Coventry City and Oxford United are preparing to battle it out for the competition's silverware, but the Checkatrade Trophy has been a success for individual players too.
Take Scunthorpe United's Lewis Butroid, for instance.Before the introduction of the new-look Trophy, the young left-back, who has been at the Sky Bet League One club for 10 years, was a second-year scholar, getting his matchday fix from youth team and development matches.
Iron manager Graham Alexander was impressed with the defender, but needed to see how the 18-year-old fared in a competitive situation before offering him a professional contract.
Cue a Checkatrade Trophy appearance.
Butroid was selected for Scunthorpe's group stage match against Middlesbrough Under-21s, played exceptionally well across the 90 minutes according to boss Alexander, and was duly offered professional terms.
“It was an amazing feeling to be offered my first professional contract,” Butroid, who has been nominated for the League One Apprentice of the Year award at the 2017 EFL Awards, said.
Read more - Scunthorpe United: Butroid and Kelsey sign pro terms
“I didn’t expect to start against Middlesbrough, it was a complete surprise.
“It was one of the best nights I have had in football. The Checkatrade Trophy has been really good for me and it has allowed me to get my opportunity to show what I can do and experience first-team football.
“Other League One and League Two clubs have given young players an opportunity in this competition. It is not often that you get a chance to play in the league.
“The previous format meant that if you lost in the first round, you are eliminated straight away but this year, you can play in at least three matches meaning more people get a chance.
“The competition has had its benefits for me as a young player coming through the academy.”