2025–26 Scottish League Cup
Premier Sports Cup logo | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 11 July – 14 December 2025 |
| Teams | 45 |
| Defending champions | Celtic |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 16 |
| Goals scored | 53 (3.31 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Dylan Tait (3 goals) |
All statistics correct as of 12 July 2025. | |
The 2025–26 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the 80th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition. Celtic are the defending champions.
Schedule
| Round | First match date | Fixtures | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 12 July 2025[1] | 80 | 45 → 16 |
| Second round | 16 August 2025[1] | 8 | 16 → 8 |
| Quarter-finals | 20 September 2025[1] | 4 | 8 → 4 |
| Semi-finals | 1 November 2025[1] | 2 | 4 → 2 |
| Final | 14 December 2025[1] | 1 | 2 → 1 |
Format
The competition begins with eight groups of five teams.[2] In addition, the five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Aberdeen and Hibernian) and Conference League (Dundee United) receive a bye to the second round. The group stage consists of 40 teams:
- all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2024–25,
- the 2024–25 Highland Football League champions (Brora Rangers) and runners-up (Brechin City), and
- the 2024–25 Lowland Football League champions (East Kilbride).[2]
The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progress to the second round, where they are joined by the five teams given byes (last 16; 8 + 3 + 5). At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants are seeded.
Bonus point system
Three points are awarded for a win and one point for a draw. In addition, in each group stage match that finishes in a draw, there is a penalty shoot-out, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[3]
Group stage
The teams are seeded according to their final league positions in 2024–25 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot. The draw for the group stage took place on 28 May 2025 and was broadcast live on the Premier Sports and SPFL YouTube channels.[4]
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FAL | SPA | COV | QPA | BRE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falkirk | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | 26 Jul | — | 22 Jul | — | |
| 2 | The Spartans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | — | — | — | 2–1 | 19 Jul | |
| 3 | Cove Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 Jul | 15 Jul | — | — | — | ||
| 4 | Queen's Park | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | — | — | 26 Jul | — | 15 Jul | ||
| 5 | Brechin City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0 | 0–7 | — | 22 Jul | — | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [5]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | PAR | STR | ROS | QOS | EDI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partick Thistle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | 15 Jul | — | 22 Jul | — | |
| 2 | Stranraer | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Possible qualification for the second round | — | — | p1–1 | 26 Jul | — | |
| 3 | Ross County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 Jul | — | — | — | 22 Jul | ||
| 4 | Queen of the South | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 Jul | — | 15 Jul | ||
| 5 | Edinburgh City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | 1–4 | 19 Jul | — | — | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AIR | ALL | MON | BON | DND | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airdrieonians | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | 26 Jul | — | 15 Jul | — | |
| 2 | Alloa Athletic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | — | — | 15 Jul | — | 19 Jul | |
| 3 | Montrose | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 Jul | — | — | 19 Jul | — | ||
| 4 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | — | 0–1 | — | — | 22 Jul | ||
| 5 | Dundee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | 0–1 | — | 26 Jul | — | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [8]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FOR | ARB | ANN | STM | AYR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forfar Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Qualification for the second round | — | 26 Jul | — | 15 Jul | — | |
| 2 | Arbroath | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Possible qualification for the second round | — | — | 22 Jul | p0–0 | — | |
| 3 | Annan Athletic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1–1p | — | — | — | 15 Jul | ||
| 4 | St Mirren | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 19 Jul | — | 27 Jul | ||
| 5 | Ayr United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 Jul | 19 Jul | — | — | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HOM | HAM | DUM | STI | DNF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart of Midlothian | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 23 Jul | — | 4–1 | |
| 2 | Hamilton Academical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 15 Jul | — | 26 Jul | — | — | |
| 3 | Dumbarton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 15 Jul | 19 Jul | ||
| 4 | Stirling Albion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | 19 Jul | 0–2 | — | — | — | ||
| 5 | Dunfermline Athletic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | — | 22 Jul | — | 26 Jul | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | RAI | STJ | ICT | EKB | ELG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raith Rovers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 26 Jul | 15 Jul | — | |
| 2 | St Johnstone | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 22 Jul | — | — | — | 26 Jul | |
| 3 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 Jul | — | — | 15 Jul | ||
| 4 | East Kilbride | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | — | 1–3 | 22 Jul | — | — | ||
| 5 | Elgin City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | 1–5 | — | — | 19 Jul | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [11]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | GMO | MOT | CLY | STE | PET | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenock Morton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 26 Jul | 15 Jul | — | |
| 2 | Motherwell | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Possible qualification for the second round | 22 Jul | — | — | — | 15 Jul | |
| 3 | Clyde | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — | 2–2p | — | 22 Jul | — | ||
| 4 | Stenhousemuir | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 Jul | — | — | 26 Jul | ||
| 5 | Peterhead | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | 2–4 | — | 19 Jul | — | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [12]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | KIL | LIV | KEL | EFI | BRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilmarnock | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | 16 Jul | — | 26 Jul | — | |
| 2 | Livingston | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | — | — | 26 Jul | — | 19 Jul | |
| 3 | Kelty Hearts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 Jul | — | — | 19 Jul | — | ||
| 4 | East Fife | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | — | 1–2 | — | — | 22 Jul | ||
| 5 | Brora Rangers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | 0–2 | — | 15 Jul | — | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [13]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Best runners-up
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | St Johnstone | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | Qualification for the second round |
| 2 | E | Hamilton Academical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | |
| 3 | H | Livingston | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 4 | A | The Spartans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 5 | C | Alloa Athletic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | G | Motherwell | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 7 | B | Stranraer | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 8 | D | Arbroath | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 July 2025. Source: [14]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Knockout phase
Second round
Draw and seeding
Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United enter the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.[2]
Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Seeded | Unseeded |
|---|---|
Media coverage
The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier Sports, who will broadcast between 12 and 16 live matches per season, as well as highlights.[15] Premier Sports further announced they would stream up to 25 additional games from the group stage on their website. The broadcaster will also broadcast all games live from the second round onwards, either streamed or televised, subject to blackout rules.[16]
The following matches will be broadcast live:
| Round | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 12 July 2025 (Matchday 1) |
Arbroath v St Mirren (streamed) Brechin City v Falkirk (streamed) Brora Rangers v Kilmarnock (streamed) Clyde v Motherwell (streamed) Dundee v Airdrieonians (streamed) East Kilbride v St Johnstone (streamed) Heart of Midlothian v Dunfermline Athletic[17] |
| 15 July 2025 (Matchday 2) |
Forfar Athletic v St Mirren (streamed) Hamilton Academical v Heart of Midlothian (streamed) Motherwell v Peterhead (streamed) Kilmarnock v Livingston (16 July 2025)[17] | |
| 19 July 2025 (Matchday 3) |
Alloa Athletic v Dundee (streamed) St Mirren v Annan Athletic (streamed) Inverness Caledonian Thistle v St Johnstone (streamed) Stenhousemuir v Motherwell (streamed) Livingston v Brora Rangers (streamed) Stirling Albion v Heart of Midlothian[17] | |
| 22 July 2025 (Matchday 4) |
Falkirk v Queen's Park (streamed) Kelty Hearts v Kilmarnock (streamed) Partick Thistle v Queen of the South (streamed) St Johnstone v Raith Rovers (streamed) Motherwell v Greenock Morton Heart of Midlothian v Dumbarton (23 July 2025) (streamed)[17] | |
| 26 July 2025 (Matchday 5) |
Dundee v Montrose (streamed) Falkirk v The Spartans (streamed) Kilmarnock v East Fife (streamed) Livingston v Kelty Hearts (streamed) Ross County v Partick Thistle (streamed) St Johnstone v Elgin City (streamed) St Mirren v Ayr United (27 July 2025)[17] |
References
- ^ a b c d e "Premier Sports Cup 2025/26". SPFL. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Premier Sports Cup seedings". SPFL. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Premier Sports Cup group stage draw". SPFL. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup". SPFL. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ "More matches on Premier Sports | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ a b c d e "Premier Sports Cup update". SPFL. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.