Country England Wales Dates 29 Aug 2016 – 2 Apr 2017 Teams 64 | Defending champions Barnsley Location England, United Kingdom | |
Similar 2016–17 EFL Cup, 2016–17 EFL League O, 2016–17 FA Cup, 2013–14 Football League T, 2011–12 Football League O |
The 2016–17 EFL Trophy, known as the Checkatrade Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is the 33rd season in the history of the competition and the 1st since being rebranded from Football League Trophy. It is played as a knock-out tournament for English football clubs in League One and League Two of the English football system and for the first time has expanded to include 16 Premier League and Championship "B Teams" with Category One status as part of a trial.
Contents
- Change in format
- Participating clubs
- Eligibility criteria for players
- Dates
- Group Stage
- Knockout stage
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Quarter finals
- Semi finals
- Match proceeds
- References
In all, 64 clubs will enter the competition. Barnsley are the reigning champions, but are unable to defend their title following promotion to the Championship.
Change in format
On 9 June 2016, the newly rebranded EFL announced that the 2016–17 EFL Trophy competition would include sixteen "category 1 Premier League academy sides" for the first time. The first knockout round would also be replaced with a new group stage, the sixteen regional groups each to comprise three League One/Two teams plus an academy side, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout second round.
Following the EFL's announcement of these format changes, many of the invited clubs declined to allow their academies to participate, and their places had to filled by the academy sides of several Championship clubs.
Reception to the new format by League One and Two fans was overwhelmingly negative. The opening rounds of fixtures were marked by record low attendances, and the format changes were described as "a complete and utter failure".
Participating clubs
Arsenal !Arsenal, Liverpool !Liverpool, Manchester United !Manchester United, Manchester City !Manchester City, Newcastle United !Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur !Tottenham Hotspur declined to participate.
Eligibility criteria for players
Dates
The competition dates were announced in July 2016.
Group Stage
Knockout stage
If scores are level after 90 minutes in Rounds 2, 3 and 4, the game will be determined by the taking of penalties.
Round 2
The Round 2 draw was made on 10 November 2016. The 32 remaining teams were drawn into 16 ties; each group winner will be at home to a runner-up from a different group within their own region.
Round 3
The Round 3 draw was made on 8 December 2016. The 16 remaining teams were drawn into 8 ties as a "free draw."
Quarter-finals
The Quarter-final draw took place for 12 January 2017. The 8 remaining teams were drawn into 4 ties as a "free draw."
Semi-finals
The Semi-final draw took place for 26 January 2017. The 4 remaining teams were drawn into 2 ties as a "free draw."
Match proceeds
After deduction of match expenses, all proceeds will be split: