The Scottish Professional Football League has confirmed that no travelling supporters will be permitted to attend any Old Firm encounters between Celtic and Rangers in this campaign's Premiership fixtures and the League Cup. The decision follows a series of incidents and a subsequent independent review that prompted both clubs and the governing body to rethink the traditional away‑ticket allocation.
The first of the two matches affected by the new policy is the Premier Sports Cup tie scheduled for 13 September, when Rangers will host Celtic at Ibrox. A week later the two sides will meet again in the league at Celtic Park, with both games slated for live broadcast on Sky Sports.
Historically, the clubs had agreed that a modest five‑percent of the stadium capacity would be set aside for away fans at every SPFL venue, a figure that usually translates into a few thousand tickets for each side. However, the atmosphere after the Scottish Cup showdown in March turned volatile, with on‑field scuffles and off‑field confrontations between supporters.
An independent review was commissioned to examine the causes, the security failures and the broader implications for fan safety. The report’s findings led Rangers to propose a dramatically reduced allocation of just 300 tickets for the upcoming fixtures, a number that reflected the club’s assessment of risk and the logistical challenges of policing such a high‑profile derby. Celtic rejected the limited offer, arguing that a token figure of 300 would not constitute a meaningful away presence and would undermine the spirit of the rivalry.
With the two clubs at an impasse, the SPFL intervened to make a final determination. After extensive consultations involving the clubs, the league, Police Scotland and other relevant stakeholders, the league announced a temporary suspension of all away‑fan attendance for Old Firm matches for the remainder of the season.
The SPFL released a statement explaining the rationale: "This temporary arrangement will allow both clubs, together with the SPFL, Police Scotland and other relevant stakeholders, to give proper consideration to the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review, take forward the necessary actions and ensure sufficient time is available to plan future fixtures thoroughly. It will also provide greater certainty for supporters and those involved in matchday planning, while avoiding repeated uncertainty around ticketing arrangements for individual fixtures. All parties have committed to working constructively during this period, with safety and security remaining the priority. The position will remain subject to review should circumstances materially change during the season.
Arrangements for matches between the clubs beyond the current season will be considered well in advance of the 2027/28 season." Both managers expressed disappointment but also a pragmatic understanding of why the measure was taken. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill told Sky Sports News, "From a normal fan's viewpoint, it's really quite sad.
I must admit, it's one of the most phenomenal fixtures in European football, if not the world. And despite the calibre of the teams, it's just a mouth‑watering fixture.
Perhaps the two clubs should try and get together and see if they could sort something out. It's not great not to have your away fans at a stadium.
I don't think it was ever going to work when Rangers offered 300 tickets for the game. Celtic's viewpoint was, 'what was the point in having 300?' So they decided not to have any, and then the decision was made that no away fans would be in the stadiums, at least for the foreseeable future." Rangers' manager Derek McInnes echoed a similar sentiment: "I've literally just walked in from training and I noticed the news on the Sky ticker tape. The first reaction is disappointment that it's been made.
I don't know the club's position on it at the minute, it's more appropriate that the club speaks on it but it's always better when opposition fans are allowed into a derby game. Generally speaking it's always better in any fixture if your supporters are there to be able to watch your team, but obviously in the context of everything that's gone on with this fixture there's a lot to consider and a lot to discuss." The ban on travelling fans is intended to be a stop‑gap solution while the independent review's recommendations are implemented. Security experts stress that derbies of this magnitude carry unique challenges, from crowd control to the potential for violence both inside and outside the stadium. By eliminating the away‑fan element for the season, authorities hope to reduce the risk of flashpoints and give police and club officials a clearer framework for managing the events.
Critics, however, argue that the decision could set a concerning precedent, potentially eroding the traditional atmosphere that makes the Old Firm rivalry so compelling. They point out that well‑managed away sections have historically contributed to the spectacle, providing a vocal counter‑balance and enhancing the overall experience for neutral spectators.
The clubs and the league have pledged to revisit the policy if circumstances change, and to engage in long‑term planning for the 2027/28 season and beyond, with the aim of re‑introducing a safe and sustainable away‑fan presence. In the meantime, both Celtic and Rangers will have to adapt their match‑day operations, focusing on domestic supporters and ensuring that the reduced crowd size does not diminish the commercial or sporting significance of the fixtures. Ticket revenue, hospitality packages, and broadcast agreements remain largely unaffected, but the emotional tenor of the games will inevitably feel different without the usual chorus of rival chants echoing from the opposite end of the ground. The broader Scottish football community will be watching closely to see how the experiment unfolds, and whether the lessons learned can be applied to other high‑risk fixtures across the country.
The SPFL's commitment to safety, combined with ongoing dialogue among clubs, police, and fan groups, will determine whether the Old Firm can eventually return to its historic format of shared stadiums and passionate, yet controlled, supporter interaction. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.