Here are five of them…
Five reasons to watch Palace U21s v PSG on Wednesday (19:00 BST)
Crystal Palace Under-21s begin their Premier League International Cup campaign against none other than Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, 2nd September (19:00 BST) – and there are plenty of reasons to be at Sutton United’s Borough Sports Ground or watching live on Palace TV+!
1. PSG are coming to Sutton
Come on, it’s PSG!
The French giants are the reigning European and French champions, having won the UEFA Champions League for a second successive season and secured a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title.
Their academy was also named France’s best for 2025/26 by the French Football Federation, showcasing the remarkable talent coming through their ranks.
So, while you might not get to see the likes of Ousmane Dembélé or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, there is every chance you’ll be watching some of the next generation of Parisian stars.
And you can do it all for just £1 - click here to grab your tickets!
2. It’s £1 to watch future stars
It’s not every day you get the chance to watch a European heavyweight in South London, but you can do exactly that on Wednesday – and it’ll cost as little as £1.
So whether you’re a regular Academy supporter or have never been to a U21s game before, there’s never been a better time to give it a go.
Can’t make it to Sutton? You can watch the game LIVE on Palace TV+.
3. A squad full of history-makers
The Young Eagles’ squad is packed with players who have enjoyed a memorable 12 months – and plenty more who are ready to make their mark.
Last season’s U18 Player of the Season Chuks Okoli could feature alongside Jasper Judd, Charlie Walker-Smith, Euan Danaher and Makai Bernard-Ferguson, who were all part of the side that lifted the club’s first-ever U18 Premier League Cup.
There could also be a chance to see Joel Drakes-Thomas, who became Palace’s youngest-ever Premier League player when he featured against Leeds United last season. He was one of four Young Eagles – alongside captain George King, Dean Benamar and Benji Casey – to make their senior debuts in the UEFA Conference League against KuPS.
King enjoyed an especially memorable campaign, being named U21 Player of the Season, while Casey was crowned Scholar of the Year after scoring 19 goals in 18 appearances.
New signing Amaari Sealey could also make his International Cup debut. The attacking midfielder joined Palace from AFC Wimbledon this summer after registering 47 goal contributions during an extraordinary 25/26 campaign in which the Dons’ U18s completed an unprecedented national quadruple.
And that’s before you even consider the talent PSG will bring to Sutton.
4. Palace have history in this competition
The Premier League International Cup has already produced some memorable nights for the Young Eagles – and Palace will be hoping there are more to come.
The first taste of a final came in 22/23, when Palace reached the showpiece at Selhurst Park, only to suffer a 3-1 defeat to Jong PSV.
A year later, they had their chance for revenge. Franco Umeh’s deflected second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over the Dutch side, sending Palace to the trophy for the first time.
After an early group-stage exit in 24/25, the Young Eagles bounced back last season, topping their group with wins over Juventus, FC Nordsjælland and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Their run eventually came to an end in the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to Real Sociedad.
Now, PSG, PSV Eindhoven, RSC Anderlecht and FC Porto await in Group C – and another European adventure is ready to begin.
5. You’ve got to be there
There’s something different about watching Academy football live – and Wednesday’s clash with PSG is your first chance to watch the Young Eagles on Palace TV+ or at Sutton this season.
Palace’s first two Premier League 2 fixtures have both been away from home, with the trip to Arsenal unavailable to watch live due to the Premier League broadcast blackout and the Aston Villa clash taking place on the same night as the first team’s opener against Manchester City.
Now, the Young Eagles are finally coming home.
It’s a chance to see Palace’s next generation up close, experience the atmosphere around the Young Eagles and watch players at the beginning of their journey towards senior football – with one of Europe’s biggest clubs providing the opposition.
With four European opponents heading to Sutton this season, the Premier League International Cup offers a unique chance to see some of the continent’s biggest clubs without leaving South London.
Tickets are available for as little as £1, while you can enjoy all the action live on Palace TV+!
Match details:
Crystal Palace U21s v Paris Saint-Germain U21s
- Wednesday, 2nd September
- 19:00 BST
- Premier League International Cup
- Borough Sports Ground
- Buy tickets here
- Watch LIVE on Palace TV+