Scottish Premiership fixtures announced as Celtic 'disappointed' with flag day schedule

The Scottish Premiership fixtures for next season have been announced, with champions Celtic “disappointed” with the opening weekend schedule.

The Hoops sealed the title on a dramatic final day against Hearts, denying the Jambos a historical triumph with a 3-1 win at Parkhead.

And as such, the champions historically celebrate flag day at home and often on a Sunday. This year, Celtic will play Dundee at 7.30pm on Monday, August 3.

The club said in a statement: “Clearly, our priority will always be our supporters and, against any measure, staging the Champions Flag Day on a Monday evening is disappointing.

“We have made repeated representations to Police Scotland and to the SPFL to avoid this scheduling; however, surprisingly, we have been told that there is no choice owing to Police Scotland being unable to support the fixture on a weekend which coincides with other events.

“Through positive dialogue with the SPFL and Sky Sports, however, it has been agreed that in recognition of the demands placed on our travelling supporters, particularly from Ireland, the kick off will be brought forward to the earlier time of 7.30pm from the previously designated 8pm start, something which is significant for travel connections.

“While it will never detract from the team’s phenomenal and most deserving achievement, we feel strongly that a weekend timing should have been facilitated in the interests of both teams, both sets of supporters and the status of the fixture.

“Regardless of these disappointing circumstances, we will still ensure that this is a very special day for our supporters as we celebrate our fifth consecutive Premiership title.”

The Scottish Premiership fixtures for 2026/27

Dundee United vs Rangers will be the first game of the season, on Friday, July 31 at 8pm.

There will be two games the following day, with Falkirk hosting St Mirren at 3pm and last season’s runners-up Hearts, who will have a new manager in place following McInnes’ departure, visiting Aberdeen for a 5.30pm showdown at Pittodrie.

On Sunday, August 2, newly promoted St Johnstone return to top-flight action with a 2pm kick-off at home to Kilmarnock before Hibernian and Motherwell, who will both be in Conference League action the previous Thursday, meet at Easter Road at 4.30pm.

That will be the first league game for whoever Well appoint as successor to Jens Berthel Askou.

All six top-flight matches on the opening weekend will kick off at different times, and all will be televised live by Sky Sports.

Rangers’ new boss Derek McInnes will go head-to-head with Martin O’Neill in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park on Sunday, September 20, with the first Ibrox showdown between the two Glasgow rivals taking place on the first weekend of January.

McInnes and Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland, also moving from Hearts to Rangers this summer, are guaranteed a hostile reception when they visit Tynecastle for the first time in a midweek match in late October.

Similarly, the rematch of last season’s final-day title decider between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park in mid-October is sure to be loaded with charge.

The first Edinburgh derby is at Easter Road on the midweek of September 2, with the first Tynecastle showdown between Hearts and Hibs set for Boxing Day. The two sides face each other back at Easter Road in the final game before the split.

The first Dundee derby is at Tannadice on matchday three, on the weekend of August 22-23, while the first Dens Park showdown takes place on the first weekend of January.

Once again, there will be no winter break. The first three rounds of fixtures will conclude on the weekend of April 10-11, with the post-split schedule beginning a fortnight later.

The league campaign will end on the weekend of May 15-16.

The full list of fixtures can be found here.