ALL THE KEY INFO FOR THE COMING SEASON:

KEY DATES

Invited clubs announced in June;

Group stage fixture draw in July;

First group stage matches to take place w/c August 28.

GROUP STAGES

16 groups of four teams; Each group to contain one invited team;

Groups formed to minimise overall travel for EFL clubs and fans;

Invited under-21 teams to play all group games away;

Clubs will be awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw;

In the event of a drawn game after 90 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will be held with the victorious team gaining an extra point.

Two clubs qualify from each group.

KNOCK-OUT ROUNDS

Round two will remain regionalised with group winners at home against a second placed team from a different qualifying group;

Round three will remain regionalised;

Quarter-Finals will be drawn without geographical restriction (no regionalisation);

If scores are level after 90 minutes, all knock-out rounds will be decided by penalties except for the final, which will have extratime and then penalties. Competition Fund

2017/18

Each EFL Club to receive a participation fee of £20,000 in addition to the following competition fund:

Group Stage £10k for a win and £5k for a draw;

Round Two = £20k for a win;

Round Three = £40k for a win;

Quarter-Final = £50k for a win; Runner-up = £50k; Winner = £100k.

COMPETITION STATS 16/17

1,529 players appeared in the competition;

381 were English and under the age of 21 (24.9%):

212 were English between the age of 21-23 (13.9%);

138 players from invited teams were English and under the age of 21 (9%).