Another tournament?! EPL launch 32-team competition with a £1MILLION prize fund

The Premier League have collaborated with the National League to create a new competition designed to further aid player development.

The National League Cup will feature sides from the fifth-tier of English football alongside Premier League 2 outfits.

It is hoped that the new competition, which begins in October, will give youngsters from the biggest clubs in the country a chance to test themselves against senior opposition.

The competition will include 32 teams, will be played in midweek and all the gate receipts from matches will be kept by the National League outfits.

Participating clubs have been split into four groups of eight, with the two best-placed teams in each group advancing to a knockout stage to determine the winner.

The Premier League's chief football officer Tony Scholes said: 'We’re excited to launch this new competition in partnership with the National League.

'The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under 17-21 age groups to gain valuable experience of playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development.

'We’re pleased to be able to support in the operation of the competition and look forward to seeing the wider benefits it will bring to National League clubs.'

This years tournament includes the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle.

In addition to gate receipts, National League clubs will also receive a share of the combined £1million prize fund, which has provided by the Premier League.

The first round of games get underway on October 1, with the final set to take place on the April 1 or 2.