While the elitists are getting caught up in league phase nonsense and fretting over star players getting tired legs in the Carabao Cup, clubs that make up the EFL's heart and soul are fighting for the right to enjoy a day out at Wembley.
The EFL Trophy has taken on many forms since its inaugural edition in 1981/82, and the competition's latest sponsor means you'll probably hear incessant chants of "Bristol Street Motors Trophy champions, you'll never sing that!" on any given matchday outside Peterborough's London Road.
The League One outfit are the current holders of the trophy after they downed Wycombe 2-1 in the 2024 final under the iconic arch.
The 2024/25 EFL Trophy is entering the knockout phase following three rounds of group stage action. Here's everything you need to know about the round of 32 draw, as well as the potential favourites to go all the way in this season's competition.
When is the 2024/25 EFL Trophy round of 32 draw?
The final EFL Trophy group game takes place on Tuesday 19 November and the first knockout round is scheduled to kick off on w/c 9 December 2024.
The round of 32 draw is scheduled to take place after Bradford's clash with Rotherham on Tuesday night.
How does the 2024/25 EFL Trophy round of 32 work?
As was the case with the group stages, the EFL Trophy round of 32 will be regionalised.
16 teams have progressed from both the Northern and Southern sections, with the seeded group winners being paired against an unseeded runner-up. Northern group winners will face Northern group runners-up, while Southern group winners will meet Southern group runners-up in the round of 32.
The seeded teams will be drawn at home.
What teams have qualified for the 2024/25 EFL Trophy round of 32?
League One and Two outfits dominate the 2024/25 EFL Trophy round of 32. Of the 16 Premier League U21 teams to compete in the group stage, only one finished in the top two of their group (Aston Villa):
Team | Method of qualification |
|---|---|
Stockport | Northern Group A winners |
Tranmere | Northern Group A runners-up |
Wrexham | Northern Group B winners |
Port Vale | Northern Group B runners-up |
Morecambe | Northern Group C winners |
Wigan | Northern Group C runners-up |
Bolton | Northern Group D winners |
Aston Villa U21 | Northern Group D runners-up |
Blackpool | Northern Group E winners |
Crewe | Northern Group E runners-up |
Doncaster | Northern Group F winners |
Huddersfield | Northern Group F runners-up |
Chesterfield | Northern Group G winners |
Lincoln | Northern Group G runners-up |
Rotherham | Northern Group H winners |
Bradford | Northern Group H runners-up |
Walsall | Southern Group A winners |
Birmingham | Southern Group A runners-up |
Wycombe | Southern Group B winners |
AFC Wimbledon | Southern Group B runners-up |
Charlton | Southern Group C winners |
Cambridge | Southern Group C runners-up |
Peterborough | Southern Group D winners |
Stevenage | Southern Group D runners-up |
Colchester | Southern Group E winners |
Leyton Orient | Southern Group E runners-up |
Burton Albion | Southern Group F winners |
Northampton | Southern Group F runners-up |
Exeter | Southern Group G winners |
Swindon | Southern Group G runners-up |
Cheltenham | Southern Group H winners |
Reading | Southern Group H runners-up |
Who are the favourites to win the 2024/25 EFL Trophy?
League One galacticos Birmingham City didn't have it all their own way in the group stage, but they've progressed into the round of 32 and are the current favourites to win the competition.
The Blues' overwhelming priority this season is a return to the Championship. Still, they doubtlessly boast the resources to compete on multiple fronts. Once Tom Brady catches wind of the opportunity to claim silverware, Birmingham will surely go all guns blazing in the hope of winning their third EFL Trophy and first since 1995.
Wycombe Wanderers were beaten finalists last time out but appear even stronger in 2024/25. They're set to be locked in a thrilling League One title race with the cash-rich Birmingham this term and could battle the Blues for glory in this competition, too. Wrexham were also impressive in the group stages and have proven that they belong in the third tier at the start of the new season. The Welsh outfit aren't shy of a cup run either, and they'll fancy their chances of going deep in the EFL Trophy.
History would suggest that Peterborough, currently residing in mid-table of the third-tier, are unlikely to go back-to-back. In EFL Trophy history, no team has ever won consecutive titles. Blackpool won two in the space of three years between 2002 and 2004, but that's as close as any team has come.
When is the 2025 EFL Trophy final?
The 2024/25 EFL Trophy final has been pencilled in for Sunday 13 April 2025 at Wembley. It's typically a grand occasion, with over 85,000 in attendance for Portsmouth's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Sunderland in 2019.
Over 42,000 watched on as Peterborough claimed their second EFL Trophy crown earlier this year.
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