Wikiwand AI

2025–26 Professional U18 Development League

Football league season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2025–26 Professional U18 Development League was the 14th season of the Professional Development League system.

Season2025–26
Dates16 August 2025 – 16 May 2026
ChampionsChelsea (3rd title)
UEFA Youth LeagueChelsea
Quick facts Season, Dates ...
U18 Premier League
Season2025–26
Dates16 August 2025 – 16 May 2026
ChampionsChelsea (3rd title)
UEFA Youth LeagueChelsea
Matches392
Goals1,620 (4.13 per match)
Best playerJJ Gabriel (Manchester United)[1]
Top goalscorerTeddie Lamb (Manchester City)
(25 goals)
Biggest home winMiddlesbrough 9–0 Blackburn Rovers
(18 April 2026)
Biggest away winBirmingham City 0–8 Crystal Palace
(16 August 2025)
Highest scoringLiverpool 3–8 Blackburn Rovers
(20 September 2025)
Burnley 7–4 Leeds United
(9 May 2026)
Ipswich Town 3–8 Aston Villa
(9 May 2026)
Longest winning run9 matches
Chelsea
(21 March 2026 – 9 May 2026)
Longest unbeaten run13 matches
Chelsea
(23 August 2025 – 31 January 2026)
Longest winless run12 matches
Stoke City
(18 October 2025 – 14 February 2026)
Longest losing run10 matches
Stoke City
(18 October 2025 – 31 January 2026)
(Note: All statistics do not include play-off matches)
Close

29 teams competed, divided into the North and South divisions based on region. Birmingham City[2] and Burnley[3] returned to the U18 Premier League after a three-season absence, while founding member Ipswich Town returned to the top flight for the first time in 13 years.[4] Burnley played in the North Division, while Birmingham City and Ipswich Town played in the South Division.

North

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Manchester City (C) 26 19 3 4 96 39 +57 60 Qualification for the National Final
2 Manchester United 26 18 2 6 65 24 +41 56
3 Newcastle United 26 16 1 9 55 44 +11 49
4 Everton 26 13 3 10 54 45 +9 42
5 Nottingham Forest 26 13 3 10 50 47 +3 42
6 Sunderland 26 11 6 9 56 44 +12 39
7 Middlesbrough 26 12 3 11 45 45 0 39
8 Liverpool 26 11 2 13 70 70 0 35
9 Blackburn Rovers 26 9 6 11 51 68 −17 33
10 Derby County 26 10 2 14 44 67 −23 32
11 Burnley 26 9 3 14 49 68 −19 30
12 Leeds United 26 8 5 13 47 68 −21 29
13 Wolverhampton Wanderers 26 5 5 16 29 55 −26 20
14 Stoke City 26 5 2 19 42 69 −27 17
Close
Source: League Under 18 Table
(C) Champions

Matches

More information Home \ Away, BLB ...
Home \ Away BLB BUR DER EVE LEE LIV MNC MNU MID NEW NFO STK SUN WOL
Blackburn Rovers — 2–2 1–2 1–1 4–1 1–1 0–5 0–0 6–2 3–2 4–2 3–2 3–1 0–1
Burnley 6–0 — 1–2 0–5 7–4 1–6 2–2 1–2 2–3 1–3 3–5 3–2 2–0 1–1
Derby County 1–3 1–2 — 1–3 2–3 4–3 3–1 0–4 0–0 3–1 0–2 0–3 2–2 2–1
Everton 4–0 0–1 1–4 — 1–1 2–1 5–3 0–1 1–2 4–2 3–2 2–3 2–1 2–1
Leeds United 2–1 2–5 4–0 5–3 — 0–3 1–1 0–2 3–2 3–3 1–2 0–3 2–2 4–1
Liverpool 3–8 7–1 4–2 1–3 6–1 — 0–3 0–7 1–2 3–4 3–6 4–2 3–5 3–3
Manchester City 7–3 5–0 5–3 2–1 5–0 2–3 — 1–3 5–0 3–1 6–0 4–4 4–1 7–0
Manchester United 3–0 1–0 6–1 1–3 0–0 4–1 2–4 — 5–0 3–0 5–2 3–1 0–1 3–1
Middlesbrough 9–0 5–2 3–2 0–0 1–2 0–1 0–2 1–2 — 0–4 2–1 3–0 1–1 3–1
Newcastle United 3–0 2–1 5–0 3–1 3–2 0–1 3–5 2–0 2–1 — 2–1 1–3 1–0 2–1
Nottingham Forest 2–1 3–0 1–2 1–0 2–1 3–4 0–4 2–1 2–0 0–1 — 1–1 4–0 2–2
Stoke City 0–1 1–2 4–5 3–5 2–1 1–5 2–3 1–2 0–2 1–2 0–2 — 0–4 1–3
Sunderland 5–5 1–2 3–0 4–0 5–1 4–3 1–2 2–1 0–1 4–1 1–1 6–2 — 1–0
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 3–1 1–2 1–2 2–3 1–0 1–5 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–1 2–0 1–1 —
Close
Source: Premier League Under 18 Results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

South

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Chelsea (C) 28 21 4 3 88 24 +64 67 Qualification for the National Final
2 Tottenham Hotspur 28 16 6 6 70 36 +34 54
3 Aston Villa 28 17 3 8 82 55 +27 54
4 Brighton & Hove Albion 28 14 7 7 63 41 +22 49
5 Crystal Palace 28 14 4 10 74 52 +22 46
6 West Bromwich Albion 28 14 4 10 68 50 +18 46
7 Southampton 28 13 3 12 65 61 +4 42
8 West Ham United 28 13 2 13 62 59 +3 41
9 Leicester City 28 10 6 12 46 53 −7 36
10 Arsenal 28 9 6 13 46 57 −11 33
11 Fulham 28 9 6 13 48 65 −17 33
12 Norwich City 28 6 8 14 47 67 −20 26
13 Reading 28 6 8 14 38 66 −28 26
14 Birmingham City 28 6 3 19 29 88 −59 21
15 Ipswich Town 28 6 2 20 41 93 −52 20
Close
Source: Premier League Under 18 Table
(C) Champions

Matches

More information Home \ Away, ARS ...
Home \ Away ARS AVL BIR BHA CHE CRY FUL IPS LEI NOR REA SOU TOT WBA WHU
Arsenal — 2–6 3–1 0–3 1–1 2–3 2–2 4–2 1–2 1–4 1–2 3–2 1–4 2–3 3–4
Aston Villa 1–2 — 6–0 1–4 2–1 3–1 3–3 5–1 0–4 2–2 1–0 5–2 2–1 0–3 3–1
Birmingham City 0–2 1–5 — 0–2 0–4 0–8 2–1 4–3 0–4 2–1 0–1 2–1 1–4 2–8 1–2
Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 0–2 1–1 — 0–3 4–0 5–0 3–2 3–3 5–2 3–1 2–3 4–1 0–2 3–1
Chelsea 4–0 6–1 3–1 4–0 — 2–0 2–3 5–0 5–0 0–0 3–2 3–0 2–2 0–1 4–2
Crystal Palace 2–2 1–2 5–0 0–0 2–4 — 4–0 8–0 4–2 4–2 2–0 4–2 1–1 1–3 3–2
Fulham 2–1 2–5 3–4 2–3 1–5 2–2 — 4–0 2–1 4–0 5–1 2–5 0–5 3–0 1–1
Ipswich Town 1–0 3–8 3–0 1–2 0–3 3–6 3–0 — 3–1 3–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 0–5 2–8
Leicester City 1–1 2–2 0–2 2–1 1–5 1–0 1–2 2–1 — 1–3 1–1 2–1 0–3 1–1 3–1
Norwich City 1–2 2–3 5–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–1 3–6 — 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–3 2–5
Reading 0–3 2–7 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–4 0–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 — 1–3 2–2 2–1 2–1
Southampton 1–0 4–3 3–0 2–2 0–6 1–3 0–0 5–1 3–1 2–3 5–0 — 4–2 6–3 2–0
Tottenham Hotspur 2–2 1–0 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–3 1–0 4–0 2–0 3–0 2–2 4–1 — 5–2 1–2
West Bromwich Albion 0–1 2–3 3–1 0–0 1–4 4–0 5–0 5–1 1–1 1–1 2–5 2–1 2–3 — 1–5
West Ham United 1–2 2–1 1–1 3–2 1–2 3–2 2–1 1–2 1–0 4–2 1–2 5–2 0–5 2–4 —
Close
Source: Premier League Under 18 Results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

National Final

More information Chelsea, 5–1 ...
Chelsea5–1Manchester City
 Report
Close
Referee: Kane Dempster

Season statistics

Top goalscorers

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Goals[5]
1 England Teddie Lamb Manchester City 25
2 England JJ Gabriel Manchester United 23
3 England Markie Meade Aston Villa 19
4 England Josh Sonni-Lambie Liverpool 16
5 England Chizaram Ezenwata Chelsea 15
England Harry French West Bromwich Albion
England Lorenz Hutchinson Leicester City
England Christian Dunbar-McDonald Manchester City
Albania Armend Muslika Tottenham Hotspur
10 England David Angibeaud Crystal Palace 14
England Oliver Boast Tottenham Hotspur
England Andre Dike West Ham United
Close

Hat-tricks

More information Player, For ...
PlayerForAgainstResultDateRef.
England Benjamin CaseyCrystal PalaceTottenham Hotspur2–3 (A)30 August 2025[6]
England JJ GabrielManchester UnitedDerby County0–4 (A)30 August 2025[7]
England Harry GathercoleSouthamptonWest Bromwich Albion6–3 (H)30 August 2025[8]
England Lorenz HutchinsonLeicester CityAston Villa0–4 (A)13 September 2025[9]
England Benjamin CaseyCrystal PalaceIpswich Town8–0 (H)13 September 2025[10]
England Freddie LeatherbarrowBlackburn RoversLiverpool3–8 (A)20 September 2025[11]
England Rio Parmar 4West Bromwich AlbionBirmingham City2–8 (A)20 September 2025[12]
Wales Isaac Thomas 4West Ham UnitedIpswich Town2–8 (A)1 November 2025[13]
England Teddie LambManchester CityBurnley5–0 (H)1 November 2025[14]
England Marley MintusDerby CountyStoke City4–5 (A)1 November 2025[15]
England Kallum Fuller-Thompson 4ReadingWest Bromwich Albion0–5 (A)1 November 2025[16]
England Riko RobinsonNottingham ForestLiverpool3–6 (A)8 November 2025[17]
England JJ GabrielManchester UnitedLiverpool0–7 (A)29 November 2025[18]
Guyana Reiss Elliott-ParrisTottenham HotspurFulham0–5 (A)20 December 2025[19]
England Jephthah MedineWest Ham UnitedNorwich City4–2 (H)10 January 2026[20]
Morocco Ibrahim RabbajChelseaLeicester City1–5 (A)17 January 2026[21]
England Josh Sonni-LambieLiverpoolBurnley7–1 (H)24 January 2026[22]
England Harvey HigginsBlackburn RoversMiddlesbrough6–2 (H)31 January 2026[23]
England Joshua AbeLiverpoolLeeds United6–1 (H)14 February 2026[24]
England Teddie LambManchester CityWolverhampton Wanderers7–0 (H)17 February 2026[25]
England Levi BallBlackburn RoversSunderland5–5 (A)18 February 2026[26]
England Oliver BoastTottenham HotspurBirmingham City1–4 (A)7 March 2026[27]
England Mylo BernardCrystal PalaceReading2–4 (A)14 March 2026[28]
England Israel GreenDerby CountyEverton1–4 (A)17 March 2026[29]
England Reggie WalshChelseaFulham1–5 (A)18 April 2026[30]
England Tyler SmithMiddlesbroughBlackburn Rovers9–0 (H)18 April 2026[31]
England Kylan MidwoodManchester CityDerby County5–3 (H)2 May 2026[32]
Australia Marcus NeillSunderlandEverton4–0 (H)5 May 2026[33]
England Warren TaylorBurnleyLeeds United7–4 (H)9 May 2026[34]
Scotland Ceiran LoneyEvertonManchester City5–3 (H)9 May 2026[35]
England Markie MeadeAston VillaIpswich Town2–6 (A)9 May 2026[36]
Albania Armend Muslika4Tottenham HotspurWest Bromwich Albion5–2 (H)12 May 2026[37]
Close
Note

(H) – Home; (A) – Away
4 – player scored 4 goals

Professional Development League

Quick facts Season, Dates ...
U18 Professional Development League 2
Season2025–26
Dates8 August 2025 – 2 May 2026
ChampionsCharlton Athletic (4th Title)
Matches283
(280 RS, 3 PO)
Goals1,163 (4.11 per match)
(1154 RS, 9 PO)
Top goalscorerEngland Dan Gelhardt Wigan Athletic
(20 Goals) (19 RS, 1 PO)
Biggest home winSwansea City 9–0 Bristol City
(1 November 2025)
Biggest away winWigan Athletic 0–5 Brentford
(20 September 2025)
Fleetwood Town 0–5 Hull City
(25 October 2025)
Sheffield Wednesday 0–5 Sheffield United
(8 November 2025)
Queens Park Rangers 2–7 Swansea City
(13 December 2025)
Highest scoringBrentford 7–5 Huddersfield Town
(21 March 2026)
Longest winning run7 matches
Charlton Athletic
(23 August 2025 – 25 October 2025)
Longest unbeaten run14 matches
Charlton Athletic
(9 August 2025 – 17 January 2026)
Longest winless run13 matches
Sheffield Wednesday
(24 January 2026 – 1 May 2026)
Longest losing run7 matches
Coventry City
(9 August 2025 – 27 September 2025)
All statistics correct as of 7 May 2026.
Close

The Professional Development League, sometimes known as the Professional Development League 2, is Under-18 football's second tier, designed for those academies with Category 2 status. The league is split regionally into north and south divisions, with each team facing opponents in their own region twice, both home and away, and opponents in the other region once, resulting in 28 games played. The sides finishing in the top two positions in both regions at the end of the season will progress to a knockout stage to determine the overall league champion. Bristol City are the defending champions.

20 teams competed in the league this season, two fewer than the previous season. Three teams joined with Category One status with Birmingham City,[2] Burnley[3] returning after a three-season absence and six total seasons and founding member Ipswich Town[4] playing in the Premier League 2 for the very first time after 13 seasons. However, Huddersfield Town[38] returned after being granted category 2 academy status after 7 years.

Tables

North Division

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Wigan Athletic (R) 28 18 4 6 66 42 +24 58 Qualification for Knock-out stage
2 Hull City 28 16 2 10 65 53 +12 50
3 Crewe Alexandra 28 13 7 8 62 41 +21 46
4 Barnsley 28 13 5 10 44 42 +2 44
5 Sheffield United 28 13 3 12 63 51 +12 42
6 Fleetwood Town 28 11 2 15 39 59 −20 35
7 Peterborough United 28 10 3 15 60 77 −17 33
8 Huddersfield Town 28 7 4 17 55 84 −29 25
9 Sheffield Wednesday 28 6 5 17 32 65 −33 23
10 Coventry City 28 6 3 19 46 68 −22 21
Close
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2026. Source: Professional Development League table
(R) Regional League Champions

South Division

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Charlton Athletic (R, C) 28 19 6 3 77 29 +48 63 Qualification for Knock-out stage
2 Millwall 28 15 6 7 52 38 +14 51
3 AFC Bournemouth 28 16 2 10 75 55 +20 50
4 Brentford 28 15 3 10 77 58 +19 48
5 Cardiff City 28 15 3 10 66 51 +15 48
6 Watford 28 13 5 10 73 58 +15 44
7 Swansea City 28 12 3 13 66 65 +1 39
8 Bristol City 28 11 4 13 41 64 −23 37
9 Colchester United 28 7 4 17 49 78 −29 25
10 Queens Park Rangers 28 4 6 18 46 76 −30 18
Close
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2026. Source: Professional Development League table
(C) Champions; (R) Regional League Champions

Matches

More information Home \ Away, BAR ...
Home \ Away BAR COV CRE FLE HUD HUL PET SHU SHW WIG BOU BRE BRI CAR CHA COL MIL QPR SWA WAT
Barnsley — 2–1 0–0 4–0 3–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 0–3 3–3 3–2 — 3–2 — 2–1 — 0–4 — 1–0 —
Coventry City 3–3 — 3–2 0–1 5–1 4–6 1–0 0–4 3–0 2–5 — 1–2 — 2–4 — 1–2 — 3–3 — 2–5
Crewe Alexandra 2–0 1–2 — 1–2 6–1 3–0 3–1 4–0 4–0 2–2 0–3 — 1–1 — 2–3 — 3–2 — 4–1 —
Fleetwood Town 0–2 2–1 0–2 — 3–3 0–5 0–3 2–0 2–0 2–4 — 7–3 — 1–3 — 1–0 — 4–0 — 3–3
Huddersfield Town 1–2 2–1 1–2 4–2 — 3–1 5–1 1–4 1–3 2–1 1–3 — 2–5 — 0–4 — 1–2 — 2–2 —
Hull City 3–1 3–2 1–1 2–1 3–2 — 3–1 2–1 6–1 4–2 — 0–3 — 2–3 — 3–0 — 6–0 — 3–3
Peterborough United 2–1 4–1 1–5 5–1 2–2 3–2 — 3–5 3–1 2–4 4–7 — 3–5 — 1–1 — 2–1 — 3–4 —
Sheffield United 0–0 2–1 3–3 2–0 1–3 0–2 7–2 — 5–0 4–1 — 1–2 — 0–2 — 3–1 — 3–3 — 2–3
Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 2–2 4–2 0–1 1–3 0–1 0–1 0–5 — 4–1 0–2 — 0–0 — 0–1 — 1–1 — 1–3 —
Wigan Athletic 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–0 2–1 2–0 4–0 — — 0–5 — 4–0 — 4–3 — 1–0 — 0–0
AFC Bournemouth — 2–0 — 0–2 — 1–3 — 5–2 — 1–4 — 4–2 5–2 2–2 3–4 3–0 1–1 3–1 5–1 1–3
Brentford 2–0 — 3–1 — 7–5 — 4–2 — 2–2 — 0–2 — 8–0 0–3 0–2 3–3 0–1 1–3 4–0 2–3
Bristol City — 1–0 — 2–0 — 0–2 — 3–0 — 0–3 2–1 3–4 — 2–1 0–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–1 3–2
Cardiff City 4–2 — 1–1 — 6–2 — 0–1 — 3–4 — 0–3 3–1 0–1 — 1–1 5–0 1–2 4–3 3–1 4–1
Charlton Athletic — 3–0 — 3–0 — 4–1 — 5–0 — 1–1 4–1 3–3 3–0 5–1 — 6–0 4–0 1–1 5–0 1–4
Colchester United 2–1 — 1–3 — 4–2 — 4–2 — 1–1 — 2–4 2–3 1–2 1–4 3–3 — 4–2 3–2 3–5 1–2
Millwall — 3–2 — 1–2 — 2–0 — 0–3 — 3–1 2–1 1–0 3–0 2–0 1–2 3–1 — 2–0 2–2 4–4
Queens Park Rangers 1–2 — 1–2 — 2–2 — 2–5 — 2–3 — 5–1 2–5 2–2 0–2 1–2 4–1 2–2 — 2–7 0–3
Swansea City — 1–2 — 4–0 — 5–1 — 1–4 — 1–3 4–7 0–2 9–0 3–0 3–1 2–3 1–1 0–3 — 2–1
Watford 0–2 — 2–2 — 5–2 — 5–1 — 4–0 — 1–2 4–6 4–0 4–6 0–3 2–1 0–2 3–0 2–3 —
Close
Source: Premier League Under 18 Results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Knock-out stage

Semi-finals

More information Wigan Athletic, 1–0 ...
Wigan Athletic1–0Millwall
  • Gelhardt 7'
Close
More information Charlton Athletic, 4–1 ...
Charlton Athletic4–1Hull City
  • Washington-Amoah 56'
  • Richman 58'
  • Podogorny 75'
  • Peterkin 90+4'
  • Gomeniuk 29'
Close

Professional Development League National Final

More information Charlton Athletic, 3–0 ...
Charlton Athletic3–0Wigan Athletic
  • McMillan 26'
  • Richman 86', 90+8'
 Report
Close
Attendance: 747

Top goalscorers

As of 15 May 2026
More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Goals
1 England Dan Gelhardt Wigan Athletic 20
3 England Kymani Smith-Daley Watford 18
Wales Jack Sykes Cardiff City
4 England Leyland Waite AFC Bournemouth 17
5 Eritrea Siem Eyob-Abraha Sheffield United 14
6 England Benji McWilliams-Marcano Peterborough United 13
England Raynon Richman Charlton Athletic
England Bolu Shofowoke Peterborough United
9 Wales Mannie Barton Cardiff City 12
Wales Harvey Gray Swansea City
Wales Zac Jagielka Hull City
England Ellis McMillan Charlton Athletic
Close

Hat-tricks

As of 11 April 2026
More information Player, For ...
PlayerForAgainstResultDateRef.
Wales Zac Jagielka4Hull CityQueens Park Rangers6–0 (H)20 September 2025[39]
England Bolu ShofowokePeterborough UnitedCoventry City4–1 (H)27 September 2025[40]
England Charlie LiddellSheffield WednesdayWigan Athletic4–1 (H)17 October 2025[41]
England Josh OcayaHull CitySheffield Wednesday6–1 (H)6 December 2025[42]
England Will Wright4MillwallWatford4–4 (H)17 January 2026[43]
England Jacob HansonBrentfordBristol City8–0 (H)17 January 2026[44]
Republic of Ireland Joshua WrightQueens Park RangersColchester United4–1 (H)14 February 2026[45]
England Riley McLachlan4Sheffield UnitedPeterborough United3–5 (A)21 February 2026[46]
Wales Jack SykesCardiff CityBrentford0–3 (A)28 February 2026[47]
England Jai Nwosu4BrentfordHuddersfield Town7–5 (H)21 March 2026[48]
England Leyland Waite4AFC BournemouthSwansea City5–1 (H)1 April 2026[49]
England Dane NdimukumAFC BournemouthPeterborough United4–7 (A)11 April 2026[50]
Close
Note

(H) – Home; (A) – Away
4 – player scored 4 goals

EFL Youth Alliance

Quick facts Season, Champions ...
Football League Youth Alliance
Season2025-26
ChampionsNortheast Division
Grimsby Town
North West Division
Shrewsbury Town
South East Division
AFC Wimbledon
South West Division
Oxford United
Play-off Champion
AFC Wimbledon
Matches627
Goals2,371 (3.78 per match)
Biggest home winStevenage 10–1 Cheltenham Town
(1 November 2025)
Oxford United 9–0 Barnet
(1 November 2025)
Biggest away winBristol Rovers 0–9 Stevenage
(22 November 2025)
Highest scoringPlymouth Argyle 7–5 Cheltenham Town
(18 April 2026)
Longest winning run14 games
AFC Wimbledon
(15 November 2025 – 21 March 2026)
Longest unbeaten run17 games
AFC Wimbledon
(15 November 2025 – 11 April 2026)
Longest winless run14 games
Newport County
(13 September 2025 – 21 February 2026)
Longest losing run7 games
Exeter City
(9 August 2025 – 27 September 2025)
Swindon Town
(16 August 2025 – 27 September 2025)
Notts County
(10 October 2025 – 10 January 2026)
All statistics correct as of 10 May 2026.
Close

League 2 is run by the Football League under the auspices of the Football League Youth Alliance. This is for academies that are Category Three and Four in the EPPP. The competition consists of the Under-18 sides from the Category Three and Category Four Academy Clubs of the EFL and Premier League, along with selected National League Clubs. 42 Academies competed this season, 2 fewer than the previous season. For clubs that get relegated to the National League, they have two years to gain promotion back to the EFL. Otherwise, they lose their license with the League. Hartlepool United and Rochdale did not return after their parent club lost their EPPP license and would not participate this season. For clubs that get relegated to the National League, they have two years to gain promotion back to the EFL. Otherwise, they lose their license with the League. Accrington Stanley[51] closed their academy dues to costs and won't be participating as well, and Morecambe temporarily closed their academy due to being suspended by the National League temporarily, Harrogate Town moved to the National League U19s, and Huddersfield Town academy was upgraded to Category 2 status.[38] Barnet and Oldham Athletic joined after their first team was promoted. In the Academy category front Wrexham was promoted from Category Four to Category Three. Wycombe Wanderers joins the Youth Alliance as a Category Four academy for the first time since 2011/2012.[52] The format returned to the Division format and the winners of the divisions would play in a 4 team playoff to determine the national champion.

League stage

North West Division

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Shrewsbury Town (C) 31 20 4 7 85 50 +35 64
2 Preston North End 31 19 5 7 65 45 +20 62
3 Bolton Wanderers 31 17 4 10 57 41 +16 55
4 Wrexham 31 16 6 9 82 52 +30 54
5 Carlisle United 31 15 4 12 71 59 +12 49
6 Stockport County 31 14 2 15 76 64 +12 44
7 Blackpool 31 12 8 11 58 49 +9 44
8 Salford City 31 12 5 14 59 59 0 41
9 Port Vale 31 12 3 16 52 68 −16 39
10 Oldham Athletic 31 10 6 15 38 56 −18 36
11 Morecambe 31 9 7 15 51 76 −25 34
12 Walsall 31 8 3 20 42 70 −28 27
Close
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2026. Source: soccerway.com
(C) Champions

North East Division

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Grimsby Town (C) 28 17 8 3 62 31 +31 59
2 Mansfield Town 28 12 11 5 48 34 +14 47
3 Burton Albion 28 12 3 13 53 64 −11 39
4 Chesterfield 28 10 6 12 39 45 −6 36
5 Lincoln City 28 10 4 14 49 53 −4 34
6 Bradford City 28 10 3 15 43 51 −8 33
7 Doncaster Rovers 28 8 7 13 43 50 −7 31
8 Notts County 28 9 3 16 39 65 −26 30
9 Rotherham United 28 8 2 18 31 61 −30 26
Close
Updated to match(es) played on Completed. Source: soccerway.com
(C) Champions

South West Division

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Oxford United (C) 28 16 5 7 63 37 +26 53
2 Plymouth Argyle 28 13 3 12 53 63 −10 42
3 Swindon Town 28 11 3 14 49 64 −15 36
4 Cheltenham Town 28 11 1 16 52 78 −26 34
5 Exeter City 28 9 4 15 52 62 −10 31
6 Portsmouth 28 9 3 16 48 65 −17 30
7 Bristol Rovers 28 9 2 17 43 88 −45 29
8 Newport County 28 6 6 16 35 58 −23 24
9 Forest Green Rovers 28 6 6 16 35 60 −25 24
Close
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2026. Source: soccerway.com
(C) Champions

South East Division

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AFC Wimbledon (C) 31 24 3 4 82 26 +56 75
2 Cambridge United 31 19 3 9 81 53 +28 60
3 Luton Town 31 17 6 8 85 54 +31 57
4 Stevenage 31 16 7 8 77 39 +38 55
5 Leyton Orient 31 16 4 11 71 63 +8 52
6 Bromley 31 15 5 11 62 55 +7 50
7 Gillingham 31 15 3 13 66 61 +5 48
8 Wycombe Wanderers 31 12 8 11 59 51 +8 44
9 Sutton United 31 13 4 14 47 48 −1 43
10 Barnet 31 11 7 13 57 72 −15 40
11 Northampton Town 31 10 7 14 53 49 +4 37
12 Milton Keynes Dons 31 5 8 18 49 73 −24 23
Close
Updated to match(es) played on 4 May 2026. Source: soccerway.com
(C) Champions

Play-off Stage

Semifinals

EFL Youth Alliance North Final
More information Grimsby Town, 1–3 ...
Grimsby Town1–3Shrewsbury Town
  • Jack 55'
  • Hall 45+'
  • Hardeman 88'
  • Aiston 90+'
Close
Linden Club, Grimsby
EFL Youth Alliance South Final
More information AFC Wimbledon, 3–0 ...
AFC Wimbledon3–0Oxford United
  • Kirby 12'
  • Ashamu 48'
  • Kedwell 66'
Close
Kings College Sports Ground, New Malden

EFL Youth Alliance National Final

More information Shrewsbury Town, 0–2 ...
Shrewsbury Town0–2AFC Wimbledon
  • Kirby 6' (pen.)
  • Sealey 64'
Close
Attendance: 798

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks