England Championship. Premier League Under 23
Premier League 2 (U23) is the top-tier competition for youth squads from Premier League and Championship clubs in England. It focuses on nurturing talents under 23, with up to three over-age players, bridging the gap between academy football and senior levels through intense, professional-style matches.
History and foundation
Launched as the Premier Academy League in 2012, it became Premier League 2 in 2016 with divisional splits. A highlight: Manchester City's U23s clinched the 2019 title with a 3-0 playoff final win over Liverpool. Reforms during COVID-19 kept the competition alive sans crowds, spotlighting future stars like Phil Foden.
Tournament format
Division 1 features 14 teams playing 26 round-robin matches; Division 2 has 11. Top Division 1 sides enter playoffs for the championship, while bottom teams face relegation. The format allows squad rotation with over-age inclusions to mirror first-team demands.
Interesting facts
Average goals per game hover at 3.2, surpassing the senior league's 2.8. Top scorers include Eberechi Eze (32 goals for QPR U23 in 2018/19) and Liam Delap. Standouts: Jadon Sancho (Man Utd), Cole Palmer (Man City), Jude Bellingham (Birmingham). It's a proven talent factory for the Premier League.