Breaking: There will be no away supporters at matches involving Rangers and Celtic in SPFL competitions for the remainder of the 2026/27 season.
The decision means supporters of the visiting team will not be allocated tickets for Old Firm fixtures, in a significant change to the traditional arrangements for one of Scottish football’s biggest rivalries.
The measure will apply whenever Rangers and Celtic meet in SPFL competitions during the remainder of the campaign, meaning there will be no away allocation at either Ibrox or Celtic Park.
No Away Support at Old Firm Fixtures
Under the new arrangement, Celtic supporters will not be able to attend as an away support when Rangers host their Glasgow rivals at Ibrox.
Likewise, Rangers supporters will be excluded from Celtic’s away allocation when the fixture is played at Celtic Park.
The decision represents a major departure from the previously agreed arrangements, under which visiting supporters were expected to receive a percentage of the available tickets for Old Firm fixtures.
The change follows concerns surrounding crowd behaviour and disorder connected to previous meetings between the two clubs.
Immediate Fixtures Affected
The decision is particularly significant given the Old Firm fixtures already scheduled for the early part of the 2026/27 season.
Rangers and Celtic are due to meet at Ibrox in the League Cup quarter-final on 13 September, before Celtic host Rangers in a Scottish Premiership fixture at Celtic Park on 20 September.
Both matches will be played without an away support.
The lack of visiting supporters is likely to have a major impact on the atmosphere surrounding the fixtures, which traditionally attract intense support from both sets of fans.
Why Has the Decision Been Made?
The decision comes after a period of heightened scrutiny surrounding supporter behaviour at Old Firm matches.
Disorder surrounding the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on 8 March 2026 was followed by an independent review into the events.
The authorities have subsequently taken steps aimed at reducing the potential for further incidents at matches between Rangers and Celtic.
Removing the away allocation is viewed as a temporary measure designed to reduce the risks associated with large groups of rival supporters attending the same fixture.
However, the decision is likely to generate debate among supporters, with many fans regarding the presence of an away support as an important part of Scottish football’s matchday tradition.
Temporary Arrangement
The SPFL has indicated that the decision is not necessarily permanent.
The arrangement can be reviewed if circumstances materially change, while future arrangements for the 2027/28 season will be considered separately.
For now, however, Rangers and Celtic supporters will have to watch their team’s away Old Firm fixtures from elsewhere.
The decision effectively removes one of the most recognisable features of the fixture — thousands of visiting supporters occupying a section of the stadium — for the rest of the current SPFL campaign.
With multiple Old Firm meetings potentially still to come across domestic competitions, the policy could have a considerable impact on the atmosphere and wider experience surrounding the rivalry.
For supporters, clubs and Scottish football authorities alike, the focus will now be on ensuring that the fixtures can take place safely while avoiding a repeat of the incidents that prompted the latest restrictions.