Celtic and Rangers will play all their Scottish Premiership and League Cup matches this season without away supporters present. The Scottish Professional Football League confirmed the temporary arrangement this week, as reported by Sky Sports Football, following an independent review of incidents during last season's Scottish Cup tie.
Why were away fans banned?
The decision stems directly from events surrounding the Scottish Cup match at Ibrox in March. That fixture, governed by different competition rules, saw Celtic allocated the full Broomloan Stand, allowing approximately 7,500 away fans to attend. Rangers had initially offered only 300 tickets for that match, citing their own assessment of circumstances and risks. Celtic rejected that proposal, leading the SPFL to step in and make a determination on the matter.
Following the match, which featured on-pitch clashes between supporters, an independent review was commissioned. The SPFL stated the new temporary arrangement allows all parties to properly consider the review's findings and recommendations. "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 league said.
What does this mean for upcoming fixtures?
The immediate impact sees Rangers host Celtic in the League Cup next Sunday with no visiting supporters. Celtic will then host the league derby at Parkhead a week later, also without an away section. This marks a significant shift from the previous agreement between the clubs, which had stipulated a five percent away ticket allocation for all SPFL games at both grounds.
The SPFL emphasized the move provides clarity for all involved. "It will also provide greater certainty for supporters and those involved in matchday planning, while avoiding repeated uncertainty around ticketing arrangements for individual fixtures," their statement added. All parties have committed to working constructively with safety and security as the priority. The position remains subject to review if circumstances change materially during the campaign.
How does this affect Celtic's current season?
The news arrives as Celtic sit top of the Premiership with a perfect record. Brendan Rodgers' side has 12 points from four wins, scoring 11 goals and conceding just two for a +9 goal difference. They hold a two-point lead over St Mirren in the early table. The team's next fixture is an away trip to face Aberdeen on December 19th. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
Celtic's strong start comes despite several key absences. The current injury list includes Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Jota, Kasper Høgh, and Kieran Tierney. Updates on their recovery timelines are available on our dedicated injuries section.
What happens after this season?
Arrangements for matches between the clubs beyond the current 2026/27 campaign will be considered well in advance of the 2027/28 season. The temporary ban allows time for a thorough planning process. The SPFL and both clubs will use this period to implement any necessary safety measures identified by the independent review.
The decision ensures a consistent approach for all league and League Cup derbies this term, removing the potential for last-minute disputes over ticket allocations. Supporters seeking the latest league standings can always check our standings page. Celtic travel to face 10th-placed Aberdeen on December 19th.
