2026–27 Scottish Cup
Football tournament season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026–27 Scottish Cup (known as the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup for sponsorship reasons)[1] is the 142nd season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 1 August 2026 – 22 May 2027 |
| Teams | 137 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 36 |
| Goals scored | 147 (4.08 per match) |
All statistics correct as of 2 October 2026. | |
Celtic are the defending champions after defeating Dunfermline Athletic in the 2026 final.
Calendar
The dates for the 2026–27 Scottish Cup were announced on 28 June 2026.[2]
| Round | Original date | Number of fixtures | Clubs | New Entries | Leagues entering at this round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary round one | 1 August 2026 | 5 | 137 → 132 | 10 | 3 qualifiers and 7 licensed clubs |
| Preliminary round two | 22 August 2026 | 20 | 132 → 112 | 35 | 35 licensed clubs |
| Preliminary round three | 12 September 2026 | 10 | 112 → 102 | None | |
| First round | 3 October 2026 | 30 | 102 → 72 | 50 | 18 Highland League teams 32 Lowland League teams |
| Second round | 24 October 2026 | 20 | 72 → 52 | 10 | 10 League Two teams |
| Third round | 28 November 2026 | 20 | 52 → 32 | 20 | 10 Championship teams 10 League One teams |
| Fourth round | 16 January 2027 | 16 | 32 → 16 | 12 | 12 Premiership teams |
| Fifth round | 6 February 2027 | 8 | 16 → 8 | None | |
| Quarter-finals | 6 March 2027 | 4 | 8 → 4 | None | |
| Semi-finals | 17 & 18 April 2027 | 2 | 4 → 2 | None | |
| Final | 22 May 2027 | 1 | 2 → 1 | None |
Preliminary round one
The draw for preliminary round one was made on 28 June 2026.[3] Three teams without an SFA club licence were required to be included in the first preliminary round draw – namely Stonehaven (as the winner of the North of Scotland Football League), Shortlees Amateurs (as the winner of the Scottish Amateur Cup), and Dundee North End (as the winner of the Midlands Football League). Seven licensed clubs were drawn to play in first preliminary round: Glenafton Athletic, Hawick Royal Albert, Jeanfield Swifts, Penicuik Athletic, Sauchie Juniors, St Andrews United and Whitletts Victoria. The remaining 35 licensed clubs received a bye to the second preliminary round.
Whitletts Victoria and Stonehaven made their debut in the tournament.
Matches
| 1 August 2026 | Glenafton Athletic | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (2–3 p) | Stonehaven | New Cumnock |
| 15:00 | [4] | Stadium: Loch Park Referee: Conor Greenan |
| 1 August 2026 | Hawick Royal Albert | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Penicuik Athletic | Hawick |
| 15:00 | [4] | Stadium: Albert Park Referee: Robert Bowie |
| 1 August 2026 | Shortlees Amateurs | 2–3 | Dundee North End | Kilmarnock |
| 15:00 | [4] | Stadium: Townhead Park Referee: Stuart Broadfoot |
| 1 August 2026 | St. Andrews United | 1–0 | Jeanfield Swifts | St Andrews |
| 15:00 |
|
[4] | Stadium: Clayton Holiday Park Recreation Ground Referee: Owen Lawrence |
Preliminary round two
The draw for the second preliminary round was made on 28 June 2026.[3]
Teams in bold advanced to the preliminary round three.
| East of Scotland League | West of Scotland League | Others |
|---|---|---|
|
Premier Division
First Division Second Division |
Premier Division
First Division Second Division Third Division |
Matches
| 21 August 2026 | St Cadoc's | 3–0 | Burntisland Shipyard | Glasgow |
| 20:00 |
|
[4] | Stadium: New Tinto Park Referee: Calum Foreman |
| 22 August 2026 | Rutherglen Glencairn | 2–0 | Dundonald Bluebell | Rutherglen |
| 14:00 |
|
Stadium: The Hamish B Allan Stadium Referee: Robert Bowie |
| 22 August 2026 | Broughty Athletic | 0–4 | Threave Rovers | Broughty Ferry |
| 14:30 |
|
Stadium: Whitton Park Referee: Brent Falconer |
| 22 August 2026 | Dundee North End | 9–0 | Wigtown & Bladnoch | Dundee |
| 14:30 |
|
Stadium: North End Park Referee: Conor Greenan |
| 22 August 2026 | Edinburgh University | 3–3 (a.e.t.) (3–5 p) | Irvine Meadow | Edinburgh |
| 14:30 |
|
Stadium: East Peffermill Referee: Joseph Cheney |
| 22 August 2026 | Whitehill Welfare | 2–1 | Girvan | Rosewell |
| 14:30 |
|
|
Stadium: Ferguson Park Referee: Kai Hannah |
| 22 August 2026 | Benburb | 2–1 | Newtongrange Star | Glasgow |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: New Tinto Park Referee: Konrad Spalony |
| 22 August 2026 | Blackburn United | 10–1 | St. Cuthbert Wanderers | Blackburn |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Ash Grove Referee: Liam MacDougall |
| 22 August 2026 | Bonnyton Thistle | 4–2 | Tweedmouth Rangers | Kilmarnock |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: The Synergy Arena Referee: Tayler Martin |
| 22 August 2026 | Camelon Juniors | 3–0 | Whitletts Victoria | Camelon |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: Carmuirs Park Referee: Owen Lawrence |
| 22 August 2026 | Coldstream | 1–4 | Dunbar United | Coldstream |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Home Park Referee: Yaser Razouk |
| 22 August 2026 | Creetown | 0–2 | Stonehaven | Creetown |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: Castlecary Park Referee: Lewis Barnie |
| 22 August 2026 | Dalkeith Thistle | 1–2 | Haddington Athletic | Dalkeith |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: King's Park Referee: Ewan Dunn |
| 22 August 2026 | Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare | 1–5 | Preston Athletic | Easthouses |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Newbattle Complex Referee: Kieran O'Reilly |
| 22 August 2026 | Glasgow University | 1–0 | Darvel | Glasgow |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: Petershill Park Referee: Lewis Brown |
| 22 August 2026 | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | 4–0 | Tynecastle | Kirkintilloch |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex Referee: Scott Donohoe |
| 22 August 2026 | Penicuik Athletic | 9–2 | Golspie Sutherland | Penicuik |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Montgomery Park Referee: Andrew Campbell |
| 22 August 2026 | St Andrews United | 6–1 | Hutchison Vale | St Andrews |
| 15:00 | Stadium: The Clayton Caravan Park Recreation Ground Referee: Thomas Denholm |
| 22 August 2026 | Tayport | 2–0 | Carluke Rovers | Tayport |
| 15:00 | Stadium: The Canniepairt Referee: Craig Livingstone |
| 22 August 2026 | Vale of Leithen | 0–4 | Drumchapel United | Innerleithen |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Victoria Park Referee: Regan Wallace |
Preliminary round three
The third preliminary round consisted of the 20 winners of the previous round with no additional teams entering the competition. The draw for the round took place on 24 August 2026 at 19:00 live on the Scottish Cup YouTube channel.[5]
Teams in bold advanced to the first round.
| East of Scotland League | West of Scotland League | Others |
|---|---|---|
|
Premier Division
First Division |
Premier Division First Division Second Division |
Matches
| 11 September 2026 | St Cadoc's | 1–2 | Glasgow University | Glasgow |
| 20:00 |
|
|
Stadium: New Tinto Park Referee: Conor Greenan |
| 12 September 2026 | Threave Rovers | 3–1 | Dundee North End | Castle Douglas |
| 14:30 |
|
|
Stadium: Meadow Park Referee: Ross Donaldson |
| 12 September 2026 | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | 2–1 | Rutherglen Glencairn | Kirkintilloch |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex Referee: Calum Foreman |
| 12 September 2026 | Dunbar United | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Preston Athletic | Dunbar |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: New Countess Park Referee: Lewis Barnie |
| 12 September 2026 | Bonnyton Thistle | 3–2 | Camelon Juniors | Kilmarnock |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Synergy Arena Referee: Stuart Broadfoot |
| 12 September 2026 | Blackburn United | 3–4 | Stonehaven | Blackburn |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Ash Grove Referee: Thomas Denholm |
| 12 September 2026 | Tayport | 2–1 | St Andrews United | Tayport |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: The Canniepairt Referee: Regan Wallace |
| 12 September 2026 | Penicuik Athletic | 4–3 | Whitehill Welfare | Penicuik |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Montgomery Park Referee: Owen Lawrence |
| 12 September 2026 | Drumchapel United | 0–3 | Haddington Athletic | Glasgow |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: Donald Dewar Centre Referee: Kieran O'Reilly |
| 12 September 2026 | Benburb | 0–2 | Irvine Meadow | Glasgow |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: New Tinto Park Referee: Andrew Campbell |
First round
The first round will take place on 2 and 3 October 2026 and will consist of the ten winners of the preliminary round, 18 clubs from the Highland Football League and 32 clubs from the Lowland Football League. Glasgow University of the 8th tier were the lowest ranked club still in the tournament. The draw for the round took place on 13 September 2026 at 18:00 live on the Scottish Cup YouTube channel.[6]
Teams in bold advanced to the second round.
| Highland League | Lowland League East | Lowland League West | East of Scotland League | West of Scotland League | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Premier Division First Division Second Division |
Matches
| 2 October 2026 | Cumnock Juniors | 2–0 | Auchinleck Talbot | Cumnock |
| 19:30 |
|
Stadium: Townhead Park Referee: Abbie Hendry |
| 3 October 2026 | Threave Rovers | v | Invergordon | Castle Douglas |
| 13:00 | Stadium: Meadow Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Nairn County | v | Gretna 2008 | Nairn |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Station Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Bonnyton Thistle | v | East Stirlingshire | Kilmarnock |
| 15:00 | Stadium: The Synergy Arena |
| 3 October 2026 | Beith Juniors | v | Huntly | Beith |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Bellsdale Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | v | Banks o' Dee | Kirkintilloch |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex |
| 3 October 2026 | Forres Mechanics | v | University of Stirling | Forres |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Mosset Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Caledonian Braves | v | Fraserburgh | Motherwell |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Alliance Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Pollok | v | Albion Rovers | Glasgow |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Newlandsfield Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Bo'ness United | v | Irvine Meadow | Bo'ness |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Newtown Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Gala Fairydean Rovers | v | Largs Thistle | Galashiels |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Netherdale |
| 3 October 2026 | Renfrew | v | Broxburn Athletic | Renfrew |
| 15:00 | Stadium: New Western Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Civil Service Strollers | v | Formartine United | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Christie Gillies Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Dunipace | v | Preston Athletic | Denny |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Westfield Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Clachnacuddin | v | Bonnyrigg Rose | Inverness |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Grant Street Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Newton Stewart | v | Johnstone Burgh | Newton Stewart |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Blairmount Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Tayport | v | Wick Academy | Tayport |
| 15:00 | Stadium: The Canniepairt |
| 3 October 2026 | Deveronvale | v | Troon | Banff |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Princess Royal Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Penicuik Athletic | v | Kilwinning Rangers | Penicuik |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Montgomery Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Brechin City | v | Buckie Thistle | Brechin |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Glebe Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Cowdenbeath | v | Berwick Rangers | Cowdenbeath |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Central Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Strathspey Thistle | v | Dalbeattie Star | Grantown-on-Spey |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Seafield Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Tranent | v | Turriff United | Tranent |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Foresters Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Linlithgow Rose | v | Clydebank | Linlithgow |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Prestonfield |
| 3 October 2026 | Hill of Beath Hawthorn | v | Glasgow University | Hill of Beath |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Keir's Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Keith | v | Stonehaven | Keith |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Kynoch Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Rothes | v | Brora Rangers | Rothes |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Mackessack Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Lochee United | v | Inverurie Loco Works | Dundee |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Thomson Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Haddington Athletic | v | Cumbernauld Colts | Haddington |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Millfield Park |
| 3 October 2026 | Musselburgh Athletic | v | Lossiemouth | Musselburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Olivebank Arena |
Second round
The second round will consist of the 30 winners from the first round with the ten clubs from Scottish League Two entering the competition. The matches will be played on 24 October 2026. The draw for the round will take place on 4 October 2026 at 17:00 live on the Scottish Cup YouTube channel.
Third round
The third round will consist of the 20 winners from the second round with the ten clubs from Scottish League One and the ten clubs from the Scottish Championship entering the competition. The matches will be played on 28 November 2026.
Fourth round
The fourth round will consist of the 20 winners from the third round with the 12 clubs from the Scottish Premiership entering the competition. The matches will be played on 16 January 2027.
Fifth round
The fifth round will take place on 6 February 2027 with the 16 winners of the fourth round.
Quarter-finals
The quarterfinals will take place on 6 March 2027 with the eight winners of the fifth round.
Semi-finals
The two semi-final ties will take place on 17 and 18 April 2027.
Final
The final will take place on 22 May 2027 at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Broadcasting
The Scottish Cup is broadcast by Premier Sports and BBC Scotland. Premier Sports has the first two picks and the fifth pick of the fourth and fifth rounds, 2 quarter-finals as well as first pick of one semi-final and airs the final non-exclusively. BBC Scotland broadcasts one match per round from the first round onwards and two matches per round from the fourth round to the quarter-finals, as well as one semi-final and the final.[7]
The following matches were selected for live coverage on UK television:
| Round | BBC Scotland | Premier Sports |
|---|---|---|
| First round[8] | Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot (streamed) | |
| Second round | ||
| Third round | ||
| Fourth round | ||
| Fifth round | ||
| Quarter-finals | ||
| Semi-finals | ||
| Final | ||