Peterborough United drawn against the holders in the group stages of the 2026-27 EFL Trophy

A Premier League Under 21 side will be added to the group via a draw to be held on Thursday (June 25, 2.30pm). The League One fixtures will be released at noon on Thursday.

Posh and Luton have won the last three EFL Trophy competitions between them. Posh won it in 2023-24 and in 2024-25 with Luton beating Stockport County 3-1 in last season’s final at Wembley after Posh had gone out 1-0 at Swindon Town in the first knockout stage.

Posh are unbeaten in three Trophy meetings with Luton and beat them 2-1 in a group match at London Road in the last meeting in 2018.

Posh have played Colchester six times in the Trophy, winning two home games, but losing four away matches including the last meeting in 2023. Posh went down 1-0 in a group match on that occasion, but had already qualified for the knockout stages of a competition they went on to win.

The most famous clash in the competition with Colchester took place in the 1996-97 season semi-finals. It was the Auto Windscreens Shield in those days and Posh looked to have booked a spot in the final at Wembley when winning the first leg at London Road 2-0 with goals from Ricky Otto and Ken Charlery.

But Colchester won the return leg a week later 3-0, clinching victory with a ‘golden goal’ in extra time after Charlery had been sent off by referee Uriah Rennie.

Respected Posh commercial manager Mick Vincent resigned the following day while expressing his dismay at a horrible season which went on to end in relegation from Division Two. It was current director of football Barry Fry’s first season as Posh manager.

Colchester went on to lose the final on penalties to Carlisle United.