The 2016–17 Premier League Cup was the fourth edition of the competition, and the first since it was renamed from the U21 Premier League Cup following the age limit being increased to under-23.
Participants 37 teams participated this year's competition. 12 fewer than last year. Brentford, Chelsea, Exeter City left after last years competition, while Bolton Wanderers, Crewe Alexandra, Doncaster Rovers, Gillingham, Leeds United, Millwall, Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle, Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers, and Sheffield Wednesday did not return after 3 years in the competition. Only Manchester City returned after last year's absence. Only Portsmouth was the new team that joined the competition for the very first time.
Category 1 Blackburn Rovers Brighton & Hove Albion Derby County Everton Fulham Leicester City Liverpool Manchester City Middlesbrough Newcastle United Norwich City Reading Southampton Stoke City Sunderland Swansea City West Bromwich Albion West Ham United Wolverhampton Wanderers
Category 2 Barnsley Birmingham City Bristol City Cardiff City Charlton Athletic Colchester United Huddersfield Town Hull City Ipswich Town Nottingham Forest Sheffield United Watford
Category 3 AFC Bournemouth Burnley Portsmouth Southend United Wigan Athletic AFC Wimbledon
Qualifying rounds Two qualifying rounds were required to finalise the 32 teams that would enter the Group Stage. The First Qualifying Round consisted of the six EPPP Category 3 academy sides, with the three winners progressing to the next round.
In the Second Qualifying Round, the three winners were joined by Barnsley and Watford (the two teams who finished bottom of their respective Category 2 leagues in 2015/16). Of the five teams in the Second Qualifying Round draw, one received a bye straight to the Group Stage, with the two winners joining them.
First qualifying round
Second qualifying round
Group stage The draw for the group stage took place on 6 September 2016. Teams play each other twice, with the group winners and runners–up advance to the round of 16.
Results
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Knockout stages Round of 16
Quarter–final
Semi–final
Final
|colspan=4|Substitutes:
|colspan=4|Coach: Cameron Toshack
|colspan=4|Substitutes:
|colspan=4|Coach: Martin Kuhl
See also 2016–17 Professional U23 Development League 2016–17 FA Youth Cup
References