2026–27 Scottish League Cup
Football tournament season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026–27 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the 81st season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition.
Premier Sports Cup logo | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 11 July – 13 December 2026 |
| Teams | 45 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 92 |
| Goals scored | 285 (3.1 per match) |
| Attendance | 250,629 (2,724 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Kevin Nisbet (9 goals) |
All statistics correct as of 13 September 2026.Defending champions St Mirren | |
Schedule
Format
The competition begins with eight groups of five teams.[2] The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Heart of Midlothian), Europa League (Rangers) and Conference League (Motherwell and Hibernian) receive a bye to the second round. The group stage consists of 40 teams:
- all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2025–26,
- the 2025–26 Highland Football League champions (Brora Rangers) and runners-up (Brechin City), and
- the 2025–26 Lowland Football League champions (Linlithgow Rose).[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 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 2025–26 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot. The draw for the group stage took place on 27 May 2026 and was broadcast live on the Premier Sports Player and SPFL YouTube channel.[4]
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ABE | QPA | KEL | QOS | BRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–1 | 3–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Queen's Park | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 9 | — | — | — | 3–1 | 3–1 | ||
| 3 | Kelty Hearts | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 5 | — | 0–2 | — | — | 3–2 | ||
| 4 | Queen of the South | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 4 | 1–4 | — | 1–1p | — | — | ||
| 5 | Brora Rangers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 0 | 0–2 | — | — | 0–3 | — |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | DUN | MON | ARB | STI | SPA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundee United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–0 | — | 4–0 | |
| 2 | Montrose | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 9 | 1–0 | — | — | — | 0–2 | ||
| 3 | Arbroath | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 6 | — | 0–2 | — | 1–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Stirling Albion | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 3 | 0–1 | 0–2 | — | — | — | ||
| 5 | The Spartans | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 9 | −5 | 3 | — | — | 1–2 | 1–3 | — |
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STM | DNF | EKB | DUM | COV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Mirren | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | 0–1 | 4–3 | — | — | |
| 2 | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 9 | — | — | — | 4–1 | 5–0 | ||
| 3 | East Kilbride | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 6 | — | 3–0 | — | 5–3 | — | ||
| 4 | Dumbarton | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 13 | −7 | 3 | 0–4 | — | — | — | 2–0 | ||
| 5 | Cove Rangers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 | −10 | 3 | 0–4 | — | 3–2 | — | — |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ROS | DND | CLY | AIR | ANN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ross County | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | p1–1 | 3–1 | — | — | |
| 2 | Dundee | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | +11 | 10 | — | — | 4–0 | 4–2 | — | ||
| 3 | Clyde | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 6 | — | — | — | 1–0 | 4–1 | ||
| 4 | Airdrieonians | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 3 | 0–3 | — | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 5 | Annan Athletic | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 16 | −14 | 0 | 1–4 | 0–5 | — | — | — |
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STE | PAR | LIV | FOR | BRE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stenhousemuir | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 10 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | p0–0 | 2–0 | — | |
| 2 | Partick Thistle | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 3 | +10 | 9 | 2–2p | — | — | — | 6–0 | ||
| 3 | Livingston | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 8 | — | 1–1p | — | 8–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 15 | −12 | 3 | — | 0–4 | — | — | 3–1 | ||
| 5 | Brechin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 13 | −11 | 0 | 1–2 | — | 0–2 | — | — |
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ICT | EFI | STJ | LIN | MOR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 11 | Qualification for the second round | — | p1–1 | 1–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | East Fife | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 9 | — | — | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | St Johnstone | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 7 | — | 1–1p | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 4 | Linlithgow Rose | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 3 | 0–2 | — | 0–2 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Greenock Morton | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0 | 0–1 | — | — | 0–1 | — |
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AYR | FAL | EDI | ALL | STR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ayr United | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–0[a] | 4–1 | — | |
| 2 | Falkirk | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 7 | 0–1 | — | — | — | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Edinburgh City | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 6 | — | 0–5 | — | 2–0 | — | ||
| 4 | Alloa Athletic | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 4 | — | p1–1 | — | — | p2–2 | ||
| 5 | Stranraer | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 1 | 2–3 | — | 0–2 | — | — |
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | KIL | HAM | RAI | PET | ELG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilmarnock | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | 1–0 | p0–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 8 | — | — | p1–1 | — | 5–0 | ||
| 3 | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 8 | — | — | — | 1–0 | 3–1 | ||
| 4 | Peterhead | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | p0–0 | 0–1 | — | — | — | ||
| 5 | Elgin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | −10 | 0 | 0–1 | — | — | 1–3 | — |
Knockout phase
Second round
Draw and seeding
Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian enter the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.[2] The draw for the second round took place on 26 July 2026 broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 following the St Mirren v Dunfermline Athletic match.[8]
Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.
Matches
| 14 August 2026 | Kilmarnock | 3–2 | Ayr United | Kilmarnock |
| 19:45 |
|
[9] |
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 11,365 Referee: Matthew MacDermid |
| 15 August 2026 | Dunfermline Athletic | 1–2 | Ross County | Dunfermline |
| 15:00 |
|
[10] | Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 3,535 Referee: Ryan Lee |
| 15 August 2026 | Aberdeen | 3–0 | Dundee | Aberdeen |
| 15:00 | [11] | Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium Attendance: 10,018 Referee: Nick Walsh |
| 15 August 2026 | Dundee United | 0–4 | Celtic | Dundee |
| 17:45 | [12] | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 9,136 Referee: Steven McLean |
| 16 August 2026 | Hibernian | 1–0 | Partick Thistle | Edinburgh |
| 14:00 |
|
[13] | Stadium: Easter Road Attendance: 10,608 Referee: Duncan Nicolson |
| 16 August 2026 | Heart of Midlothian | 6–2 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Edinburgh |
| 14:00 | [14] | Stadium: Tynecastle Park Attendance: 15,327 Referee: Calum Scott |
| 16 August 2026 | Stenhousemuir | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Motherwell | Stenhousemuir |
| 14:00 |
|
[15] | Stadium: Ochilview Park Attendance: 1,943 Referee: Colin Steven |
| 16 August 2026 | Rangers | 5–1 | St Mirren | Glasgow |
| 16:00 |
|
[16] |
|
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 34,387 Referee: John Beaton |
Quarter-finals
Draw and seeding
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 16 August 2026 broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 following the Rangers v St Mirren match.[17]
Teams in bold advanced to the semi-finals.
| Premiership | Championship | League One |
|---|---|---|
Matches
| 11 September 2026 | Stenhousemuir | 0–3 | Heart of Midlothian | Stenhousemuir |
| 19:45 | [18] | Stadium: Ochilview Park Attendance: 2,306 Referee: Calum Scott |
| 12 September 2026 | Ross County | 0–3 | Hibernian | Dingwall |
| 15:00 | [19] | Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 4,003 Referee: Matthew MacDermid |
| 12 September 2026 | Kilmarnock | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (1–3 p) | Aberdeen | Kilmarnock |
| 17:45 |
|
[20] |
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 6,401 Referee: Don Robertson |
| Penalties | ||||
| 13 September 2026 | Rangers | 3–0 | Celtic | Glasgow |
| 12:00 | [21] | Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 51,212 Referee: Nick Walsh |
Semi-finals
Draw and seeding
The draw for the semi-finals took place on 13 September 2026 broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 following the Rangers v Celtic match.[22]
Matches
| 31 October 2026 | Rangers | v | Aberdeen | Glasgow |
| 17:30 | Stadium: Hampden Park |
| 1 November 2026 | Heart of Midlothian | v | Hibernian | Glasgow |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Hampden Park |
Media coverage
The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier Sports, who broadcast between 12 and 16 live matches per season, as well as highlights.[23]
The following matches will be broadcast live:
| Round | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 11 July 2026 (Matchday 1) |
Dumbarton v St Mirren (streamed) Dundee v Airdrieonians (streamed) East Kilbride v Dunfermline Athletic (streamed) Edinburgh City v Falkirk (streamed) Stirling Albion v Dundee United |
| 14 July 2026 (Matchday 2) |
Annan Athletic v Dundee Brora Rangers v Aberdeen Falkirk v Ayr United Kilmarnock v Raith Rovers Linlithgow Rose v St Johnstone Montrose v Dundee United (all streamed) | |
| 18 July 2026 (Matchday 3) |
Cove Rangers v St Mirren (streamed) Elgin City v Kilmarnock (streamed) Livingston v Partick Thistle (streamed) St Johnstone v Greenock Morton (streamed) Aberdeen v Queen's Park Dundee United v Arbroath | |
| 21 July 2026 22 July 2026 (Matchday 4) |
Alloa Athletic v Falkirk (streamed) Dundee United v The Spartans (streamed) Inverness Caledonian Thistle v St Johnstone (streamed) Kilmarnock v Hamilton Academical (streamed) Ross County v Dundee (streamed) St Mirren v East Kilbride (streamed) Queen of the South v Aberdeen (streamed matches 21 July 2026, Queen of the South v Aberdeen 22 July 2026) | |
| 25 July 2026 26 July 2026 (Matchday 5) |
Aberdeen v Kelty Hearts (streamed) Dundee v Clyde (streamed) Falkirk v Stranraer (streamed) Peterhead v Kilmarnock (streamed) St Johnstone v East Fife (streamed) St Mirren v Dunfermline Athletic (streamed matches 25 July 2026, St Mirren v Dunfermline Athletic 26 July 2026)[24] | |
| Second round | 14 August 2026 | Kilmarnock v Ayr United |
| 15 August 2026 | Aberdeen v Dundee (streamed) Dunfermline Athletic v Ross County (streamed) Dundee United v Celtic | |
| 16 August 2026 | Heart of Midlothian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (streamed) Hibernian v Partick Thistle (streamed) Stenhousemuir v Motherwell (streamed) Rangers v St Mirren[25] | |
| Quarter-finals | 11 September 2026 | Stenhousemuir v Heart of Midlothian |
| 12 September 2026 | Ross County v Hibernian (streamed) Kilmarnock v Aberdeen | |
| 13 September 2026 | Rangers v Celtic[26] | |
| Semi-finals | 31 October 2026 | Rangers v Aberdeen |
| 1 November 2026 | Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian[27] | |
| Final |