2025–26 in Scottish football
| Season | 2025–26 | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
| 2025–26 in Scottish football | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Premiership champions | ||
| Championship champions | ||
| League 1 champions | ||
| League 2 champions | ||
| Scottish Cup winners | ||
| League Cup winners | ||
| Challenge Cup winners | ||
| Youth Cup winners | ||
| Teams in Europe | ||
| Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Dundee United | ||
| Scotland national team | ||
| 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) |
The 2025–26 season will be the 129th season of competitive football in Scotland. The domestic season began on the weekend of 11–13 July with the first Scottish League Cup group stage matches, and the first round of matches in the 2025–26 Scottish Premiership are due to be played on the weekend of 1–3 August.[1]
Transfer deals
[edit]League competitions
[edit]Scottish Premiership
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart of Midlothian | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Qualification for the Champions League play-off round |
| 2 | Celtic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 6 | Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round |
| 3 | Livingston | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 | Qualification for the Conference League second qualifying round[b] |
| 4 | Hibernian | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
| 5 | Kilmarnock | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | |
| 6 | Rangers | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 7 | Motherwell | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 8 | Dundee United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 1 | |
| 9 | Dundee | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | |
| 10 | St Mirren | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 1 | |
| 11 | Falkirk | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 1 | Qualification for the Premiership play-off final |
| 12 | Aberdeen | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | Relegation to Championship |
Updated to match(es) played on 10 August 2025. Source: [2][3]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only if deciding champion, UEFA competition qualification, second stage group allocation, or relegation).[4]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only if deciding champion, UEFA competition qualification, second stage group allocation, or relegation).[4]
Notes:
- ^ Teams play each other three times (33 matches), before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).
- ^ The winners of the 2025–26 Scottish Cup will qualify for the Europa League. If the cup winners finish in the top two, the berth reserved for the cup winners (Europa League third qualifying round) passes to the third-placed team, and the berths for the Conference League second qualifying round are passed down to the fourth- and fifth-placed teams.
Scottish Championship
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Johnstone | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | Promotion to the Scottish Premiership |
| 2 | Arbroath | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 | Qualification for the Premiership play-off semi-final |
| 3 | Dunfermline Athletic | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 4 | Qualification for the Premiership play-off quarter-final |
| 4 | Raith Rovers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 5 | Greenock Morton | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 6 | Ross County | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | |
| 7 | Ayr United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1 | |
| 8 | Queen's Park | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 1 | |
| 9 | Airdrieonians | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 1 | Qualification for the Championship play-offs |
| 10 | Partick Thistle | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 | Relegation to League One |
Updated to match(es) played on 9 August 2025. Source: [5]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[6]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[6]
Scottish League One
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton Academical | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | Promotion to the Championship |
| 2 | Alloa Athletic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6 | Qualification for the Championship play-offs |
| 3 | Peterhead | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 | |
| 4 | Stenhousemuir | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 5 | Queen of the South | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Kelty Hearts | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
| 7 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 1[a] | |
| 8 | Montrose | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | |
| 9 | Cove Rangers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0 | Qualification for the League One play-offs |
| 10 | East Fife | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | Relegation to League Two |
Updated to match(es) played on 9 August 2025. Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[8]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[8]
Notes:
- ^ Inverness Caledonian Thistle were deducted five points for entering administration during the previous season.
Scottish League Two
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annan Athletic | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | Promotion to League One |
| 2 | Stirling Albion | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | Qualification for the League One play-offs |
| 3 | Forfar Athletic | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 | |
| 4 | The Spartans | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 | |
| 5 | East Kilbride | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Dumbarton | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 1[a] | |
| 7 | Clyde | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1 | |
| 8 | Elgin City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | |
| 9 | Stranraer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 10 | Edinburgh City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | −12[b] | Qualification for the League Two play-off final |
Updated to match(es) played on 9 August 2025. Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[11]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[11]
Notes:
- ^ Dumbarton were deducted five points for entering administration during the previous season.
- ^ Edinburgh City were deducted 15 points due to an insolvency event.[9]
Non-league football
[edit]Level 5
[edit]
|
|
Level 6
[edit]Highland
[edit]Lowland
[edit]|
Updated to match(es) played on 9 August 2025.
Source: [14] |
Updated to match(es) played on 9 August 2025.
Source: South of Scotland Football League |
Updated to match(es) played on 12 August 2025.
Source: [15]
|
Honours
[edit]Cup honours
[edit]| Competition | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Match report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 Scottish Cup | ||||
| 2025–26 League Cup | ||||
| 2025–26 Challenge Cup | ||||
| 2025–26 South Challenge Cup | ||||
| 2025–26 Youth Cup | ||||
| 2025–26 Junior Cup |
Non-league honours
[edit]Individual honours
[edit]PFA Scotland awards
[edit]| Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Players' Player of the Year | ||
| Young Player of the Year | ||
| Manager of the Year | ||
| Championship Player | ||
| League One Player | ||
| League Two Player |
SFWA awards
[edit]| Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Footballer of the Year | ||
| Young Player of the Year | ||
| Manager of the Year |
Scottish clubs in Europe
[edit]Summary
[edit]| Club | Competitions | Started round | Final round | Coef. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic | UEFA Champions League | Play-off round | ||
| Rangers | UEFA Champions League | Second qualifying round | 2.5 | |
| Aberdeen | UEFA Europa League | Play-off round | ||
| Hibernian | UEFA Europa League | Second qualifying round | Second qualifying round | 1.5 |
| UEFA Conference League | Third qualifying round | |||
| Dundee United | UEFA Conference League | Second qualifying round | 2.5 | |
| Total | 6.5 | |||
| Average | 1.3 | |||
Celtic
[edit]- UEFA Champions League
Having won the 2024–25 Scottish Premiership, Celtic will enter the Champions League in the play-off round.[16]
| 20 August 2025 PO | Celtic  | – |  Kairat or  Slovan Bratislava | Glasgow |
| Stadium: Celtic Park |
| 26 August 2025 PO | Kairat or Slovan Bratislava | – (– agg.) | Celtic |
Rangers
[edit]- UEFA Champions League
Having finished second in the 2024–25 Scottish Premiership, Rangers entered the Champions League in the second qualifying round.[16]
| 22 July 2025 QR2 | Rangers | 2–0 |  Panathinaikos | Glasgow |
Curtis  52'Gassama 78' |
Report | Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 49,548 Referee: Donatas Rumsas (Lithuania) |
| 30 July 2025 QR2 | Panathinaikos | 1–1 (1–3 agg.) | Rangers | Athens |
| Duricic 53' |
Report | Gassama 60' |
Stadium: Leoforos Alexandras Stadium Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy) |
| 5 August 2025 QR3 | Rangers | 3–0 |  Viktoria Plzeň | Glasgow |
| Gassama 15', 51' Dessers 45' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Ibrox Stadium Referee: Clément Turpin (France) |
| 12 August 2025 QR3 | Viktoria Plzeň | – (– agg.) | Rangers | Plzeň |
| Stadium: Doosan Arena |
Aberdeen
[edit]- UEFA Europa League
Having won the 2024–25 Scottish Cup, Aberdeen will enter the Europa League in the play-off round.[17]
| 21 August 2025 PO | Aberdeen | – |  FCSB or Drita | Aberdeen |
| Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium |
Hibernian
[edit]- UEFA Europa League
Having finished third in the 2024–25 Scottish Premiership, Hibernian entered the Europa League in the second qualifying round.[17]
| 24 July 2025 QR2 | Midtjylland  | 1–1 | Hibernian | Herning |
| Şimşir 72' |
Report | McGrath 7' |
Stadium: MCH Arena Referee: Robert Schröder (Germany) |
| 31 July 2025 QR2 | Hibernian | 1–2 (a.e.t.) (2–3 agg.) | Midtjylland | Edinburgh |
| Bushiri 105+1' |
Report | Osorio 94' Júnior Brumado 119' |
Stadium: Easter Road Referee: Gustavo Correia (Portugal) |
- UEFA Conference League
| 7 August 2025 Third qualifying round | FK Partizan  | 0–2 | Hibernian | Belgrade |
| Report | Boyle 40', 70' (pen.) |
Stadium: Partizan Stadium Referee: Philip Farrugia (Malta) |
| 14 August 2025 Third qualifying round | Hibernian | – (– agg.) | FK Partizan | Edinburgh |
| Stadium: Easter Road |
Dundee United
[edit]- UEFA Conference League
Having finished fourth in the 2024–25 Scottish Premiership, Dundee United entered the Conference League in the second qualifying round.[17]
| 24 July 2025 QR2 | Dundee United | 1–0 |  UNA Strassen | Dundee |
| Sapsford 47' |
Report | Stadium: Tannadice Park Referee: Marc Nagtegaal (Netherlands) |
| 31 July 2025 QR2 | UNA Strassen | 0–1 (0–2 agg.) | Dundee United | Differdange |
| Report | Iovu 63' |
Stadium: Stade Municipal Referee: Vilhjálmur Thórarinsson (Iceland) |
| 7 August 2025 Third qualifying round | Rapid Vienna  | 2–2 | Dundee United | Vienna |
| Dahl 27' Seidl 44' |
Report | Watters 33' Sapsford 75' |
Stadium: Allianz Stadion Referee: Luís Miguel Branco Godinho (Portugal) |
| 14 August 2025 Third qualifying round | Dundee United | – (– agg.) | Rapid Vienna | Dundee |
| Stadium: Tannadice Park |
Scotland national team
[edit]| 5 September 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Denmark | v | Scotland | Copenhagen |
| Stadium: Parken Stadium |
| 8 September 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Belarus  | v | Scotland | Zalaegerszeg |
| Stadium: ZTE Arena |
| 9 October 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Scotland | v | Greece | Glasgow |
| Stadium: Hampden Park |
| 12 October 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Scotland | v | Belarus | Glasgow |
| Stadium: Hampden Park |
| 15 November 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Greece | v | Scotland | Piraeus |
| Stadium: Karaiskakis Stadium |
| 18 November 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Scotland | v | Denmark | Glasgow |
| Stadium: Hampden Park |
Women's football
[edit]League and Cup honours
[edit]| Division | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025–26 SWPL 1 | |
| 2025–26 SWPL 2 | |
| 2025–26 SWF Championship (North) | |
| 2025–26 SWF Championship (South) |
| Competition | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Match report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Women's Cup | ||||
| Scottish Women's Premier League Cup | ||||
| SWFL First Division Cup | ||||
| SWFL Second Division Cup |
Individual honours
[edit]SWPL awards
[edit]| Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Players' Player of the Year | ||
| Player of the Year | ||
| Manager of the Year | ||
| Young Player of the Year |
Scottish Women's Premier League
[edit]Scotland women's national team
[edit]Deaths
[edit]- 22 July: John Fallon, 84, Celtic and Motherwell goalkeeper[18]
Notes and references
[edit]- ^ "Key dates for Season 2025/26". SPFL. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "Scottish Premiership Table". BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ "Premiership League Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League (Rule Number C35-C37)" (PDF). SPFL. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ^ "Championship Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "League One Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "SPFL statement - Edinburgh City". spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "League Two Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Highland League Table". BBC. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Highland Football League, Scotland - League Table". Highland Football League. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "League Tables Premier Division". East of Scotland Football League. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Premier Division". West of Scotland Football League. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ a b Winton, Richard (16 May 2025). "Who needs what in Premiership's final-day Europe race?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Why Aberdeen win is European blow for United". BBC Sport. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "Celtic goalkeeper & Lisbon Lion Fallon dies aged 84". BBC Sport. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.