Away supporters banned from Old Firm matches for 2026/27 season
Away supporters have been locked out of every Old Firm clash in the Scottish Premiership and League Cup for the entirety of the 2026/27 campaign, the SPFL confirmed this afternoon, reports BritPanorama.
The governing body announced that Celtic and Rangers reached an agreement with the league that no travelling fans would be permitted at any fixture between the Glasgow rivals in SPFL competitions this season. The ban follows months of deliberation after fan disorder at Ibrox earlier this year, with both clubs also facing behind-closed-doors sanctions for their next home Scottish Cup ties as a separate punishment.
This decision takes immediate effect ahead of a packed fortnight of derby action in Scotland. Rangers are due to host Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on 13 September, before the sides reconvene at Parkhead for a Premiership encounter on 20 September.
Previously, both clubs operated under an arrangement reserving five per cent of each ground’s capacity for visiting supporters at SPFL fixtures, providing roughly 2,500 away tickets for matches at either venue. However, this convention has now been entirely set aside for the duration of the current campaign.
The catalyst for this unprecedented step was the ugly scenes that unfolded after the Scottish Cup quarter-final between the sides at Ibrox in March, when supporters from both clubs clashed on the pitch. An independent review was subsequently commissioned to assess the incident and its wider implications.
In discussions about ticketing for the new season, Rangers proposed allocating just 300 seats to visiting Celtic fans, a dramatic reduction from the customary 2,500. Celtic refused to accept such a diminished allocation, leaving the matter unresolved between the clubs. Consequently, the SPFL was compelled to intervene and impose its own determination.
The SPFL has stated that this measure is temporary in nature, allowing both clubs, along with Police Scotland and other stakeholders, to consider the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review, ensuring ample time for future fixture planning.
The league expressed that this arrangement would provide “greater certainty for supporters and those involved in matchday planning.” All parties have pledged to work cooperatively during this period, with safety remaining a priority. The situation will be kept under review should conditions change materially, and ticketing arrangements for the 2027/28 campaign are to be settled well in advance.
In the backdrop of a storied rivalry, the absence of away fans not only alters the atmosphere but serves as a reminder of the complexities and sometimes turbulent nature of football culture in Scotland.
