- The 32-team competition will begin next month and run until April.
- Clubs in the fifth tier of English football will retain all ticket revenue from matches.
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The Premier League has teamed up with the National League to create a new competition designed to further aid player development.
The National League Cup will feature teams from the fifth tier of English football alongside teams from the Premier League 2.
The new competition, which starts in October, is expected to give youngsters from the country’s biggest clubs the chance to test themselves against higher-calibre opponents.
The competition will feature 32 teams, will be played in midweek and all gate receipts from the matches will be kept by the National League teams.
The participating clubs have been divided into four groups of eight, with the two highest-placed teams in each group advancing to a knockout phase to determine the winner.
Manchester United are among the Premier League clubs whose youth teams will compete in the competition.
Premier League director of football Tony Scholes believes the competition will provide more opportunities for young players
United have been drawn in a group with neighbours Rochdale, who have made a good start to the season.
Premier League director of football Tony Scholes said: ‘We are excited to launch this new competition in partnership with the National League.
‘The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under-17 to under-21 age groups to gain valuable experience playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development.
“We are delighted to be able to support the running of the competition and look forward to seeing the wider benefits it will bring to National League clubs.”
This year’s tournament features teams such as Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle.
In addition to gate receipts, National League clubs will also receive a share of the combined £1m prize fund, provided by the Premier League.
The first round of games will begin on October 1st and the final round will take place on April 1st or 2nd.
