The Premier League Next Generation Cup kicks off with ATK Mohun Bagan and West Ham United facing off at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai on May 17, according to organisers.
Bengaluru FC will take on defending champion Stellenbosch FC in another game on the same day.
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The tournament will span five days, with matches on May 17, 20, 23, 25, and 26. During the first three days, four games will be played each day.
The teams have been divided into two groups and the teams that finish second, third, and fourth in their respective groups will play against each other on May 25, the penultimate day of the competition. The championship will take place on May 26.
The following are the two groups for the Next Generation Cup:
Group A: West Ham United FC, ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Stellenbosch FC
Group B: Sudeva Delhi FC, Everton FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Reliance Foundation Young Champs
May 17 – Wednesday
The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) champions Bengaluru FC will face the defending champions of the Next Generation Cup, Stellenbosch FC, simultaneously with the ATKMB vs West Ham United match. The Mariners will hope to maintain their impressive form, which they demonstrated in the third-place playoff, while Bengaluru will want to step up after winning their second straight RFDL title on Sunday.
Later that day, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers will play against each other, while RFDL runners-up Sudeva Delhi take on RFYC concurrently. RFYC will be aiming for a comeback after losing to Sudeva in the RFDL semi-finals on Thursday, while the Toffees will face familiar opponents in Wolves to kick off their campaign.
May 20 – Saturday
The second day of the Next Generation Cup will begin with Sudeva and RFYC facing Everton and Wolves, respectively. Sudeva impressed everyone with their fantastic performances in the RFDL, and this tournament presents an opportunity for them to test their mettle against the visiting overseas units.
Later that day, West Ham United will face Bengaluru, while ATK Mohun Bagan play against Stellenbosch FC simultaneously. After these matches, there will likely be greater clarity on the teams that are likely to finish at the top of their respective groups.
May 23 – Tuesday
On May 23, ISL rivals Bengaluru FC and ATK Mohun Bagan will face each other, while the Hammers will take on Stellenbosch FC at the same time. Wolverhampton and Everton face Sudeva Delhi and RFYC, respectively, in the final matches for the teams of the two groups before they face the teams from the other group the following day.
May 25 – Thursday
Three games will be played on May 25. Firstly, the team that finished at the bottom of both groups will play against each other for their final game of the tournament. Then, the second and third-place finishers from the two groups will round off their run in the Next Generation Cup with a match against each other.
May 26 – Friday
Finally, on May 26, the tournament will conclude with the top-placed teams from Group A and Group B facing off against each other at RCP. This particular game will decide who walks away with the bragging rights for this upcoming season of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)