Key Points
- Bolton Wanderers have been drawn in Group E of the 2025/26 Vertu Trophy alongside Oldham Athletic and Rotherham United.
- The group will also include a Premier League U21 team, to be determined in the upcoming draw on 26 June 202532.
- The competition’s group stage is regionalised into northern and southern sections, with Bolton placed in the northern section.
- The first round of fixtures for the Vertu Trophy will take place in the first week of September 2025.
- Prize money includes £20,000 participation fees for EFL clubs, £10,000 per group stage win, and up to £100,000 for the winners of the tournament.
- The final is scheduled for Sunday, 12 April 2026, at Wembley Stadium.
- Premier League U21 teams in the northern section include Everton, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- Bolton Wanderers will face Oldham Athletic for the first time since the 2020/21 season in this competition.
- The tie against Rotherham United is a first encounter between the two clubs in the Vertu Trophy.
What Is the Vertu Trophy and How Is the 2025/26 Tournament Structured?
As reported by Sky Sports, the Vertu Trophy is a regionalised football competition involving clubs from Sky Bet League One and League Two, alongside 16 Premier League Under-21 teams. The 2025/26 edition features 16 groups split evenly between northern and southern sections. Each group contains three EFL clubs and one Premier League U21 side, with the group stage and knockout rounds remaining regionalised until the quarter-finals.
The group stage draw for the northern section places Bolton Wanderers in Group E with Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United, and a Premier League U21 team yet to be drawn. The competition begins with the first round of fixtures scheduled for early September 2025, culminating in a final at Wembley on 12 April 2026.
Which Teams Are in Bolton Wanderers’ Group and What Are Their Histories?
According to Bolton Wanderers’ official website, the Whites will compete against League One rivals Rotherham United and newly promoted Oldham Athletic in Group E2. Oldham Athletic returns to the EFL after winning the National League play-offs, marking their first meeting with Bolton in this competition since the 2020/21 season. The match-up with Rotherham United is a new encounter in the Vertu Trophy context, adding fresh competition to the group.
The fourth team in the group will be a Premier League U21 side, with candidates including Everton, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The draw to determine this team will take place live on Sky Sports News on 26 June 2025.
How Will the Vertu Trophy Matches Be Broadcast and What Is the Prize Money?
Sky Sports has confirmed that every match of the 2025/26 Vertu Trophy season will be broadcast live, providing extensive coverage of the competition. The prize money structure incentivises performance at every stage, with EFL clubs receiving £20,000 for participation. Wins in the group stage yield £10,000, draws £5,000, and advancing through the knockout rounds increases the financial rewards up to £100,000 for the winners.
What Were the Highlights of the Previous Vertu Trophy Final?
Reflecting on the 2024/25 season, Sky Sports reported that Peterborough United upset Birmingham City 2-0 at Wembley to claim the Vertu Trophy. Harley Mills, a 19-year-old who began the season on loan at Enfield Town, scored a remarkable free-kick from 30 yards, which hit the underside of the crossbar and went in. Just before half-time, Mills assisted the second goal, which captain Hector Kyprianou finished, securing the victory in front of the opposition fans.
How Does Bolton Wanderers’ Participation Reflect on Their Recent Vertu Trophy Performances?
Bolton Wanderers, winners of the competition in 2023 and quarter-finalists in the last two seasons, enter the 2025/26 Vertu Trophy with strong ambitions. Their group stage opponents, Oldham Athletic and Rotherham United, present a mix of familiar and new challenges. The group stage matches are provisionally scheduled for the weeks commencing 1 September, 6 October, and 10 November 2025, subject to change due to international U21 commitments.
What Are the Key Dates and Next Steps for the Vertu Trophy Draw?
The final Premier League U21 team for Bolton Wanderers’ group will be revealed during the live draw on Sky Sports News at 2:30 pm on Thursday, 26 June 2025. Following the draw, clubs will learn their fixture schedules and venues. The competition’s early rounds will maintain a regional focus to reduce travel demands on clubs, with the excitement building towards the Wembley final in April 2026.
Bolton Wanderers’ inclusion in Group E alongside Oldham Athletic and Rotherham United sets the stage for competitive fixtures in the 2025/26 Vertu Trophy. With live broadcasts and significant prize money at stake, the tournament promises to be a highlight of the football calendar for EFL clubs and fans alike. The upcoming draw on 26 June will complete the group and provide full clarity on the path ahead.