What is the UEFA Youth League?

In case you have not heard, UEFA Youth League is starting in the upcoming 2013/14 football season and it will run parallel to the UEFA Champions League. The idea is for players aged 19 and under to get international experience at club level.

The youth teams of the same clubs that qualify for the Champions League will battle it out mimicking the schedule of the big boys. The matches will be played on same or similar dates and in close proximity of the big venues.

The UEFA Youth League will also run in the 2014/15 campaign after which the concept will be re-evaluated. The trophy given to the winner will be named after Lennart Johansson, the UEFA honorary president.

The UEFA Youth League sounds like a great idea. Young players will get additional exposure and experience playing bigger matches on international level, while the fans will get to see the new rising stars of world football. It's a win-win!

Looking forward to the UEFA Youth League.