Venues, dates, kick-off times and ticket prices have now been confirmed for all three of our Vertu Trophy group stage matches.

We will kick-off our first Vertu Trophy campaign since 2018/19 by hosting newly promoted League Two side Barnet at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday 2nd September (7.30pm kick-off).

Former Hatter Dean Brennan is at the helm of the Bees, who re-enter the competition for the first time since 2017/18 after gaining 102 points on their way to the National League title last season.

Next, we travel to recently relegated Cambridge United on Tuesday 7th October (7pm kick-off), whose four-season stay in League One came to an end last term.

The 2001/02 runners-up finished second in their group last time out before being knocked out by Cheltenham in the round of 32. The U’s will be competing in the Vertu Trophy for their 11th consecutive season.

Southern Group H concludes when we host Brighton & Hove Albion’s Under-21 side at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday 28th October (7pm kick-off).

Ticket prices for all three fixtures have been set, and tickets will be released in due course:

Barnet and Brighton (H)

£5 adults, £1 under-16s

Cambridge United (A)

£14 adults, £8 concessions*, £5 under-18s

* Seniors (64+), Young Adults (18-23), Serving or Retired Armed Forces and Full-Time Students

COMPETITION FORMAT

The top two from each group progress to the knockout stages, with Vertu Trophy fixtures remaining regionalised until the Quarter-Final stage.

Matches level after ninety minutes will be determined by penalty kicks up to the Semi-Final stage.

HOW TO WATCH FROM HOME

The EFL’s domestic rights deal with broadcaster Sky Sports will see every Vertu Trophy match broadcast live on Sky Sports for fans in the UK.