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 | 88 |
| Goals scored | 292 (3.32 per match) |
| Attendance | 181,853 (2,067 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | John Robertson (6 goals) |
All statistics correct as of 17 August 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 | 15 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 were 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 | COV | QPA | SPA | BRE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falkirk | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | +13 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–1 | 4–0 | — | |
| 2 | Cove Rangers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 | 0–0p | — | — | 1–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Queen's Park | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 6 | — | 2–1 | — | — | 5–0 | ||
| 4 | The Spartans | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 6 | — | — | 2–1 | — | 2–0 | ||
| 5 | Brechin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 17 | −17 | 0 | 0–7 | 0–3 | — | — | — |
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 | ROS | STR | QOS | EDI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partick Thistle | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | |
| 2 | Ross County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 7 | 1–3 | — | — | — | 8–0 | ||
| 3 | Stranraer | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 6 | — | p1–1 | — | 1–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Queen of the South | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | — | 0–1 | — | — | 4–0 | ||
| 5 | Edinburgh City | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 16 | −15 | 2 | 1–4 | — | p0–0 | — | — |
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 C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ALL | AIR | DND | MON | BON | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alloa Athletic | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 1–0 | 2–1 | — | |
| 2 | Airdrieonians | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 | 2–3 | — | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Dundee | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 6 | — | 0–1 | — | 5–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Montrose | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 3 | — | 1–2 | — | — | 4–1 | ||
| 5 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 0 | 0–1 | — | 1–3 | — | — |
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 D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STM | AYR | ARB | FOR | ANN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Mirren | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–1 | — | — | 8–2 | |
| 2 | Ayr United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 3 | +11 | 9 | — | — | 4–0 | 3–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Arbroath | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 5 | p0–0 | — | — | — | 6–0 | ||
| 4 | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 5 | 1–2 | — | 1–0 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Annan Athletic | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 21 | −17 | 1 | — | 1–6 | — | 1–1p | — |
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 E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HOM | DNF | DUM | HAM | STI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart of Midlothian | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | +15 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 4–1 | 4–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 9 | — | — | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | Dumbarton | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 6 | — | 0–4 | — | — | 1–0 | ||
| 4 | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 3 | 0–4 | — | 0–1 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 | 0–4 | — | — | 0–2 | — |
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 F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STJ | RAI | ICT | EKB | ELG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Johnstone | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 | +13 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 3–1 | — | — | 8–0 | |
| 2 | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 6 | — | — | 5–1 | 2–4 | — | ||
| 3 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 6 | 0–1 | — | — | — | 2–0 | ||
| 4 | East Kilbride | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 12 | −1 | 6 | 1–3 | — | 2–6 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Elgin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 19 | −17 | 0 | — | 1–5 | — | 1–4 | — |
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 G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MOT | GMO | CLY | STE | PET | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motherwell | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | 3–0 | — | — | 2–1 | |
| 2 | Greenock Morton | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 9 | — | — | 3–0 | 3–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Clyde | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 6 | 2–2p | — | — | p2–2 | — | ||
| 4 | Stenhousemuir | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 4 | 0–1 | — | — | — | 1–0 | ||
| 5 | Peterhead | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | −5 | 0 | — | 2–4 | 1–2 | — | — |
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 H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | KIL | LIV | EFI | KEL | BRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilmarnock | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | 1–0 | 4–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Livingston | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 | — | — | — | 6–0 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | East Fife | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 6 | — | 1–2 | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 4 | Kelty Hearts | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 5 | p0–0 | — | 0–1 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Brora Rangers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | −11 | 0 | 0–2 | — | — | 0–4 | — |
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]
Best runners-up
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Ayr United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 3 | +11 | 9 | Qualification for the second round |
| 2 | H | Livingston | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 | |
| 3 | G | Greenock Morton | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 9 | |
| 4 | E | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 9 | |
| 5 | C | Airdrieonians | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 | |
| 6 | B | Ross County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 7 | |
| 7 | A | Cove Rangers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 | |
| 8 | F | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 6 |
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]
Knockout phase
Second round
Draw and seeding
Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United entered the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.[2]
The draw for the second round was made following the St Mirren v Ayr United match on 27 July 2025, and broadcast live on Premier Sports 1.[7]
Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Seeded | Unseeded |
|---|---|
Matches
| 15 August 2025 | Celtic | 4–1 | Falkirk | Glasgow |
| 19:45 | [8] |
|
Stadium: Celtic Park Referee: Lloyd Wilson |
| 16 August 2025 | Greenock Morton | 0–3 | Aberdeen | Greenock |
| 15:00 | [9] | Stadium: Cappielow Attendance: 4,885 Referee: Matthew MacDermid |
| 16 August 2025 | Partick Thistle | 2–0 | Ayr United | Glasgow |
| 15:00 | [10] | Stadium: Firhill Stadium Attendance: 3,124 Referee: Ryan Lee |
| 16 August 2025 | St Johnstone | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Motherwell | Perth |
| 15:00 | [11] |
|
Stadium: McDiarmid Park Attendance: 4,330 Referee: David Dickinson |
| 16 August 2025 | St Mirren | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) | Heart of Midlothian | Paisley |
| 15:00 |
|
[12] |
|
Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 4,738 Referee: Steven McLean |
| Penalties | ||||
| 16 August 2025 | Rangers | 4–2 | Alloa Athletic | Glasgow |
| 17:45 | [13] | Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 33,959 Referee: Dan McFarlane |
| 17 August 2025 | Kilmarnock | 2–1 | Dundee United | Kilmarnock |
| 15:00 | [14] |
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 4,853 Referee: Kevin Clancy |
| 17 August 2025 | Livingston | 0–2 | Hibernian | Livingston |
| 15:00 | [15] | Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 4,696 Referee: Ross Hardie |
Quarter-finals
Draw and seeding
The draw for the quarter-finals was made following the Rangers v Alloa Athletic match on 16 August 2025, and broadcast live on Premier Sports 1.[16]
Teams in Italics were not known at the time of the draw.
| Premiership | Championship |
|---|---|
Matches
| 20 or 21 September 2025 | Kilmarnock | v | St Mirren | Kilmarnock |
| Stadium: Rugby Park |
| 20 or 21 September 2025 | Partick Thistle | v | Celtic | Glasgow |
| Stadium: Firhill Stadium |
| 20 or 21 September 2025 | Rangers | v | Hibernian | Glasgow |
| Stadium: Ibrox Stadium |
| 20 or 21 September 2025 | Aberdeen | v | Motherwell | Aberdeen |
| Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium |
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.[17] 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.[18]
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[19] |
| 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)[19] | |
| 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[19] | |
| 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)[19] | |
| 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)[19] | |
| Second round | 15 August 2025 | Celtic v Falkirk[20] |
| 16 August 2025 | Greenock Morton v Aberdeen (streamed) Partick Thistle v Ayr United (streamed) St Johnstone v Motherwell (streamed) St Mirren v Heart of Midlothian (streamed) Rangers v Alloa Athletic[20] | |
| 17 August 2025 | Kilmarnock v Dundee United (streamed) Livingston v Hibernian (streamed) |
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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Premier Sports Cup R2 draw". SPFL. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Celtic vs. Falkirk - 15 August 2025". Soccerway. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ "Greenock Morton vs. Aberdeen - 16 August 2025". Soccerway. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Partick Thistle vs. Ayr United - 16 August 2025". Soccerway. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "St Johnstone vs. Motherwell - 16 August 2025". Soccerway. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "St Mirren vs. Hearts - 16 August 2025". Soccerway. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Rangers vs. Alloa Athletic - 16 August 2025". Soccerway. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ Cohen, Charlotte (17 August 2025). "Kilmarnock vs Dundee United". BBC. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ McLauchlin, Brian (17 August 2025). "Livingston vs Hibernian". BBC. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Premier Sports Cup quarter-final draw". SPFL. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup". SPFL. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ "More matches on Premier Sports". SPFL. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Premier Sports Cup update". SPFL. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Premier Sports Cup R2 fixtures". SPFL. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.