A new format for the Premier League 2 competition has been finalised, which will see Albion’s U21s compete in the same division as all other Category One academy sides for the 2023/24 campaign.
The 26 teams have been seeded, based on their performances over the last three seasons, into five pots. Richard Beale’s young Baggies will play a total of 20 league games over the course of the year, facing each club in their own pot as well as three-five teams in all other pots.
At the end of the campaign, the top 16 sides in the PL2 standings will qualify for a single-elimination play-off format. These matches will be decided based on league positions, with first-placed playing 16th, second-placed facing 15th etc.
And those clubs finishing in the top 12 spots will be invited to compete in the Premier League International Cup tournament for the 2024/25 season.
A tasty derby clash awaits Albion’s young pros in their first fixture of the season.
They play local rivals Aston Villa at their Bodymoor Heath Training Ground on Friday, August 11 (ko 7pm), with the 21s’ first home game of the campaign coming at The Hawthorns against Blackburn Rovers on Monday, August 21 (ko 7pm).
The full fixture list can be found below.
| Opponent | Date | Home/Away |
| Aston Villa | Friday, August 11 (ko 7pm) | A - Bodymoor Heath Training Ground |
| Blackburn Rovers | Monday, August 21 (ko 7pm) | H - The Hawthorns |
| Sunderland | Friday, August 25 (ko 7pm) | H - Keys Park |
| Chelsea | Friday, September 1 (ko 7pm) | A - Kingsmeadow Stadium |
| Fulham | Monday, September 25 (ko 7pm) | H - Keys Park |
| Norwich City | Friday, September 29 (ko 7pm) | A - Carrow Road |
| Crystal Palace | Monday, October 30 (ko 7pm) | A - VBS Community Stadium |
| Reading | Monday, November 6 (ko 7pm) | H - Keys Park |
| Arsenal | Monday, December 4 (ko 7pm) | H - Keys Park |
| Everton | Friday, December 15 (ko 7pm) | A - Southport FC |
| West Ham United | Monday, January 15 (ko 7pm) | H - Keys Park |
| Middlesbrough | Friday, January 26 (ko 7pm) | A - Heritage Park |
| Derby County | Monday, February 12 (ko 7pm) | H - Keys Park |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | Monday, February 19 (ko 7pm) | A - AFC Telford United |
| Southampton | Monday, March 4 (ko 7pm) | H - Keys Park |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | Friday, March 8 (ko 7.30pm) | A - American Express Elite Football Performance Centre |
| Manchester United | Monday, March 18 (ko 7pm) | H - The Hawthorns |
| Newcastle United | Saturday, April 6 (ko 1pm) | A - Whitley Park |
| Manchester City | Saturday, April 13 (ko 1pm) | A - Venue TBC |
| Leeds United | Monday, April 29 (ko 7pm) | H - The Hawthorns |
*All fixtures are subject to change.
