The 2026–27 Thai U21 League was the 3rd season of the Youngster League and the second to be played under the under-21 format, officially known for sponsorship reasons as the PEA U21 Youngster League, named after the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). Organised by the Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand) and Thai League Co., Ltd., the competition features 16 clubs divided into two groups. Each team plays every other team in its group twice, once at home and once away, and each team in the other group once, either at home or away. The competition is primarily for Thai players under the age of 21, with each club permitted to field up to three over-age Thai players and one foreign player, while at least seven eligible Thai U21 players must be on the field. After the league stage, teams finishing in the same position in each group play each other in a single match to determine the final standings, with the first-placed teams contesting the championship. The season runs from 15 September 2026 to TBD.
Format The competition consists of two stages: the league stage and the ranking matches.
League stage The 16 participating clubs are divided into two groups of eight. Each club plays every other club in its group twice, once at home and once away. Each club also plays every club in the other group once, either at home or away, giving each club a total of 22 matches during the league stage.
Three points are awarded for a win. If a match is drawn after 90 minutes, the winner is determined by a penalty shoot-out. The team winning the penalty shoot-out receives two points, while the losing team receives one point. Goals scored during the penalty shoot-out are not counted in the league standings.
At the end of the league stage, the clubs in each group are ranked according to their accumulated points. In the event of a tie on points, the ranking criteria are applied in the following order:
Overall goal difference Overall goals scored Points in head-to-head matches, or mini-league points when more than two clubs are tied Goal difference in head-to-head matches, or mini-league Goals scored in head-to-head matches, or mini-league Fair play points based on accumulated yellow and red cards
Once a criterion separates the tied clubs, subsequent criteria are not considered.
Ranking matches After the league stage, clubs finishing in the same position in the two groups are paired against each other in a single ranking match. The first-placed clubs play for the championship, with the winner crowned league champion and the loser finishing second.
From third place onwards, the remaining pairs play to determine the final standings. The winner of each match is placed higher than the loser, with the matches continuing consecutively through the rankings until all participating clubs have been placed.
For the ranking matches, the higher-ranked club is designated as the home team based on its total points from the league stage. If a match is drawn after 90 minutes, the winner is determined by a penalty shoot-out, with no extra time.
Teams A total of 16 clubs compete in the 2026–27 season, divided into two groups of eight for the league stage.
Number of teams by province
PositionProvinceNumberTeams13Kasem Bundit University U21s, Kasetsart U21s, and Port U21s3Bangkok United U21s, BG Pathum United U21s, and Chainat Hornbill U21s32Chonburi U21s and Pattaya United U21s41Buriram United U21s1Kanchanaburi Power U21s1Khon Kaen United U21s1Nongbua Pitchaya U21s1PT Prachuap U21s1Rayong U21s1Rasisalai United U21s1Suphanburi U21s
Stadiums and locations
Grp Team League Location Stadium CoordinatesABG Training Centre 3Thai League 1Buriram City StadiumThai League 2Khao Noi SAO StadiumThai League 3Stadium of Kasem Bundit UniversityThai League 2Insee Chantarasatit StadiumThai League 1Sam Ao StadiumThai League 1Rasisalai United Training GroundThai League 3Stadium of Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Suphanburi CampusBThai League 1BG Training Centre 3Thai League 2Thammasat StadiumThai League 1Chang Football ParkThai League 2Khon Kaen United Training GroundThai League 2Pitchaya StadiumThai League 2Nong Prue StadiumThai League 1Stadium of Kasem Bundit UniversityThai League 1Rayong Provincial Stadium
League stage Standings Group A
Group B
Positions by round Group A
Group B
Results by round Group A
Group B
Results The league-stage results are shown in a combined table for all 16 clubs, covering both intra-group and inter-group matches. (A) and (B) indicate the groups to which the clubs belong.
Ranking matches Summary
Matches
References
External links Official website of Thai League