Premier League International Cup | ||
Founded | 2014 | |
Region | Europe | |
Number of teams | 24 | |
Tournament information | ||
Current champions | Porto (2nd title) | |
Most successful team(s) | Porto (2 titles) | |
Current | ||
The Premier League International Cup is an English football competition for U23 players from across Europe. It was designed to provide players in English Category One academies with the opportunity to match themselves against other elite European footballers from their age group in a competitive environment. The competition was created by the Premier League as part of the organisation's Elite Player Performance Plan and is not sanctioned by UEFA.
Overview[]
The competition features U23 sides from twelve English clubs and twelve other European clubs for the 2017–18 season. Prior the 2016–17 season, eight English and eight other European clubs competed in the competition. English teams qualify via their standing in the Premier League 2 and entry by European clubs is by invitation from the Premier League. For the 2014–15 tournament the 16 teams were split into four groups of four. Upon completion of the group stages the winners and runners-up from each group progressed to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, all played as single-leg ties. UEFA tried to block the creation of the tournament and refused to sanction its creation, to circumvent this all games will be hosted in England with games involving two foreign teams being held in neutral venues. To ensure the focus is on development, the Premier League made no prize money available for the competition.
As in the Professional U21 Development League, teams are allowed to field three overage outfield players and one overage goalkeeper per match.
Finals[]
Season | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Losing semi-finalists | Final stage host |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014–15 | Manchester City | 1–0 | Porto | Leicester City and Fulham | Academy Stadium, Manchester |
2015–16 | Villarreal | 4–2 | PSV | Chelsea and Porto | The Den, South Bermondsey |
2016–17 | Porto | 5–0 | Sunderland | Swansea City and Norwich City | Stadium of Light, Sunderland |
2017–18 | Porto | 1–0 | Arsenal | Villarreal and Newcastle United | Emirates Stadium, London |
See also[]
Template:Premier League Template:Reserve and Youth football in England
England |