadium Attendance: 157 Referee: Michael Doyle | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 5 November 2024 | Maidenhead United | 3–3 (7–6 p) | Derby County U21 | Maidenhead |
| 19:30 GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: York Road Attendance: 145 Referee: Greg Rollason | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 12 November 2024 | Wealdstone | 3–1 | Southampton U21 | Ruislip |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: Grosvenor Vale Attendance: 160 Referee: Paul Johnson |
| 3 December 2024 | Aldershot Town | 2–1 | Southampton U21 | Aldershot |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: The EBB Stadium Attendance: 272 |
| 3 December 2024 | Wealdstone | 2–0 | Derby County U21 | Ruislip |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: Grosvenor Vale Attendance: 93 Referee: Callum Walchester |
| 3 December 2024 | Woking | 2–3 | Fulham U21 | Woking |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: The Laithwaite Community Stadium Attendance: 222 |
| 4 December 2024 | Maidenhead United | 2–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion U21 | Maidenhead |
| 19:30GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: York Road Attendance: 160 Referee: Jason Richardson |
| 14 January 2025 | Woking | 2–0 | Derby County U21 | Woking |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: The Laithwaite Community Stadium Attendance: 91 Referee: Steve Parkinson |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
Group B
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACA | Manchester United U21 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | NL | Oldham Athletic | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 | |
| 3 | ACA | Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 | |
| 4 | NL | Altrincham | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 5 | |
| 5 | NL | Rochdale | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 6 | ACA | Stoke City U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | |
| 7 | ACA | Blackburn Rovers U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 1 | |
| 8 | NL | Forest Green Rovers (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | −7 | 0 |
(E) Eliminated Oldham Athletic v Stoke City U21
| 1 October 2024 | Oldham Athletic | 2–1 | Stoke City U21 | Oldham |
| 19:00 BST (UTC+1) | Report |
|
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 455 Referee: Stuart Morland |
| 8 October 2024 | Altrincham | 3–3 (6–5 p) | Blackburn Rovers U21 | Altrincham |
| 19:30 BST (UTC+1) | Report |
|
Stadium: Moss Lane Attendance: 783 Referee: Richard Aspinall | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 9 October 2024 | Forest Green Rovers | 2–3 | Manchester United U21 | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 BST (UTC+1) | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,273 Referee: Jason Richardson |
| 5 November 2024 | Rochdale | 4–1 | Blackburn Rovers U21 | Rochdale |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: Crown Oil Arena Attendance: 426 Referee: Paul Cooper |
| 5 November 2024 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–4 | Stoke City U21 | Nailsworth |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 257 Referee: Elliott Swallow |
| 6 November 2024 | Oldham Athletic | 2–2 (2–4 p) | Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 | Oldham |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 520 Referee: Aaron Jackson |
| 19 November 2024 | Altrincham | 0–4 | Manchester United U21 | Altrincham |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: J. Davidson Stadium Attendance: 3,663 Referee: Stuart Morland |
| 3 December 2024 | Rochdale | 0–1 | Manchester United U21 | Rochdale |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: Crown Oil Arena Attendance: 3,681 Referee: John Mulligan |
| 3 December 2024 | Altrincham | 4–1 | Stoke City U21 | Altrincham |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: J. Davidson Stadium Attendance: 879 Referee: Paul Cooper |
| 10 December 2024 | Oldham Athletic | 3–2 | Blackburn Rovers U21 | Oldham |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 356 Referee: Callum Jones |
| 18 December 2024 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 | Nailsworth |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
Group C
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACA | Leeds United U21 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 8 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | NL | Boston United | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | ACA | Newcastle United U21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| 4 | NL | Gateshead | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | |
| 5 | ACA | Sunderland U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 4 | |
| 6 | ACA | Middlesbrough U21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 7 | NL | FC Halifax Town (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 1 | |
| 8 | NL | Tamworth | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
(E) Eliminated FC Halifax Town v Newcastle United U21
| 1 October 2024 | FC Halifax Town | 1–2 | Newcastle United U21 | Halifax |
| 19:00 BST (UTC+1) |
|
Report | Stadium: The Shay Attendance: 292 Referee: Michael Crusham |
| 1 October 2024 | Boston United | 3–4 | Leeds United U21 | Boston |
| 19:30 BST (UTC+1) | Report | Stadium: Boston Community Stadium Attendance: 467 Referee: Jamie O'Connor |
| 1 October 2024 | Gateshead | 1–0 | Middlesbrough U21 | Gateshead |
| 19:45 BST (UTC+1) |
|
Report | Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium Attendance: 407 Referee: Ross Martin |
| 5 November 2024 | Boston United | 1–0 | Sunderland U21 | Boston |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report | Stadium: Boston Community Stadium Attendance: 414 Referee: William Davis |
| 5 November 2024 | Tamworth | 1–1 (5–6 p) | Newcastle United U21 | Tamworth |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: The Lamb Ground Attendance: 387 Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis |
| Penalties | ||||
| 6 November 2024 | Gateshead | 1–2 | Leeds United U21 | Gateshead |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report | Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium Attendance: 272 Referee: Gareth Rhodes |
| 12 November 2024 | FC Halifax Town | 1–4 | Middlesbrough U21 | Halifax |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report | Stadium: The Shay Attendance: 256 Referee: James Westgate |
| 19 November 2024 | Tamworth | 1–5 | Sunderland U21 | Tamworth |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: The Lamb Ground Attendance: 403 Referee: Mr. R. Eley |
| 3 December 2024 | Boston United | 3–2 | Newcastle United U21 | Boston |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: Boston Community Stadium Attendance: 386 Referee: Michael Crusham |
| 3 December 2024 | FC Halifax Town | 2–2 (3–5 p) | Leeds United U21 | Halifax |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: The Shay Attendance: 471 Referee: Stuart Morland |
| 4 December 2024 | Gateshead | 2–2 (5–4 p) | Sunderland U21 | Gateshead |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
Group D
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NL | Braintree Town | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | ACA | West Ham United U21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | NL | Dagenham & Redbridge | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 9 | −1 | 4 | |
| 4 | ACA | Tottenham Hotspur U21 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | −3 | 4 | |
| 5 | NL | Sutton United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | ACA | Nottingham Forest U21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| 7 | NL | Ebbsfleet United | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 | |
| 8 | ACA | West Bromwich Albion U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 1 |
(E) Eliminated Ebbsfleet United v West Bromwich Albion U21
| 1 October 2024 | Ebbsfleet United | 2–2 (5–4 p) | West Bromwich Albion U21 | Northfleet |
| 19:00 BST (UTC+1) | Report | Stadium: Kuflink Stadium Attendance: 213 Referee: Abigail Byrne | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 1 October 2024 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 5–5 (3–5 p) | Tottenham Hotspur U21 | Dagenham |
| 19:30 BST (UTC+1) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Chigwell Construction Stadium Attendance: 184 Referee: Alan Dale |
| Penalties | ||||
| 29 October 2024 | Ebbsfleet United | 1–1 (3–4 p) | Tottenham Hotspur U21 | Northfleet |
| 19:00 GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Kuflink Stadium Attendance: 865 Referee: Elliott Swallow |
| Penalties | ||||
| 5 November 2024 | Braintree Town | 4–2 | West Ham United U21 | Braintree |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Stadium: Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium Attendance: 437 |
| 5 November 2024 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 2–1 | West Bromwich Albion U21 | Dagenham |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report |
|
Stadium: Chigwell Construction Stadium Attendance: 183 |
| 3 December 2024 | Braintree Town | 3–2 | West Bromwich Albion U21 | Braintree |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report 1 Report 2 |
|
Stadium: Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium Attendance: 123 |
| 3 December 2024 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 1–3 | Nottingham Forest U21 | Dagenham |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Report | Stadium: Chigwell Construction Stadium Attendance: 174 |
| 3 December 2024 | Sutton United | 3–0 | Tottenham Hotspur U21 | Sutton |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: VBS Community Stadium Attendance: 1,092 Referee: Stephen Parkinson |
| 10 December 2024 | Braintree Town | 1–0 | Nottingham Forest U21 | Braintree |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
Stadium: Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium Attendance: 148 |
| 17 December 2024 | Sutton United | 0–2 | West Ham United U21 | Sutton |
| GMT (UTC+0) | Report | Stadium: VBS Community Stadium Attendance: 1,164 Referee: Matthew Russell |
| 7 January 2025 | Ebbsfleet United | 1–2 | West Ham United U21 | Northfleet |
| GMT (UTC+0) |
|
|
Stadium: Kuflink Stadium |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
| v | ||||
| GMT (UTC+0) |
Quarter-finals
 | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024) |
Semi-finals
| This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024) |
Final
Main article: 2025 National League Cup finalNotes
- Initially the 14 teams in the 2023-24 National League who were not promoted, plus the two teams relegated from League Two, were due to compete. However Barnet, Eastleigh, Hartlepool United, Solihull Moors and Southend United declined the invitation to the competition. AFC Fylde, Yeovil Town and York City also declined to compete, with the remaining teams from outside the top 16 from the previous season making up the numbers.
- ^ Reading were originally allocated to Group A. On 25 September, Reading withdrew citing lack of available players and due to the "higher than expected demands on the squad", adding the "original decision to enter was made back in June". On the same day, Derby County confirmed their participation in the competition as Reading's replacement.
- Premier League 2 side Reading withdrew from the competition and were replaced by Derby County.
References
- ^ "Premier League and National League announce National League Cup". premierleague.com. Premier League. 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ McLaughlin, Luke (2024-11-14). "National League Cup: a 'sweetener' for scrapping Cup replays or cash lifeline?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- Butler, Ryan (2024-10-10). "Sam's Section: National League Cup, what is it and how much do fans and clubs really want it?". Severn Sport. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- House, Alfie (2024-09-20). "Eastleigh release firm statement as they refuse controversial National League Cup". Daily Echo. Archived from the original on 2024-09-21. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- "National League Cup Launched!". theshots.co.uk. Aldershot Town F.C. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- "Club withdraw from Premier League National League Cup". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- "ACADEMY NEWS: Under-21s To Take Part In 2024/25 National League Cup". dcfc.co.uk. Derby County F.C. 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- "National League Cup group stage free to air on NLTV". thenationalleague.org.uk. National League. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- "National League Cup competition to start in October". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- "U21s To Compete In National League Cup". fulhamfc.co.uk. Fulham F.C. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.