Premier League clubs have voted to bring in a one-tier Swiss-style format for the Premier League 2, according to a report.

Per Mertesacker in attendance at Arsenal's u21 game vs Reading (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Per Mertesacker in attendance at Arsenal’s u21 game vs Reading (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

The Training Ground Guru report that after a season-long review of the Premier League 2, the Premier League clubs have voted on a new format for the 2023/24 campaign.

The u21 competition currently uses a two-tier system, with promotion and relegation between the leagues.

But the new format uses the Swiss model, involving one league of 25 teams where each team plays 20 matches based on their seeding, which is determined by performance over time.

The initial 20-game regular season would then be followed by a play-off competition for the top-16 teams at the end.

This is the same change we’ll see made to the Champions League in 2024/25.

Mauro Bandeira (C) celebrates a goal for the Arsenal u21s against Crystal Palace (Photo via David Price on Twitter)
Mauro Bandeira (C) celebrates a goal for the Arsenal u21s against Crystal Palace (Photo via David Price on Twitter)

Fixtures for the new competition will be released in July.

On the one hand, the removal of relegation is believed to be a potential positive for development, as it will allow struggling teams to focus more on what’s best for their players and less on grinding out results.

On the other hand, a lack of focus on results could easily lead to less competitive matches that actually end up harming player development.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali makes a point to Ethan Nwaneri prior to coming on as a substitute during the Papa John's Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali makes a point to Ethan Nwaneri prior to coming on as a substitute during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Arsenal were already in the top tier of the Premier League 2, along with Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United. That will presumably see the Gunners earn a favourable seeding in the new competition.

By comparison, Tottenham Hotspur will be pleased to see the system change to a single-tier after they were relegated this season. But their seeding should suffer from that relegation.