West Ham United U21s will kick off their 2025/26 competitive campaign away to Woking in the National League Cup on Wednesday 13 August, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm BST.
Following a demanding pre-season, which has included six senior fixtures and a warm-weather training camp in southern Spain, Mark Robson’s development squad will begin their season at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
In the inaugural National League Cup last season, a competition that pits 16 National League clubs (from the fifth tier of senior men’s football) against 16 Premier League 2 sides, the young Hammers narrowly missed out on a place in the knockout stages. Despite recording wins over Ebbsfleet United and eventual finalists Sutton United, defeat to neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge saw them fall short of the quarter-finals by just a point.
This time around, the U21s have been drawn in Group C alongside Woking, Aldershot Town, Sutton United and newly-promoted Truro City. Fellow Premier League 2 sides Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Southampton will also be pushing for one of the two qualification spots.
A time and date has also been confirmed for their opening match in the Vertu Trophy, a competition pairing clubs from EFL Leagues One and Two with invited Premier League Academy sides. The young Hammers will travel to face MK Dons on Tuesday 16 September (7pm BST). Reading and Swindon Town complete the group.
While provisional dates for Premier League 2 fixtures have been confirmed, details of the remaining National League Cup and Vertu Trophy matches will be announced in due course.
