Derby dates revealed as SPFL publishes 2024/25 Premiership fixture list

The SPFL have released the Premiership fixture list for the upcoming 2024/25 season, with teams across the country learning who they will face on opening day.

All 12 top flight sides can now draw up their plans after the full schedule was published, with derby dates confirmed and key fixtures lined up.

Last season’s winners Celtic begin their season with a home match against Kilmarnock on August 4, where the champions flag will be raised, while runners-up Rangers are away at Hearts for a lunchtime kick-off on August 3.

There’s a Dundee derby on the first Sunday, with newly-promoted Dundee United unfurling the Championship flag at Tannadice before taking on their city rivals.

St Mirren start their campaign at home to Hibernian, while Motherwell take on Ross County at Fir Park.

Aberdeen will start their first league match under new boss Jimmy Thelin away at St Johnstone on Monday, August 5.

SPFL group chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “The publication of the fixture list is always an eagerly-anticipated day in the calendar for clubs and fans alike and 2024/25 promises to be another hugely exciting season across all four divisions of the SPFL.

“Season 2023/24 saw record attendances, with more than five million supporters attending matches across all our competitions, again highlighting the huge interest in Scottish football.

“This coming season will also see more matches shown live on TV than ever before and I would like to thank Sky Sports and our other broadcast partners for helping to showcase the SPFL. I wish all 42 clubs the very best for season 2024/25 and hope supporters continue to enjoy the drama and passion that Scottish football is so renowned for.”

The first Old Firm derby of the season will be at Celtic Park on August 31, with Rangers hosting their rivals on January 2. The teams meet for a third time at Parkhead on March 15.

Hibs host Hearts in the first Edinburgh derby of the season on October 26, with the teams meeting again at Tynecastle on Boxing Day. The third clash between the teams will be in Leith on March 1.

Dundee United take on their city rivals on August 4 as the Dundee derby makes a top flight return on the opening weekend. The teams then meet at Dens Park on January 2 and again at Tynecastle on March 15.

The league kicks off on the weekend of August 3/4, with the final Premiership matches played on May 13/14. The league splits in the top and bottom six after 33 games.

The Championship and League One and Two finish on May 2, with the promotion and relegation play-offs running through until May 25.

The expansion of the Champions League and Europa League group stages from six to eight group games, means that Scottish sides are guaranteed to be involved in continental competition until at least the end of January.

Those extra matches have put a squeeze on the available dates for league games and so there will be no winter break this season.

Rangers fans face a wait to find out where the club will play its home games early in the season. The club revealed last week that a delay in renovation work on the Copland Road stand at the club’s stadium meant that “there will be an impact on matches at Ibrox at the beginning of the 2024/25 competitive season”.

The club could play ‘home’ fixtures at a different stadium, with Hampden and Murrayfield both reported as potential potential options, or a request could be made to reverse the published home fixtures, with games that are down to be played at Ibrox early in the season switched to the opposition’s ground, and the reverse fixture later in the season being moved to Ibrox.

Rangers have promised to update fans with their plan in due course.

Fixtures for the Championship, League One and League Two have also been released. Full details can be found on the SPFL website.