Editing EFL Trophy

{{short description|Association football tournament in England}}
{{distinguish|text = the [[EFL Cup]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox football tournament
| image                = EFL Trophy.png
| imagesize            = 200px
| caption              = Current logo
| organiser            = [[English Football League]]
| region               = {{hlist|England|Wales}}
| founded              = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1981}} (as the Football League Group Cup)
| number of teams      = 64
| current champions    = [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]]<br>(3rd title)
| most successful club = [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]<br>[[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]]<br>(3 titles each)
| current              = [[2024–25 EFL Trophy]]
}}

The '''English Football League Trophy''', officially known as the '''[[Vertu Motors|Vertu]] Trophy''' for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English [[association football|football]] [[knockout competition]] open to all clubs in [[EFL League One]] and [[EFL League Two]] and [[Professional Development League|U-21]] teams from the [[Premier League]] and the [[EFL Championship]].<ref name="trial">{{Cite web|date=10 June 2016|title=Premier League trial for the Trophy|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/premier-league-trial-for-the-trophy/|website=[[English Football League]]|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081855/http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/premier-league-trial-for-the-trophy-3140598.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Launched in the [[1981–82 in English football|1981–82 football season]] as the '''Football League Group Cup''', it was a replacement for the [[Anglo-Scottish Cup]], which had been discontinued after the withdrawal of [[Scottish League]] clubs.<ref name=rsssf>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/texaco.html |title=List of Texaco/Anglo-Scottish/Football League Group Cup Finals at RSSSF |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-date=21 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045939/http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/texaco.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It reconstituted as '''Associate Members' Cup''' during the [[1983–84 in English football|1983–84 season]]. The competition was renamed the '''Football League Trophy''' in 1992 after a reorganisation following the formation of the [[Premier League]] and again as the current ''EFL Trophy'' in 2016 due to The Football League changing its name to the [[English Football League]].<ref name="trial" />

The current competition begins with 16 regional groups, each containing 4 teams and divided between northern and southern sections depending on the clubs' geographic locations. The top two from each group qualify for the knockout stages before the two winners meet in late March or early April in the final at [[Wembley Stadium]]. Some [[The Midlands|Midlands]] and [[East Anglia]]n clubs fluctuate between the north and south each season for every draw. Other details have varied over the years, including in some years inviting clubs from the [[National League (division)|National League]], and holding a round-robin group stage before moving into knockout rounds.
 
The most successful clubs are [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] and [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]], who have lifted the trophy three times each. The current winners are Peterborough United, who beat [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] 2–0 in the [[2025 EFL Trophy final|2025 final]].

==History==
A secondary football league competition was launched in the 1981–82 football season as the Football League Group Cup, which ran as an invitation tournament for 32 clubs from all four levels of the football league. The format was a group stage and knockout tournament. This format ran for two seasons.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Bateson|editor-first1=Bill|editor-last2=Sewell |editor-first2=Albert|title=News of the World Football Annual 1992–93|publisher=Invincible Press|date=1992|isbn=9780855431884|location=London|page=211}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=20 December 2007|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/texaco.html|website=[[RSSSF]]|title=Football League Group Cup/Trophy 1982-83|first=James M.|last=Ross|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045939/http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/texaco.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 1983–84 season the tournament was reconstituted as the ''Associate Members' Cup''. The group stage was removed and open only to teams from levels 3 and 4 of the football pyramid. The group stage was subsequently reintroduced in 1985 and later removed in 1996. In 2016 the group stage was brought back. Between 2000 and 2006 teams from [[National League (English football)|level 5 (step 1) of the football pyramid]] were invited to participate.

In 1992 the tournament rebranded as the ''Football League Trophy'', coinciding with a reorganization following the decision of the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] clubs at the time to form the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|title=English Autoglass Trophy 1991–1992: Results|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1991-1992/results|website=Statto|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-date=17 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317032505/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1991-1992/results|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016 the competition rebranded to the current ''EFL Trophy'' after The Football League rebranding as the [[English Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 November 2015|title=FOOTBALL LEAGUE TO BE RE-NAMED THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE|url=http://www.efl.com/news/article/2015/football-league-to-be-re-named-the-english-football-league-2798210.aspx|website=[[English Football League]]|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810201223/http://www.efl.com/news/article/2015/football-league-to-be-re-named-the-english-football-league-2798210.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2016–17 EFL Trophy|The first season under the new name]] saw 16 [[Elite Player Performance Plan|Category One]] academies of [[Premier League]] and [[EFL Championship]] clubs join the competition.<ref>{{cite web|date=10 June 2016|title=Premier League academy teams to be added to EFL Trophy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36503204|website=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=1 August 2020|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102091214/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36503204|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023 participating clubs received a £20,000 participation fee, with £10,000 per victory and £5,000 per draw in the group stage, and increasing prizes for the knockout matches up to £100,000 for winning the final.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Unwin |first=Will |date=2023-10-10 |title='There is a bigger picture': why teams still want a cut of the EFL Trophy |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/10/prize-money-and-player-development-why-the-efl-trophy-is-on-the-rise |access-date=2023-11-06 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Formats==
===Football League Group Cup===
====1981 to 1983====
32 invited teams from the four levels of the football league were split into eight regional groups of four teams each, with three round-robin games played by each side. The eight group winners qualified for the quarter-finals, and the knockout stages were played as a single leg, with the game going to extra time and penalties if necessary. The final was played on the home ground of one of the two teams.<ref name=812-1>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1981-1982/results/r1-g1 |title=English Football League Trophy 1981-1982 First Round Group 1 |website=statto.com  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225072658/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1981-1982/results/r1-g1 |archive-date=25 December 2013 }}</ref>

===Associate Members' Cup===
====1983 to 1985====
The 48 clubs of the [[Football League Third Division|Third]] and [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]]s were split into North and South sections of 24 teams each. The first round had 12 knockout ties in each section, and the second had six. In each section, the two second-round losers with the 'narrowest' defeats were reprieved and joined the six other clubs in the regional quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1983-1984/results/s.r2|title=English Associate Members Cup 1983-1984 Southern Second Round |website=statto.com |access-date=8 December 2018|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070153/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1983-1984/results/s.r2|url-status=dead }}</ref>

====1985 to 1992====
For [[1985–86 Football League Trophy|the 1985–86 edition]], 8 three-team groups were introduced in each of the two sections. Teams played one home and one away game and the group winners proceeded to the regional knockout stages.<ref>{{cite web|title=English Freight Rover Trophy 1985-1986 Northern First Round Group 1|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1985-1986/results/n.r1-g1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070205/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1985-1986/results/n.r1-g1|archive-date=24 October 2014|website=Statto|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref> This was modified in [[1986–87 Football League Trophy|the following season]], with two teams qualifying from each group, resulting in an additional 'round of 16' knockout stage in each section.<ref>{{cite web|title=English Freight Rover Trophy 1986-1987 Southern First Round|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1986-1987/results/s.r1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070201/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1986-1987/results/s.r1|archive-date=24 October 2014|website=Statto|access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref>

===Football League Trophy===
====1992 to 1996====
For a number of seasons in the early to mid-1990s, the competition ran with seven 3-team groups, two teams in each section receiving a [[Bye (sports)|bye]] into the knockout stages. This was a direct result of the folding of [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] and [[Maidstone United F.C. (1897)|Maidstone United]] necessitating a reorganisation of the competition to accommodate fewer than 48 teams in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=English Autoglass Trophy 1993-1994 Northern First Round Group 5|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1993-1994/results/n.r1-g5|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303231120/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1993-1994/results/n.r1-g5|archive-date=3 March 2009|website=Statto|access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref>

====1996 to 2000====
The group phase was abolished for the [[1996–97 Football League Trophy|1996–97 edition]]. The regional sections were retained and 8 teams in each section received a bye to the second round.

====2000 to 2006====
For [[2000–01 Football League Trophy|the 2000–01 season]], 8 [[National League (English football)|teams in level 5 (step 1) of the football pyramid]] were invited to participate in the tournament, resulting in 12 ties in each of the north/south sections in the first round, with only four teams in each section receiving a bye into the second round. The number of invitees increased to 12 from [[2002–03 Football League Trophy|2002–03]], resulting in 14 first-round ties, and two teams in each regional section gaining a bye into the second round.

=====Invited teams=====
The teams from the Conference invited by season are as follows:<ref>[http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2004-2005/results/s.r1 2004–05 Southern 1st Rnd results, and links to other rounds/seasons – statto.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106012717/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2004-2005/results/s.r1 |date=6 January 2010 }}</ref>
* [[2000–01 Football League Trophy|2000–01]]: [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]], [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], [[Dover Athletic F.C.|Dover Athletic]], [[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]], [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]], [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]], [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]], [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]]
* [[2001–02 Football League Trophy|2001–02]]: [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]], [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]], Doncaster Rovers, [[Leigh Genesis F.C.|Leigh RMI]], Scarborough, [[Southport F.C.|Southport]], [[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage Borough]], Yeovil Town
* [[2002–03 Football League Trophy|2002–03]]: Chester City, Dagenham & Redbridge, Doncaster Rovers, [[Halifax Town A.F.C.|Halifax Town]], Hereford United, Leigh RMI, Morecambe, Scarborough, Southport, Stevenage Borough, [[Woking F.C.|Woking]], Yeovil Town
* [[2003–04 Football League Trophy|2003–04]]: Barnet, Chester City, Dagenham & Redbridge, [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]], [[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]], Halifax Town, Hereford United, Morecambe, Scarborough, [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]], Stevenage Borough, [[Telford United F.C.|Telford United]]
* [[2004–05 Football League Trophy|2004–05]]: [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]], [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]], Barnet, [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]], Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter City, Hereford United, Morecambe, Scarborough, Stevenage Borough, Woking, [[York City F.C.|York City]]
* [[2005–06 Football League Trophy|2005–06]]: Accrington Stanley, Aldershot Town, [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]], [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]], Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter City, Halifax Town, Hereford United, [[Kidderminster Harriers F.C.|Kidderminster Harriers]], Morecambe, Stevenage Borough, Woking

====2006 to 2016====
For the [[2006–07 Football League Trophy|2006–07 tournament]] onward, the Conference team invitations were abolished. This resulted in the format reverting to 8 first-round matches in each section, and 8 sides receiving byes to the second round.<ref>{{cite web|title=English LDV Vans Trophy 2002-2003 Northern First Round|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2002-2003/results/n.r1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070159/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2002-2003/results/n.r1|archive-date=24 October 2014|website=Statto|access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref>

===EFL Trophy===
====2016 to present====
64 teams enter from Round One; all 48 teams from levels three and four of the football pyramid ([[EFL League One|League One]] and [[EFL League Two|League Two]]), along with 16 category 1 Premier League and [[EFL Championship]] academy/under-21 sides. 16 regional groups of four teams split evenly 8 northern and 8 southern. Each of the groups contains one academy team. The top two from each group progress to the knockout stages; up to and including the quarter-final the tournament remains regionalised before becoming an open draw from the semi-finals onwards.<ref name="format">{{cite web |title=EFL Trophy Regulations |date=9 January 2024 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/january/09/bristol-street-motors-trophy--quarter-final-draw/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=11 January 2024 |publisher=English Football League}}</ref>

During the group phase, if the scores are level at the end of the match, then penalties are taken immediately without recourse to extra time. The winning team is awarded 2 points and the losing team 1 point.<ref name=format /> During the knock-out phase, up to but not including the final, if the scores are level at the end of the match the winner is decided by penalties. In the final, if the scores are equal after 90 minutes an extra 30 minutes are played and if still equal the winner is then decided by penalties.<ref name=format />

=====Academy teams=====
The following academy teams have competed:
* '''Current''' ([[2023–24 EFL Trophy|2023–24]]): [[Arsenal F.C. Under-23s and Academy|Arsenal]] (since 2018–19), [[Aston Villa Under-23s and Academy|Aston Villa]] (since 2019–20), [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.#Development squad and youth team|Brighton & Hove Albion]] (since 2016–17), [[Chelsea F.C. Reserves and Academy|Chelsea]] (since 2016–17), [[Crystal Palace F.C. Under-23s and Academy|Crystal Palace]] (since 2021–22), [[Everton F.C. Reserves and Academy|Everton]] (from 2016–17 to 2019–20 and since 2021–22), [[Fulham F.C. Academy|Fulham]] (from 2017–18 to 2020–21 and since 2023–24), [[Leicester City F.C. Reserves and Academy|Leicester City]] (since 2016–17), [[Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy|Liverpool]] (since 2019–20), [[Manchester City F.C. EDS and Academy|Manchester City]] (since 2017–18), [[Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy|Manchester United]] (since 2019–20), [[Newcastle United F.C. Reserves and Academy|Newcastle United]] (since 2017–18), [[Nottingham Forest F.C. Under-23s, Under-18s and Academy|Nottingham Forest]] (since 2023–24), [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Reserves and Academy|Tottenham Hotspur]] (from 2017–18 to 2019–20 and since 2021–22), [[West Ham United F.C. Reserves and Academy|West Ham United]] (since 2016–17), [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Development Squad and Academy|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] (from 2016–17 and since 2018–19)
* '''Former''': [[Blackburn Rovers F.C. Reserves and Academy|Blackburn Rovers]] (from 2016–17), [[Derby County F.C.#Under-21 squad|Derby County]] (from 2016–17), [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] (from 2016–17 and from 2019–20 to 2020–21), [[Leeds United F.C. Reserves and Youth Team|Leeds United]] (from 2021–22 to 2022–23), [[Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy|Middlesbrough]] (from 2016–17 to 2018–19), [[Reading F.C. Under-21s and Academy|Reading]] (from 2016–17 to 2017–18), [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] (from 2016–17 to 2022–23), [[Stoke City F.C. Reserves and Academy|Stoke City]] (from 2016–17 to 2018–19), [[Sunderland A.F.C. Reserves and Academy|Sunderland]] (from 2016–17 to 2017–18), [[Swansea City A.F.C. Under-21s|Swansea City]] (from 2016–17 to 2018–19), [[West Bromwich Albion]] (from 2016–17 to 2018–19 and from 2020–21)

==Finals==
{{main|List of EFL Trophy finals}}

===Venue===
The final of the EFL Trophy is currently held at [[Wembley Stadium]] in [[London]], the English national stadium. The final in 1984 was due to be played at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|the then Wembley Stadium]], but owing to damage caused to the pitch during the [[Horse of the Year Show]], it was moved to [[Boothferry Park]] in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7674863.stm |title=Harry Redknapp comments on ''BBC Radio Solent'' |date=17 October 2008 |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-date=20 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020112317/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7674863.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Football League Group Cup finals were played at [[Blundell Park]] in 1982 and [[Sincil Bank]] in 1983. From 2001 to 2007, during the rebuilding of the former Wembley, the Football League Trophy finals were played at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]].{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

===Winners===
List of tournament winners:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/competitions/vertu-trophy/previous-finals/ |title=Previous Finals |publisher=EFL |access-date=14 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/cups/flgroupcupsummary.htm |title=Football League Group Cup Summary (1981–1983) |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/cups/fltrophysummary.htm |title=Football League Trophy Summary (1983–2016) |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[1981–82 Football League Group Cup|1981–82]]: [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]]
*[[1982–83 Football League Trophy|1982–83]]: [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
*[[1983–84 Football League Trophy|1983–84]]: [[AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth]]
*[[1984–85 Football League Trophy|1984–85]]: [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]
*[[1985–86 Football League Trophy|1985–86]]: [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]
*[[1986–87 Football League Trophy|1986–87]]: [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]]
*[[1987–88 Football League Trophy|1987–88]]: [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
*[[1988–89 Football League Trophy|1988–89]]: [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
*[[1989–90 Football League Trophy|1989–90]]: [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]
*[[1990–91 Football League Trophy|1990–91]]: [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]
*[[1991–92 Football League Trophy|1991–92]]: [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
*[[1992–93 Football League Trophy|1992–93]]: [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]]
*[[1993–94 Football League Trophy|1993–94]]: [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]
*[[1994–95 Football League Trophy|1994–95]]: [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (2)
*[[1995–96 Football League Trophy|1995–96]]: [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]
*[[1996–97 Football League Trophy|1996–97]]: [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]]
*[[1997–98 Football League Trophy|1997–98]]: [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] (2)
*[[1998–99 Football League Trophy|1998–99]]: [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] (2)
*[[1999–2000 Football League Trophy|1999–2000]]: [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] (2)
*[[2000–01 Football League Trophy|2000–01]]: [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] (2)
*[[2001–02 Football League Trophy|2001–02]]: [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
*[[2002–03 Football League Trophy|2002–03]]: [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] (2)
*[[2003–04 Football League Trophy|2003–04]]: [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (2)
*[[2004–05 Football League Trophy|2004–05]]: [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]]
*[[2005–06 Football League Trophy|2005–06]]: [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] (2)
*[[2006–07 Football League Trophy|2006–07]]: [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]]
*[[2007–08 Football League Trophy|2007–08]]: [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]]
*[[2008–09 Football League Trophy|2008–09]]: [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]]
*[[2009–10 Football League Trophy|2009–10]]: [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
*[[2010–11 Football League Trophy|2010–11]]: [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] (2)
*[[2011–12 Football League Trophy|2011–12]]: [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]]
*[[2012–13 Football League Trophy|2012–13]]: [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
*[[2013–14 Football League Trophy|2013–14]]: [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]]
*[[2014–15 Football League Trophy|2014–15]]: [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] (3)
*[[2015–16 Football League Trophy|2015–16]]: [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]]
*[[2016–17 EFL Trophy|2016–17]]: [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
*[[2017–18 EFL Trophy|2017–18]]: [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]
*[[2018–19 EFL Trophy|2018–19]]: [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
*[[2019–20 EFL Trophy|2019–20]]: [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]]
*[[2020–21 EFL Trophy|2020–21]]: [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
*[[2021–22 EFL Trophy|2021–22]]: [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] (2) 
*[[2022–23 EFL Trophy|2022–23]]: [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] (2)
*[[2023–24 EFL Trophy|2023–24]]: [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (2)
*[[2024–25 EFL Trophy|2024–25]]: [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (3)
{{div col end}}

==Records==
===Attendances===
The overall record attendance for the final is 85,021, set at the [[Wembley Stadium]] in 2019 by [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. The record attendance for the final at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|the original Wembley Stadium]] was 80,841, set in the [[1988 Football League Trophy Final|1988 final]] between [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] and [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/02/25/wolves-a-trip-down-wembley-lane/ | newspaper=Express & Star | title=Wolves - A trip down Wembley lane | date=25 February 2015 | access-date=9 July 2015 | archive-date=10 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710211634/http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/02/25/wolves-a-trip-down-wembley-lane/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The record attendance for the final at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]] was 59,024, set in the [[2007 Football League Trophy Final|2007 final]] between [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] and [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6514043.stm | title=Bristol Rovers 2-3 Doncaster AET | work=[[BBC Sport]] | first=Ian | last=Hughes | date=2007-04-01 | access-date=2019-04-01 | archive-date=24 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124042558/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6514043.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>  The 2020 and 2021 finals were played behind closed doors, but clubs raised money for charity by selling supporters virtual tickets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Finalists' fundraisers a huge success|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2021/march/finalists-fundraisers-a-huge-success/|access-date=2021-03-10|website=www.efl.com|language=en-gb|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412010321/https://www.efl.com/news/2021/march/finalists-fundraisers-a-huge-success/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="background:#00529c;" colspan="7"| <span style="color:white;">EFL Trophy final attendance records</span>
|-
! Stadium
! Attendance record
! Year (Final)
! Winner
! Finalist 
! Result
|-
| [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley Stadium (new)]] || 85,021 || [[2019 EFL Trophy final|2019]] || [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] || [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] || 2–2 (5–4 [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|pen.]])
|-
| [[Millennium Stadium]] || 59,024 || [[2007 Football League Trophy final|2007]] || [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] || [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] || 3–2 ([[Extra-time|a.e.t.]])
|-
| [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium (old)]] || 80,841 || [[1988 Football League Trophy final|1988]] || [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] || [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] || 2–0
|}
 
The highest attendance for any game apart from the final came on 5 February 2013 for the Northern Area final, when [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] lost to [[Crewe Alexandra]] 3–0 at the [[Ricoh Arena]] in Coventry (they later won the away leg 2–0, going down 3–2 on aggregate), in front of a crowd of 31,054.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coventry 0–3 Crewe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21241386|work=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2013|access-date=2 May 2013|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113015134/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21241386|url-status=live}}</ref>

The lowest attendance in the history of the competition (excluding those affected by pandemic restrictions) came during the 2018–19 season when just 202 attended a [[Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy|Middlesbrough academy team]]'s 1–0 victory against [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]] in November 2018 at Burton's [[Pirelli Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com.au/football/match?gameId=523999 | title = 2018/19 EFL Trophy, Group Stage: Burton Albion vs Middlesbrough U21 | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = 2018-11-08 | access-date = 2019-04-01 | archive-date = 1 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105244/http://www.espn.com.au/football/match?gameId=523999 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/portsmouth-sunderland-worst-checkatrade-efl-trophy-final | title=Why Portsmouth vs Sunderland is the worst possible EFL Trophy final | publisher=www.fourfourtwo.com | first=Chris | last=Weatherspoon | date=2019-03-29 | access-date=2019-04-01 | archive-date=1 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401070801/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/portsmouth-sunderland-worst-checkatrade-efl-trophy-final | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sponsors==
From 1984 to the present (except from 1981–84), the League Trophy has attracted title [[English football sponsorship|sponsorship]], giving it the following names:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;"
|-
! Period
! Sponsor
! Name
! Trophy
|-
| 1981–1982
|rowspan="3" {{N/A}}
| Football League Group Cup
|rowspan="3" | Original
|- 
| 1982–1983
| Football League Trophy
|-
| 1983–1984
| Associate Members Cup
|-
| 1984–1987
| [[Freight Rover]]
| Freight Rover Trophy
|rowspan="5" | Unknown
|-
| 1987–1989
| [[LDV Group]]
| [[LDV Pilot#History|Sherpa Van]] Trophy
|-
| 1989–1992
| [[Leyland DAF]]
| Leyland DAF Cup
|-
| 1992–1994
| [[Autoglass]]
| Autoglass Trophy
|-
| 1994–2000
| [[Auto Windscreens]] 
| Auto Windscreens Shield
|-
| 2000–2007
| [[LDV Group]]
| LDV Vans Trophy{{efn|LDV Vans entered administration in 2007 and the final in March 2007 was branded as the Football League Trophy Final}}
| rowspan="7" | Original
|-
| 2007–2016
| [[PPG Industries]]
| Johnstone's Paint Trophy
|-
| 2016–2019
| [[Checkatrade.com]]
| Checkatrade Trophy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/august/efl-trophy-checkatrade-check-in-as-trophy-title-sponsor-/|title=EFL Trophy: Checkatrade check in as trophy title sponsor|publisher=English Football League|date=28 August 2016|access-date=30 October 2020|archive-date=18 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018074658/http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/checkatrade-check-in-as-trophy-title-sponsor-3225432.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2019–2020
| Leasing.com
| Leasing.com Trophy{{efn|Since Leasing.com no longer sponsored the competition in 2021, and the 2020 final was delayed by an entire year, the 2019–20 final was actually branded as the 2020 [[Papa John's Pizza|Papa John's]] Trophy Final}}
|-
| 2020–2023
| [[Papa John's]]
| Papa Johns Trophy<ref>{{cite web|date=1 April 2021|title=All you need to know ahead of the Papa Johns Trophy Final|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/april/all-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-the-papa-johns-trophy-final/|publisher=[[English Football League]]|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401091428/https://www.efl.com/news/2022/april/all-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-the-papa-johns-trophy-final/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Originally branded as ''Papa John's Trophy''<ref>{{cite web|date=28 October 2020|title=Papa John's becomes Title Sponsor of the EFL Trophy|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2020/october/papa-johns-becomes-title-sponsor-of-the-efl-trophy/|publisher=[[English Football League]]|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127164625/https://www.efl.com/news/2020/october/papa-johns-becomes-title-sponsor-of-the-efl-trophy/|url-status=live}}</ref> before dropping the apostrophe during the 2021–22 season.|title=Papa Johns to End EFL Trophy Sponsorship|https://www.burndenaces.co.uk/2023/03/25/papa-johns-to-end-efl-trophy-sponsorship.html}}
|-
| 2023–2024
| rowspan="2" | [[Vertu Motors]]
| Bristol Street Motors Trophy<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2023|title=Bristol Street Motors drives EFL Trophy into new era |url=https://efl.com/news/2023/november/02/bristol-street-motors-drives-efl-trophy-into-new-era/ |access-date=2 November 2023 |publisher=English Football League}}</ref>{{efn|The branding did not come into effect until after the group stage of the 2023–24 competition. As such, the competition was referred to as "EFL Trophy" in the early stages with the later rounds referred to as "Bristol Street Motors Trophy".}}
|-
|2024–2026
|Vertu Trophy<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2024|title=Bristol Street Motors Trophy renamed Vertu Trophy |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/november/21/bristol-street-motors-trophy-renamed-vertu-trophy/ |access-date=21 November 2024 |publisher=English Football League}}</ref>
|}
{{notelist}}

==See also==
*[[Full Members' Cup]]
*[[Football League Third Division North Cup]]
*[[Football League Third Division South Cup]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|https://www.efl.com/competitions/bristol-street-motors-trophy}}

{{EFL Trophy}}
{{Football in England}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:EFL Trophy}}
[[Category:EFL Trophy| ]]
[[Category:Football cup competitions in England]]
[[Category:English Football League]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1984]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Wales]]