U21 Premier League

The Premier League 2 (PL2) is the top-tier under-21 youth competition in English football, designed to prepare academy players for senior football. Reverted to a U21 format from U23 in 2022/23, it features 26 Category One academies playing a 20-match regular season, followed by playoffs. The league offers a highly technical, competitive environment, often featuring fixtures at main stadiums. Teams can include limited overage players (outfield and GK) to bridge the gap to senior levels.