The tournament was for the under-20 age group, to complement current youth development strategies, having formerly been an under-19 competition.
The first two rounds were divided into three regional groups to reduce travelling.
The tournament becomes an all-in national competition from the third round onwards.
Four ties was drawn in this group with the following clubs receiving a bye to the second round: Five ties were drawn in this group, with the following clubs receiving byes to the second round.
[1] The following sixteen clubs entered at this stage, by virtue of having reached the fourth round of last season's competition: The fourth round draw was announced on 7 November 2017.