The fixtures for the 2025/26 Under-18 Premier League season have been released, with champions Aston Villa kicking off their title defence at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 16 August.
Villa were crowned 2024/25 U18s Premier League national champions after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final, after winning the U18 Premier League South title. They made it three trophies last season when they also won the FA Youth Cup.
Last season’s beaten U18PL finalists, Man City, kick off their campaign at home to Leeds United, also on 16 August.
What is the U18PL format?
The Under-18 Premier League is where the 29 Category One Club Academies play, and is split into the North and South Division, with no promotion or relegation.
The two regional division champions play in a National Final for the overall U18 Premier League title, as won by Villa last season.
Welcoming three new clubs
Three new clubs are entering the competition this season – Birmingham City, Burnley and Ipswich Town – after being granted the Category One status that has allowed them to join the competition.
Birmingham and Ipswich will both be competing in the South division, while Burnley take their place in the North section.
North and South group teams 2025/26
| North group | South group |
| Blackburn Rovers | Arsenal |
|---|---|
| Burnley | Aston Villa |
| Derby County | Birmingham City |
| Everton | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Leeds United | Chelsea |
| Liverpool | Crystal Palace |
| Manchester City | Fulham |
| Manchester United | Ipswich Town |
| Middlesbrough | Leicester City |
| Newcastle United | Norwich City |
| Nottingham Forest | Reading |
| Stoke City | Southampton |
| Sunderland | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | West Bromwich Albion |
| – | West Ham United |
To further enhance the development of U18 players, all clubs also have the opportunity to compete in the U18 PL Cup and the FA Youth Cup.
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