Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s will begin their 2026/27 EFL Trophy campaign away to Northampton Town on Tuesday, 18 August.
The Southern Group G fixture will kick off at 7pm, with all three of Albion’s group-stage matches taking place away from home.
Shannon Ruth’s side will then travel to Gillingham on Tuesday, 13 October before completing the group phase against Cambridge United on Tuesday, 3 November. Both matches will also start at 7pm.
Brighton’s official fixture announcement confirmed the dates after Albion were drawn alongside three senior EFL opponents in the southern section.
Brighton youngsters face three senior sides
The EFL Trophy gives selected Premier League academy teams an opportunity to compete against senior opposition from League One and League Two.
Brighton will open their campaign at Northampton before facing Gillingham almost two months later. Their final match against Cambridge could prove decisive in the race to reach the knockout rounds.
Ruth will be able to use the competition to assess several of Albion’s leading academy players in a more physical senior environment.
As Read Brighton reported following the group-stage draw, Albion already knew they would face Cambridge, Gillingham and Northampton before the exact schedule was finalised.
The Under-21s enjoyed a strong 2025/26 campaign and reached the Premier League 2 play-off final. The EFL Trophy will provide another measure of their development during the opening months of the new season.
All three fixtures being played away from home should also expose Brighton’s young squad to unfamiliar grounds and senior matchday environments.
Ticket information and any broadcast details will be announced closer to each fixture.
