The 2022–23 Professional U18 Development League was the 11th season of the Professional Development League system. There were 25 teams competing, divided into North and South divisions according to their region. Burnley U18s, Birmingham City U18s Did not return to the league after failing to retain category one academy status. Reading U18s left temporarily dropping to category 2 status.[1][2][3]Manchester City U18s are two-time defending champions.
The 2022–23 Professional U18 Development League 2 was the 11th season of the Professional Development League system. 20 teams competed this season in the U18 Professional Development League 2. The 2022-23 Under-18 League 2, or Under-18s Professional Development League 2 as it is sometimes referred to, is Under-18 football's second tier, designed for those academies with Category 2 status. The league is split regionally into north and south divisions, with each team facing opponents in their own region twice both home and away and opponents in the other region once home or away. This results in both divisions playing 28 games. The sides finishing in the top two positions in both regions at the end of the season will progress to a knockout stage to determine the overall league champion.
Burnley U18s, Birmingham City U18s returned to the league after failing to retain category one academy status. Reading U18s joined after temporarily dropping to category 2 status, but would leave after this season.[1][2]Sheffield United U18s are the defending champions from the previous season.
The EFL Youth Alliance also known as League 3 is run by the Football League under the auspices of the Football League Youth Alliance. This league is where the Category 3 and 4 Academies play. 46 teams competed this season, 2 more than the previous season. Hartlepool United U18s returned after a 3-year absence. Stockport County U18s arrived after being promoted to the football league as a Category 3 Academy for the very first time. Brentford U18s arrived after they reopened their academy for the first time since 2016 as a Category 4 Academy. However, for unknown reasons Tranmere Rovers U18s left the league. For clubs that get relegated to the National League, they have two years to gain promotion back to the EFL. Otherwise, they lose their license with the League.