The 2024–25 Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the 79th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition. Rangers are the defending champions.
![]() Premier Sports Cup logo | |
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Country | Scotland |
Dates | 13 July – 15 December 2024 |
Teams | 45 |
Defending champions | Rangers |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 32 |
Goals scored | 102 (3.19 per match) |
Top goal scorer(s) | 7 players (3 goals) |
All statistics correct as of 17 July 2024. |
Schedule
editRound | First match date | Fixtures | Clubs |
---|---|---|---|
Group stage | 13 July 2024[1] | 80 | 45 → 16 |
Second round | 17 August 2024[1] | 8 | 16 → 8 |
Quarter-finals | 21 September 2024[1] | 4 | 8 → 4 |
Semi-finals | 2 November 2024[1] | 2 | 4 → 2 |
Final | 15 December 2024[1] | 1 | 2 → 1 |
Format
editThe competition begins with eight groups of five teams.[2] The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Heart of Midlothian and Kilmarnock) and Conference League (St Mirren) receive a bye to the second round. The group stage consists of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2023–24, the 2023–24 Highland Football League champions (Buckie Thistle) and runners-up (Brechin City), and the 2023–24 Lowland Football League champions (East Kilbride).[2]
The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progress to the second round (last 16). At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants are seeded.
Bonus point system
editThe traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw is used. In addition, for each group stage match that finishes in a draw, a penalty shoot-out takes place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[3]
Group stage
editThe teams are seeded according to their final league positions in 2023–24 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot. The draw for the group stage took place on 29 May 2024 and was broadcast live on the Premier Sports and SPFL YouTube channels.[4]
Group A
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AIR | ABE | QOS | EKB | DUM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Airdrieonians | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 27 Jul | 8–0 | — | |
2 | Aberdeen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 23 Jul | — | — | — | 27 Jul | |
3 | Queen of the South | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 3 | — | 0–3 | — | — | 2–0 | ||
4 | East Kilbride | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 2 | — | 20 Jul | 23 Jul | — | — | ||
5 | Dumbarton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 | 20 Jul | — | — | 1–1p | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group B
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STE | DUN | FAL | AYR | BUC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stenhousemuir | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | 23 Jul | 4–0 | |
2 | Dundee United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 3–0 | — | — | 20 Jul | — | |
3 | Falkirk | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | 27 Jul | 2–0 | — | — | — | ||
4 | Ayr United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | — | — | 1–0 | — | 27 Jul | ||
5 | Buckie Thistle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | — | 23 Jul | 20 Jul | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group C
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HIB | QPA | ELG | KEL | PET | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hibernian | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 6 | Qualification for the second round | — | 5–1 | — | — | 27 Jul | |
2 | Queen's Park | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | — | — | 23 Jul | 27 Jul | — | |
3 | Elgin City | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 2 | 0–5 | — | — | p1—1 | — | ||
4 | Kelty Hearts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 Jul | — | — | — | 23 Jul | ||
5 | Peterhead | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 | — | 0–5 | 20 Jul | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group D
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | DND | ANN | BON | ICT | ARB | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dundee | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 6 | Qualification for the second round | — | 23 Jul | — | 27 Jul | — | |
2 | Annan Athletic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | Possible qualification for the second round | — | — | 2–2p | 1–0 | — | |
3 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 2 | 1–7 | — | — | — | 27 Jul | ||
4 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | — | — | 20 Jul | — | 23 Jul | ||
5 | Arbroath | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | 0–2 | 20 Jul | — | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group E
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SPA | LIV | DNF | FOR | COV | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Spartans | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 3 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 0–3 | 23 Jul | — | |
2 | Livingston | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 27 Jul | — | 20 Jul | — | — | |
3 | Dunfermline Athletic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | — | — | — | 0–2 | 27 Jul | ||
4 | Forfar Athletic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | — | 0–2 | — | — | 20 Jul | ||
5 | Cove Rangers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 | 0–5 | 23 Jul | — | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group F
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | EFI | STJ | GMO | ALL | BRE | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | East Fife | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 4 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 3–0 | — | 23 Jul | |
2 | St Johnstone | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 27 Jul | — | 20 Jul | — | — | |
3 | Greenock Morton | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 3 | — | — | — | 27 Jul | 1–0 | ||
4 | Alloa Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | p0—0 | 23 Jul | — | — | — | ||
5 | Brechin City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | — | 1–2 | — | 20 Jul | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group G
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MOT | CLY | PAR | MON | EDI | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Motherwell | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 5 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 28 Jul | — | 3–0 | |
2 | Clyde | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 20 Jul | — | — | 27 Jul | — | |
3 | Partick Thistle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | — | 23 Jul | — | 3–2 | — | ||
4 | Montrose | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1 | 1–1p | — | — | — | 23 Jul | ||
5 | Edinburgh City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | −8 | 0 | — | 0–5 | 20 Jul | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Group H
editPos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | RAI | ROS | STI | HAM | STR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Raith Rovers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | — | 27 Jul | 2–1 | |
2 | Ross County | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | Possible qualification for the second round | 20 Jul | — | 27 Jul | — | — | |
3 | Stirling Albion | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 2 | 0–3 | — | — | — | 23 Jul | ||
4 | Hamilton Academical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 23 Jul | 0–0p | — | — | ||
5 | Stranraer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 | — | 1–3 | — | 20 Jul | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Best runners-up
editPos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | D | Annan Athletic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | Qualification for the second round |
2 | G | Clyde | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 3 | |
3 | A | Aberdeen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | |
4 | H | Ross County | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
5 | E | Livingston | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | |
6 | C | Queen's Park | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 3 | |
7 | B | Dundee United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
8 | F | St Johnstone | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
Knockout phase
editSecond round
editDraw and seeding
editCeltic, Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Kilmarnock and St Mirren enter the competition at this stage, due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.[2]
Seeded | Unseeded |
---|---|
Media coverage
editThe domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by Premier Sports, who will broadcast between 12 and 16 live matches per season, as well as highlights.[15]
The following matches will be broadcast live on UK television:
Round | Date | Match |
---|---|---|
Group stage | 13 July 2024 | Queen of the South v Aberdeen[16] |
16 July 2024 | Hibernian v Queen's Park[16] | |
20 July 2024 | Dundee United v Ayr United[16] | |
23 July 2024 | Aberdeen v Airdrieonians[16] | |
28 July 2024 | Motherwell v Partick Thistle[16] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Key dates for Season 2024/25". SPFL. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "Premier Sports Cup seedings". SPFL. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Premier Sports Cup group stage draw". SPFL. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Premier Sports to sponsor League Cup". SPFL. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Premier Sports Cup group stage fixtures". SPFL. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.