The new Scottish Premiership campaign is set to launch with plenty of excitement, and every match from the opening weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The action kicks off on Friday with Rangers traveling to face Dundee United, and wraps up on Monday when Celtic meet Dundee. After a dramatic conclusion to last season—Celtic clinching the title on the final day against Hearts—the league returns with fresh faces, new managerial appointments, updated regulations, and a host of other developments that fans should keep an eye on. To help supporters navigate the changes, here is an A‑Z guide covering everything that’s different or noteworthy for the 2024‑25 season.
A – Artificial Surface: The Falkirk Stadium remains the sole venue in the Premiership still featuring an artificial pitch. Kilmarnock have reverted to a natural grass surface at Rugby Park, and Livingston’s relegation means no other clubs are using synthetic turf. B – Broken Hearts: Following the heartbreak of missing out on a top‑flight title for the first time in 66 years, several key players have departed.
Captain Lawrence Shankland left for Rangers despite being under a three‑year contract, head coach Derek McInnes also exited, and influential midfielder Cammy Devlin followed suit, rejecting a renewed deal at Tynecastle to join Ibrox. C – Captains: New armbands will be worn at Aberdeen, Hearts, Kilmarnock, Rangers and St Mirren after the exits of Graeme Shinnie, Lawrence Shankland, Brad Lyons, James Tavernier and Mark O'Hara respectively. Each club will look to its new leaders to set the tone for the season. D – Deadline Day: The Scottish Premiership transfer window shuts on 3 September at 17:00, two days after the English Premier League deadline.
Clubs that feel they have not completed their squads can still make moves well into September, giving them ample time to fine‑tune their rosters. E – European Ambitions: Five Scottish sides entered the European qualifiers this summer, but this year the race narrows to the top four places. Scotland’s declining UEFA coefficient is likely to cost the league a spot, making every league point crucial for clubs hoping to secure continental football. F – Flag Days: Champions Celtic will again hoist the league flag when they face Dundee on Monday, while newly promoted St Johnstone will raise the Championship flag at home against Kilmarnock on Sunday, signalling their return to the top tier.
G – Gordon: Goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be absent from Scottish football for the first time since the SPFL’s inception in 2013. The 43‑year‑old Hearts legend announced his retirement after Scotland’s World Cup exit, ending a career that began 25 years ago. H – Hogh: Celtic have shattered their own transfer record by signing Danish striker Kasper Hogh from Bodø Glimt for an initial £11 million plus add‑ons. Hogh is expected to fill the void left by Daizen Maeda, who departed for Ipswich Town.
I – International Breaks: After the World Cup, the international calendar now features two, rather than three, windows. Players should anticipate an extended break of nearly three weeks across September and October, which could affect club momentum.
J – Johansson: Motherwell’s new manager Alfred Johansson, aged just 35, steps into the role after Jens Berthel Askou’s move to Toulouse. Johansson becomes the youngest head coach in the division and faces the task of restoring Motherwell’s competitive edge.
K – Kenobi Connection: Aberdeen’s left‑back Nesta Guinness‑Walker boasts an unusual lineage—he is the great‑grandson of Sir Alec Guinness, famed for portraying Obi‑Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy. L – Law Changes: VAR now has the authority to intervene on second yellow‑card incidents, mirroring the protocol introduced at the World Cup. Additionally, players have a five‑second window to execute throw‑ins and goal kicks, substitutes must leave the field within ten seconds, and medical treatment periods are capped at one minute. M – McInnes Return: Rangers appoint Derek McInnes for a fifth consecutive season with a new manager at the helm, tasking him with achieving what previous permanent managers could not—winning the league title.
N – New Mascot: St Johnstone are seeking a fresh face for their mascot role after Brogan the Beagle retired after an eleven‑year tenure. The club invites fans to suggest candidates for the beloved character.
O – O’Neill’s Fourth Spell: At 74, Martin O’Neill returns to Celtic for what is technically his fourth stint. He previously guided the club to a league‑cup double after taking over from Brendan Rodgers and later Wilfried Nancy. P – Promoted Side: St Johnstone rejoin the Premiership after a single season away, becoming the sole newly promoted club following St Mirren’s successful play‑off final against Partick Thistle.
Q – Questionable Cuts: Falkirk’s League Cup trialist David Ninkovic may face some teasing over his new haircut as the season begins, adding a light‑hearted note to the pre‑season chatter. R – Robinson’s Rebuild: Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson embarks on his first full season at Pittodrie, aiming to reshape the squad. In parallel, former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie joins the club’s board of directors, bringing valuable experience to the governance side.
S – Six: All twelve Premiership clubs will be featured live on Sky Sports over the opening weekend—a historic first that means six matches per day will be available for fans across the UK. T – Transfers: To date, the twelve clubs have collectively secured over 80 new signings. With more than a month left before the transfer window closes, further activity is expected as teams fine‑tune their squads.
U – Ultras: Every Premiership side now boasts an organized ultras group, aiming to amplify atmosphere and vocal support within the stands, a development that promises louder, more passionate matchdays. V – Vrancken Arrival: Hearts appoint Wouter Vrancken as their new manager, succeeding Derek McInnes. Vrancken, who was named Belgian Manager of the Year and narrowly missed a league title with Genk in 2023, is tasked with reigniting Hearts’ title ambitions. W – World Cup Afterglow: The Premiership season begins just twelve days after the World Cup final.
While Spain’s champions featured no Scottish players, two Spaniards—Unax Alvarez at St Johnstone and Samuel Ramos at St Mirren—have joined the league, adding an international flair. X – X‑Factor Experience: Motherwell captain Paul McGinn, now 35, becomes the oldest player in the division, coincidentally sharing the same age as his manager Alfred Johansson, highlighting the blend of experience and youth across the league.
Y – Years Since Non‑Old‑Firm Triumph: It has been 41 years since a club outside the Old Firm claimed the league title. Hearts came close last season, pushing the competition to the final day. Whether they or another challenger can break the duopoly remains a central storyline. Z – Zero Unbroadcast Matches: No Premiership game will be omitted from Sky Sports’ live coverage this weekend.
The opening fixture at Tannadice sees Rangers take on Dundee United, kicking off a fully televised opening weekend. Fans can also enjoy the Scottish Premiership through NOW’s streaming service, and a promotional Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000 with free entry. The season promises fresh narratives, fierce competition, and plenty of footballing drama for supporters across Scotland and beyond.