Frank Christian
From top-tier football to the lower echelons, fans have numerous competitions to watch their teams strive for glory.
While elite clubs like Manchester City compete for various trophies, the English Football League (EFL) ensures that lower-league teams also have the opportunity to vie for titles.
In addition to league play, Premier League teams engage in domestic knockouts such as the FA Cup and EFL Cup. However, for lower-ranked clubs, an alternative is needed for a fair chance at trophy contention amidst the wealthier teams.
As a result, the EFL Trophy exists, designed specifically for lower-league teams. The Sporting News explains the structure, eligibility, and unique aspects of this tournament and how it includes involvement from Premier League teams.
Overview of the EFL Trophy
The EFL Trophy, currently branded as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy due to sponsorship, is a knockout competition held by the EFL that started in 1981.
Currently, only select lower-league clubs and academy teams from higher-tier clubs, including the Premier League, can participate in the tournament.
There are specific rules regarding player eligibility and lineup compositions in EFL Trophy matches.
Participating Clubs: Eligibility and Structure
A total of 64 teams can join the EFL Trophy, which includes all League One (third tier) and League Two (fourth tier) clubs, plus Under-21 teams from Premier League and Championship clubs.
To maintain competitive integrity, EFL clubs must include four players in their starting eleven who meet at least one of these criteria:
- Played in the last first-team match or will start the next one
- Ranked among the top 10 for appearances this season in league and cup matches
- Accumulated 40 or more first-team appearances throughout their career
- On loan from a Premier League club or another EFL Category One team
For invited academy teams, these criteria do not apply. Instead, they must feature six players aged 21 or younger and have no more than two who are older and have made 40 or more senior appearances.
Structure of the Tournament
The EFL Trophy comprises a group stage followed by knockout rounds.
In the group stage, the 64 teams are divided into geographically grouped four-team pools, with eight pools each in the Northern and Southern sections.
The top two teams from each group progress to the Round of 32, and the knockout phase continues in a similar geographic manner until the semifinals, where the four surviving teams can be drawn against any of the other three.
As with many significant English cup competitions, the final takes place at Wembley Stadium.
Comparison with the EFL Cup
The EFL Trophy is distinctly different from the EFL Cup (also known as the League Cup or Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons) with separate eligibility rules and formats.
While the EFL Cup admits all 92 clubs across the top four tiers, the EFL Trophy focuses on lower-division teams and Under-21 sides.
Furthermore, the EFL Cup does not impose the same roster restrictions as the EFL Trophy and does not feature a group stage, operating as a single-elimination knockout tournament instead, with the semifinals typically played over two legs.
Previous EFL Trophy Champions
The EFL Trophy tends to see diverse winners due to its focus on lower-tier clubs, with many winners coming from the higher divisions.
Notably, fourth-tier teams have only won the trophy six times throughout its history, illustrating the differences in competitiveness between the lower tiers.
Bristol City stands out with the record of three victories in this tournament, while a total of 12 teams have managed to win it twice. Although winning this trophy is an honor, multiple victories may indicate long-term participation in lower leagues, which is not siempre seen as a commendable achievement.
Wrexham captured the title back in 2005, defeating Southend United by 2-0 in the final.
Winners from the fourth tier are italicized below. Bracketed numbers indicate total wins.
| Year | Champion | Division |
| 2023/24 | Peterborough United (2) | League One |
| 2022/23 | Bolton Wanderers (2) | League One |
| 2021/22 | Rotherham United (2) | League One |
| 2020/21 | Sunderland | League One |
| 2019/20 | Salford City | League Two |
| 2018/19 | Portsmouth | League One |
| 2017/18 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2016/17 | Coventry City | League One |
| 2015/16 | Barnsley | League One |
| 2014/15 | Bristol City (3) | League One |
| 2013/14 | Peterborough United | League One |
| 2012/13 | Crewe Alexandra | League One |
| 2011/12 | Chesterfield | League One |
| 2010/11 | Carlisle United (2) | League One |
| 2009/10 | Southampton | League One |
| 2008/09 | Luton Town | League Two |
| 2007/08 | MK Dons | League Two |
| 2006/07 | Doncaster Rovers | League One |
| 2005/06 | Swansea City (2) | League One |
| 2004/05 | Wrexham | League One |
| 2003/04 | Blackpool (2) | Division Two* |
| 2002/03 | Bristol City (2) | Division Two |
| 2001/02 | Blackpool | Division Two |
| 2000/01 | Port Vale (2) | Division Two |
| 1999/00 | Stoke City (2) | Division Two |
| 1998/99 | Wigan Athletic (2) | Division Two |
| 1997/98 | Grimsby Town (2) | Division Two |
| 1996/97 | Carlisle Town | Division Three |
| 1995/96 | Rotherham United | Division Two |
| 1994/95 | Birmingham City (2) | Division Two |
| 1993/94 | Swansea City | Division Two |
| 1992/93 | Port Vale | Division Two |
| 1991/92 | Stoke City | Division Two |
| 1990/91 | Birmingham City | Division Three* |
| 1989/90 | Tranmere Rovers | Division Three |
| 1988/89 | Bolton Wanderers | Division Three |
| 1987/88 | Wolves | Division Four |
| 1986/87 | Mansfield Town | Division Three |
| 1985/86 | Bristol City | Division Three |
| 1984/85 | Wigan Athletic | Division Three |
| 1983/84 | Bournemouth | Division Three |
| 1982/83 | Millwall | Division Three |
| 1981/82 | Grimsby Town | Division Two** |
* Previously, EFL League One was known as Division Three from 1958-1992 and Division Two from 1992-2004. EFL League Two was called Division Four from 1958-1992 and Division Three from 1992-2004.
** The EFL Trophy initially included clubs from the second tier for its first two seasons before shifting to its current format starting in 1983/84.
