The 2021–22 EFL Trophy, known as the Papa Johns Trophy for sponsorship reasons, the 41st season in the history of the competition, was a knock-out tournament for clubs in EFL League One and League Two, the third and fourth tiers of the English football league system, as well as the "Academy teams" of 16 Premier League clubs with Category One status.
Sunderland were the defending champions, but they were knocked out in the Second Round by Oldham Athletic.
The draw for the Second Round took place on Saturday 13 November 2021.
[5][6] The draw for the quarter-final stage took place live on Talksport on 6 January 2022 with games taking place during the week commencing 24 January.
The draw for the semi-final stage took place live on Sky Sports on 29 January 2022 with games taking place during the week commencing 6 March.