EFL Trophy set for makeover thanks to US sandwich giant Jersey Mike's

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FT Desk

The EFL Trophy has landed a lucrative new sponsorship deal with US sandwich giant, Jersey Mike's.

The competition was established in 1983, then known as the Associate Members' Cup

It's mainly for clubs in League One and League Two, the third and fourth levels of the English football league system.

The EFL Trophy gives lower-league teams a chance to compete for a national trophy, with matches played throughout the season and the final held at Wembley Stadium.

The competition also includes selected academy/under-21 teams from Premier League and Championship clubs. Teams are initially divided into regional groups before progressing through knockout rounds.

The previous sponsor, Vertu, ended their partnership with the competition at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season and a new deal has been agreed with Jersey Mike's worth £5 million, reports the Mail.

Jersey Mike's started in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, in 1956 and is known for making sandwiches to order, particularly its cold subs, hot subs, and cheesesteaks.

The partnership with the EFL comes as the company plans to expand into the United Kingdom.

There are currently 3,300 stores in the United States and the company plans to open 400 in the UK. The first on British shores will be opened in London's West End.

The Mail reports that there will be an increase in competition prize money moving forward for the duration of the five-year partnership.

The current holders of the EFL Trophy are Luton Town.

They won the 2025–26 Vertu Trophy by beating Stockport County 3–1 in the final at Wembley in April of 2026. It was Luton’s second EFL Trophy title, having previously won it in 2009.