SPFL Announce Celtic Glasgow Derby Decision

The SPFL has confirmed there will be no away supporters at Celtic and Rangers matches in league and League Cup competitions for the rest of the 2026/27 season.

The decision affects the Premier Sports Cup tie at Ibrox on September 13 and the William Hill Premiership meeting at Celtic Park on September 20, as well as any further SPFL fixtures between the clubs this campaign.

It comes after the Scottish FA’s Independent Review into events surrounding the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on March 8, and after further talks involving the SPFL, Celtic, Rangers and Police Scotland.

The previous position had been that Celtic and Rangers agreed to an away allocation of 5% of available capacity at both grounds. That arrangement has now been put on hold.

In its statement, the SPFL said: “Celtic and Rangers had previously agreed that an away ticket allocation of 5% of the available capacity for both grounds would apply for their SPFL matches against one another.”

However, that changed after the review into the March fixture. Rangers proposed a reduced away allocation for the upcoming Premier Sports Cup tie at Ibrox, based on their own assessment of the fixture. Celtic did not accept that reduced proposal and asked the SPFL to make a determination.

The SPFL added: “For the Premier Sports Cup tie at Ibrox, Rangers proposed a reduced away allocation based on its assessment of the circumstances and risks associated with that fixture. Celtic did not accept that proposal and sought a determination from the SPFL.”

Celtic had previously agreed to the 5% arrangement, but were not prepared to accept a reduced allocation being imposed for the Ibrox tie.

After further talks, the outcome is that no away fans will attend matches between the clubs in SPFL competitions for the remainder of the season.

The SPFL said: “After further discussions involving both clubs and the SPFL, agreement has been reached that there will be no away supporters for matches involving Rangers and Celtic in SPFL competitions for the remainder of the 2026/27 season.”

The league bosses described it as a temporary arrangement, designed to allow time for the clubs, the SPFL, Police Scotland and others to consider the recommendations from the Independent Review and plan future fixtures properly.

The statement continued: “This temporary arrangement will allow both clubs, together with the SPFL, Police Scotland and other relevant stakeholders, to give proper consideration to the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review, take forward the necessary actions and ensure sufficient time is available to plan future fixtures thoroughly.”

The decision will frustrate supporters who had expected away fans to return under the agreed 5% model. Celtic had been willing to work within that framework, but the attempt to reduce the allocation for the Ibrox cup tie changed the position.

For now, Celtic supporters will not be inside Ibrox on September 13, and Rangers supporters will not be inside Celtic Park a week later.

The SPFL has said the position remains subject to review if circumstances materially change during the season, while arrangements beyond the current campaign will be considered well ahead of 2027/28.