Sky Sports News EFL Trophy Draw: How to Watch the Vertu Trophy Group Stage Draw Live Tonight
Match date:
See commentator listings for today's matches.
Sky Sports News and HD will broadcast the 2026/27 EFL Trophy Group Stage draw live tonight at 14:30 UK time, with Sky Sports News presenter Dharmesh Sheth leading the proceedings alongside former footballers Kevin Nolan and Luke Chambers as pundits. The draw, which will determine the four-group opponents for the 64 teams competing in the so-called Vertu Trophy (for sponsorship reasons), is a key milestone in the English League Trophy calendar and will be available for streaming via Sky Go, with highlights later shown on ITV4.
The EFL Trophy, known as the Vertu Trophy this season, follows the dramatic 2026 final where Luton Town defeated Stockport County 3–1 at Wembley Stadium on 12 April 2026, with Lawrence, Wells, and Sidibeh all scoring in the match that was televised live on Sky Sports Football and streamed via Sky Go1. Tonight's draw will set the stage for the 2026/27 group phase, where four teams from each of the four groups will advance to the knockout rounds, with Notts County already confirming three of their four group-stage opponents ahead of the live drawing3.
Dharmesh Sheth, the Sky Sports News presenter anchoring tonight's broadcast, is a long-standing figure in UK football coverage, having spent over 20 years reporting on the EFL, Premier League, and international football, with a reputation for delivering clear, fast-paced analysis of draws and fixtures. His co-pundit Kevin Nolan, a former Notts County and West Ham United midfielder, brings deep tactical insight from his playing days in League One and the Championship, while Luke Chambers, who captained Ipswich Town and Northampton Town to multiple promotions, offers a detailed perspective on the group-stage challenges awaiting 66 teams from the lower tiers1.
The draw will follow the format used in previous seasons, where four groups of four teams are drawn from each of the 64 participating clubs, with the group winners and three best runners-up advancing to the quarter-finals. As confirmed by the EFL, the 66 teams include 48 from League One and League Two, plus 18 from the Premier League 21 and EFL Academy system, all competing for the trophy that has been a springboard for many clubs' rise through the English football pyramid5.
For viewers unable to watch the live draw on Sky Sports News, the event will also be streamed online via Premier Sports and broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube channel, ensuring global access to the group-stage matchups4. The draw details, including the 64 teams and their group allocations, have been confirmed in full by the EFL, with the four-team groups ready to be drawn from 2:30 PM GMT+12.
Fans of the EFL Trophy can follow all Vertu Trophy news, including fixtures, results, and team updates, on the official Sky Sports EFL Trophy page, which covers the tournament from the group stage through to the Wembley final6. Tonight's draw will be a pivotal moment for clubs like Notts County, who are already looking to secure their path through the group stage, as well as for the Premier League U21 teams, who will discover their opponents in the coming weeks6.
With the 2026 final already a memorable contest at Wembley, the 2026/27 EFL Trophy Group Stage draw sets the stage for another competitive season, with the four group winners advancing to the quarter-finals and the eventual champion lifting the trophy at Wembley in April 2027. Tonight's live broadcast on Sky Sports News, with Dharmesh Sheth and his pundit team, will be the definitive source for all group-stage matchups, ensuring fans across the UK and beyond are ready for the Vertu Trophy campaign.
To learn more about the EFL Trophy's history, teams, and the Pathway to Wembley, visit the official EFL Trophy page, where you can find full details on the tournament's format, past winners, and the journey from group stage to final.
Article generated: 25 June 2026, 14:30 GMT