2025–26 Scottish Challenge Cup
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 12 August 2025 – 5 April 2026 |
| Teams | 40 |
| Defending champions | Livingston |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 15 |
| Goals scored | 51 (3.4 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Nathan Austin (3 goals) |
All statistics correct as of 13 August 2025. | |
The 2025–26 Scottish Challenge Cup, known as the KDM Evolution Trophy due to sponsorship reasons,[1] is the 34th season of the competition. The total number of participating clubs is 40. The competition began on 12 August 2025 with the new league phase and the final will take place on either the weekend of 28/29 March or 4/5 April 2026.
Thirty teams from the Championship, League One and League Two compete, along with 10 B teams from the 12 clubs who compete in the Scottish Premiership.[1]
Format
| Round | Round Dates | Teams entering in this round | Teams advancing from the previous round |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Phase (30 teams) |
12/13 August 2025 (matchday 1) 26/27 August 2025 (matchday 2) 6 September 2025 (matchday 3) 23/24 September 2025 (matchday 4) 11 October 2025 (matchday 5) 11 November 2025 (matchday 6) |
|
|
| Second round (32 teams) |
9/10 December 2025 |
|
|
| Third round (16 teams) |
6/7 January 2026 |
| |
| Quarter-Finals (8 teams) |
27/28 January 2026 |
| |
| Semi-Finals (4 teams) |
24/25 February 2026 |
| |
| Final (2 teams) |
28/29 March or 4/5 April 2026 |
|
League Phase
The draw was made on 17 July 2025 at 13:00 and broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube Channel. The draw was regionalised and divided into 3 pots. The matches are to be played from 12 August 2025 to 11 November 2025.[1]
North Section
Draw
Teams will enter the competition in the league phase.
| Pot A | Pot B | Pot C |
|---|---|---|
South Section
Draw
Teams will enter the competition in the league phase.
| Pot A | Pot B | Pot C |
|---|---|---|
League Phase Matches
| 12 August 2025 | Clyde | 1–3 | Celtic B | Hamilton |
| 19:45 |
|
[2] | Stadium: New Douglas Park Attendance: 252 Referee: Peter Stuart |
| 12 August 2025 | Cove Rangers | 1–1 | The Spartans | Aberdeen |
| 19:45 |
|
[3] |
|
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium Attendance: 256 Referee: Sean Murdoch |
| 12 August 2025 | Dumbarton | 4–2 | St Mirren B | Dumbarton |
| 19:45 | [4] |
|
Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 317 Referee: Graham Grainger |
| 12 August 2025 | East Fife | 4–1 | Heart of Midlothian B | Methil |
| 19:45 |
|
[5] |
|
Stadium: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 301 Referee: Daniel Graves |
| 12 August 2025 | East Kilbride | 3–1 | Queen of the South | East Kilbride |
| 19:45 |
|
[6] |
|
Stadium: K-Park Training Academy Attendance: 500 Referee: Lewis Hogarth |
| 12 August 2025 | Elgin City | 1–4 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Elgin |
| 19:45 |
|
[7] | Stadium: Borough Briggs Attendance: 852 Referee: Gary Hanvidge |
| 12 August 2025 | Forfar Athletic | 1–0 | Hibernian B | Forfar |
| 19:45 |
|
[8] | Stadium: Station Park Attendance: 273 Referee: Greg Soutar |
| 12 August 2025 | Kelty Hearts | 1–0 | Annan Athletic | Kelty |
| 19:45 | [9] | Stadium: New Central Park Attendance: 177 Referee: Gavin Duncan |
| 12 August 2025 | Montrose | 5–2 | Dundee B | Montrose |
| 19:45 |
|
[10] |
|
Stadium: Links Park Attendance: 321 Referee: Jordan Curran |
| 12 August 2025 | Peterhead | 4–2 | Aberdeen B | Peterhead |
| 19:45 | [11] |
|
Stadium: Balmoor Stadium Attendance: 584 Referee: Joel Kennedy |
| 12 August 2025 | Stenhousemuir | 2–1 | Rangers B | Stenhousemuir |
| 19:45 |
|
[12] |
|
Stadium: Ochilview Park Attendance: 164 Referee: Cameron Stirling |
| 12 August 2025 | Stirling Albion | 0–3 | Dundee United B | Stirling |
| 19:45 | [13] |
|
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 217 Referee: Jamie Wilkie |
| 12 August 2025 | Stranraer | 2–1 | Alloa Athletic | Stranraer |
| 19:45 |
|
[14] |
|
Stadium: Stair Park Attendance: 324 Referee: Stewart Luke |
| 13 August 2025 | Edinburgh City | 1–0 | Kilmarnock B | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 |
|
[15] | Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium Attendance: 86 Referee: Alastair Grieve |
| 13 August 2025 | Hamilton Academical | 0–0 | Motherwell B | Cumbernauld |
| 19:45 | [16] | Stadium: Broadwood Stadium Attendance: 215 Referee: Connor Ashwood |
| 26 August 2025 | Stranraer | v | Rangers B | Stranraer |
| 19:30 | Stadium: Stair Park |
| 26 August 2025 | Alloa Athletic | v | St Mirren B | Alloa |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Recreation Park |
| 26 August 2025 | Cove Rangers | v | Dundee B | Aberdeen |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Balmoral Stadium |
| 26 August 2025 | Dumbarton | v | Heart of Midlothian B | Dumbarton |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 26 August 2025 | East Fife | v | Kilmarnock B | Methil |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Bayview Stadium |
| 26 August 2025 | East Kilbride | v | Motherwell B | East Kilbride |
| 19:45 | Stadium: K-Park Training Academy |
| 26 August 2025 | Elgin City | v | Dundee United B | Elgin |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Borough Briggs |
| 26 August 2025 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | v | Aberdeen B | Inverness |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Caledonian Stadium |
| 26 August 2025 | Kelty Hearts | v | Celtic B | Kelty |
| 19:45 | Stadium: New Central Park |
| 26 August 2025 | Montrose | v | Forfar Athletic | Montrose |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Links Park |
| 26 August 2025 | Queen of the South | v | Clyde | Dumfries |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Palmerston Park |
| 26 August 2025 | Stirling Albion | v | Hibernian B | Stirling |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Forthbank Stadium |
| 26 August 2025 | The Spartans | v | Peterhead | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Ainslie Park |
| 27 August 2025 | Hamilton Academical | v | Edinburgh City | Cumbernauld |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Broadwood Stadium |
| 6 September 2025 | Alloa Athletic | v | Celtic B | Alloa |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Recreation Park |
| 6 September 2025 | Annan Athletic | v | St Mirren B | Annan |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Galabank |
| 6 September 2025 | Clyde | v | Motherwell B | Hamilton |
| 15:00 | Stadium: New Douglas Park |
| 6 September 2025 | East Fife | v | Dumbarton | Methil |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Bayview Stadium |
| 6 September 2025 | East Kilbride | v | Hamilton Academical | East Kilbride |
| 15:00 | Stadium: K-Park Training Academy |
| 6 September 2025 | Edinburgh City | v | Heart of Midlothian B | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium |
| 6 September 2025 | Elgin City | v | Cove Rangers | Elgin |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Borough Briggs |
| 6 September 2025 | Forfar Athletic | v | Dundee B | Forfar |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Station Park |
| 6 September 2025 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | v | Stirling Albion | Inverness |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Caledonian Stadium |
| 6 September 2025 | Kelty Hearts | v | Stranraer | Kelty |
| 15:00 | Stadium: New Central Park |
| 6 September 2025 | Montrose | v | Aberdeen B | Montrose |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Links Park |
| 6 September 2025 | Peterhead | v | Dundee United B | Peterhead |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Balmoor Stadium |
| 6 September 2025 | Queen of the South | v | Rangers B | Dumfries |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Palmerston Park |
| 6 September 2025 | Stenhousemuir | v | Kilmarnock B | Stenhousemuir |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Ochilview Park |
| 6 September 2025 | The Spartans | v | Hibernian B | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Ainslie Park |
| 23 September 2025 | Alloa Athletic | v | Kilmarnock B | Alloa |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Recreation Park |
| 23 September 2025 | Annan Athletic | v | Rangers B | Annan |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Galabank |
| 23 September 2025 | Clyde | v | East Fife | Hamilton |
| 19:45 | Stadium: New Douglas Park |
| 23 September 2025 | Cove Rangers | v | Hibernian B | Aberdeen |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Balmoral Stadium |
| 23 September 2025 | Dumbarton | v | Kelty Hearts | Dumbarton |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 23 September 2025 | Forfar Athletic | v | Aberdeen B | Forfar |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Station Park |
| 23 September 2025 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | v | Dundee B | Inverness |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Caledonian Stadium |
| 23 September 2025 | Peterhead | v | Elgin City | Peterhead |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Balmoor Stadium |
| 23 September 2025 | Queen of the South | v | Heart of Midlothian B | Dumfries |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Palmerston Park |
| 23 September 2025 | Stenhousemuir | v | East Kilbride | Dumfries |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Palmerston Park |
| 23 September 2025 | Stirling Albion | v | Montrose | Stirling |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Forthbank Stadium |
| 23 September 2025 | Stranraer | v | Motherwell B | Stranraer |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Stair Park |
| 23 September 2025 | The Spartans | v | Dundee United B | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Ainslie Park |
| 24 September 2025 | Edinburgh City | v | Celtic B | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium |
| 24 September 2025 | Hamilton Academical | v | St Mirren B | Cumbernauld |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Broadwood Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | Clyde | v | Kilmarnock B | Hamilton |
| 15:00 | Stadium: New Douglas Park |
| 11 October 2025 | Cove Rangers | v | Dundee United B | Aberdeen |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Balmoral Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | Dumbarton | v | Rangers B | Dumbarton |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | East Fife | v | Celtic B | Methil |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Bayview Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | East Kilbride | v | Heart of Midlothian B | East Kilbride |
| 15:00 | Stadium: K-Park Training Academy |
| 11 October 2025 | Edinburgh City | v | Alloa Athletic | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | Elgin City | v | Aberdeen B | Elgin |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Borough Briggs |
| 11 October 2025 | Forfar Athletic | v | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Forfar |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Station Park |
| 11 October 2025 | Hamilton Academical | v | Annan Athletic | Cumbernauld |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Broadwood Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | Kelty Hearts | v | St Mirren B | Kelty |
| 15:00 | Stadium: New Central Park |
| 11 October 2025 | Montrose | v | The Spartans | Montrose |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Links Park |
| 11 October 2025 | Peterhead | v | Hibernian B | Peterhead |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Balmoor Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | Stenhousemuir | v | Motherwell B | Stenhousemuir |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Ochilview Park |
| 11 October 2025 | Stirling Albion | v | Dundee B | Stirling |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Forthbank Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 | Stranraer | v | Queen of the South | Stranraer |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Stair Park |
| 11 November 2025 | Alloa Athletic | v | Clyde | Alloa |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Recreation Park |
| 11 November 2025 | Annan Athletic | v | Kilmarnock B | Annan |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Galabank |
| 11 November 2025 | Cove Rangers | v | Forfar Athletic | Aberdeen |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Balmoral Stadium |
| 11 November 2025 | Dumbarton | v | Stenhousemuir | Dumbarton |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 11 November 2025 | East Fife | v | Edinburgh City | Methil |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Bayview Stadium |
| 11 November 2025 | East Kilbride | v | Celtic B | East Kilbride |
| 19:45 | Stadium: K-Park Training Academy |
| 11 November 2025 | Elgin City | v | Dundee B | Elgin |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Borough Briggs |
| 11 November 2025 | Hamilton Academical | v | Rangers B | Cumbernauld |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Broadwood Stadium |
| 11 November 2025 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | v | Dundee United B | Inverness |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Caledonian Stadium |
| 11 November 2025 | Kelty Hearts | v | Heart of Midlothian B | Kelty |
| 19:45 | Stadium: New Central Park |
| 11 November 2025 | Montrose | v | Hibernian B | Montrose |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Links Park |
| 11 November 2025 | Queen of the South | v | Motherwell B | Dumfries |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Palmerston Park |
| 11 November 2025 | Stirling Albion | v | Peterhead | Stirling |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Forthbank Stadium |
| 11 November 2025 | Stranraer | v | St Mirren B | Stranraer |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Stair Park |
| 11 November 2025 | The Spartans | v | Aberdeen B | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Ainslie Park |
League Phase Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montrose | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 3 | Advance to Second round |
| 2 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | |
| 3 | East Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | |
| 4 | Dundee United B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | |
| 5 | Dumbarton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 6 | Peterhead | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 7 | Celtic B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 8 | East Kilbride | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 9 | Stranraer | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 10 | Stenhousemuir | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 11 | Edinburgh City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 12 | Kelty Hearts | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 13 | Forfar Athletic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 14 | The Spartans | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 15 | Cove Rangers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 16 | Hamilton Academical | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 17 | Motherwell B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 18 | Alloa Athletic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | |
| 19 | Rangers B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | |
| 20 | Hibernian B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 21 | Annan Athletic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 22 | Kilmarnock B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 23 | St Mirren B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | |
| 24 | Aberdeen B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | |
| 25 | Queen of the South | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 26 | Clyde | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 27 | Dundee B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 | |
| 28 | Heart of Midlothian B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | |
| 29 | Elgin City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | |
| 30 | Stirling Albion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 13 August 2025. Source: SPFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding qualification).[17]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding qualification).[17]
Second round
Draw
Teams that enter the competition in the second round.
References
- ^ a b c "KDM Evolution Trophy". SPFL. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ "Clyde vs. Celtic II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Cove Rangers vs. The Spartans - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Dumbarton vs. St Mirren II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "East Fife vs. Hearts II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ {{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2025/08/12/scotland/challenge-cup/east-kilbride/queen-south/I2091604/ |title=East Kilbride vs. Queen of the South - 12 August 2025 |publisher=Soccerway |date=12 August 2025 |accessdate=12 August 2025
- ^ "Elgin City vs. Inverness Caledonian Thistle - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Forfar Athletic vs. Hibernian II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Kelty Hearts vs. Annan Athletic - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Montrose vs. Dundee II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Peterhead vs. Aberdeen II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Stenhousemuir vs. Rangers II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Stirling Albion vs. Dundee United II - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Stranraer vs. Alloa Athletic - 12 August 2025". Soccerway. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Edinburgh City vs. Kilmarnock II - 13 August 2025". Soccerway. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Hamilton Academical vs. Motherwell II - 13 August 2025". Soccerway. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 21 July 2025.