The EFL Trophy is an annual English association football knockout competition open to all clubs in levels three and four of the English football pyramid, with the addition of 16 under-21 teams from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs since the 2016–17 season. The competition was previously known as the Football League Trophy and was renamed the EFL Trophy in 2016 after The Football League changed its name to the English Football League.

The EFL Trophy is a midweek knockout cup competition that includes clubs from EFL League One and League Two, plus an additional 16 under-21 teams from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs. The teams are split into 16 regional groups of four teams, of which the top two will progress to the knockout stages, with the final staged at Wembley Stadium.

In the group stage, three points are awarded for a victory and one for a draw. A draw in the group stage goes straight to a penalty shootout, with a bonus point awarded to the winner. All knockout rounds up to the final are one-off matches decided by penalties if they are level after 90 minutes. The final will go to extra-time and possibly penalties if level after 90 minutes.

Bristol City is the most successful side in the competition, winning it three times (1985/86, 2002/03, 2014/15) and losing two finals. Coventry City won the 2016/17 competition, and Lincoln City won it in 2017/18. Portsmouth claimed the trophy in 2018/19.

The EFL Trophy Player of the Round competition gives fans the opportunity to vote for the player they feel starred in each round of the competition.