Celtic and Rangers away fans barred from all Old Firm Premiership and League Cup games this season
Decision comes following the on-pitch clashes between fans after the Scottish Cup match in March; SPFL statement: "There will be no away supporters for matches involving Rangers and Celtic in SPFL competitions for the remainder of the 2026/27 season"
Friday 4 September 2026 15:32, UK
There will be no fans allowed at Old Firm games between Celtic and Rangers in this season's Premiership and League Cup, the SPFL has announced.
Rangers host Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup on September 13 and the teams then meet at Parkhead in the league a week later - live on Sky Sports.
Both clubs had previously agreed on an away ticket allocation of five per cent would be in place for all SPFL games at both grounds.
However, following the on-pitch clashes between fans after their Scottish Cup match in March and an independent review, those arrangements were reconsidered.
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Rangers offered 300 tickets, instead of around 2,500, based on their assessment of the circumstances and risks associated with that fixture.
Celtic rejected that proposal and the SPFL stepped in to make a determination.
Following discussions involving both clubs and the SPFL, the decision was made to lock out away fans from the Old Firm meetings this season in the SPFL.
An SPFL statement added: "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.
"It will also provide greater certainty for supporters and those involved in matchday planning, while avoiding repeated uncertainty around ticketing arrangements for individual fixtures.
"All parties have committed to working constructively during this period, with safety and security remaining the priority.
"The position will remain subject to review should circumstances materially change during the season.
"Arrangements for matches between the clubs beyond the current season will be considered well in advance of the 2027/28 season."
Both managers expressed their disappointment at the decision, but understood why it had been taken.
"From a normal fan's viewpoint, it's really quite sad," Celtic boss Martin O'Neill told Sky Sports News.
"I must admit, it's one of the most phenomenal fixtures in European football, if not the world. And despite the calibre of the teams, it's just a mouth-watering fixture.
"Perhaps maybe the two clubs should maybe try and get together and see if they could sort something out.
"It's not great not to have your away fans at a stadium. I don't think it was ever going to work when Rangers offered 300 tickets for the game. Celtic's viewpoint was, 'what was the point in having 300?' So they decided not to have any, and then the decision was made that no away fans would be in the stadiums, at least for the foreseeable future."
Rangers' Derek McInnes added: "I've literally just walked in from training and I noticed the news on the Sky ticker tape.
"The first reaction is disappointing that it's been made. I don't know the club's position on it at the minute, it's more appropriate that the club speaks on it but it's always better when opposition fans are allowed into a derby game.
"Generally speaking it's always better in any fixture if your supporters are there to be able to watch your team, but obviously in the context of everything that's gone on with this fixture there's a lot to consider and a lot to discuss."
