Away supporters will not be permitted to attend Old Firm derbies between Celtic and Rangers for the remainder of the 2026/27 SPFL season, following an agreement between the two Glasgow clubs and the Scottish Professional Football League.
The decision was announced after a dispute arose over ticket allocations for the Premier Sports Cup fixture at Ibrox, scheduled for September 13. Rangers had proposed cutting the away allocation to just 300 tickets, a steep reduction from the 2,500 tickets previously agreed upon following crowd disturbances during the sides' Scottish Cup quarter-final in March. That earlier figure already represented a significant drop from the traditional allocation of 8,000 seats typically afforded to away fans for Old Firm fixtures.
Celtic rejected the revised proposal, prompting further talks between the two clubs with the SPFL stepping in to mediate. Ultimately, all parties agreed that suspending away attendance entirely for matches between the fierce rivals was the most workable solution, at least for now.
In a statement explaining the move, the SPFL referenced the fallout from the March 8 clash and the findings of an Independent Review into the incident. "Following the events of March 8 and the publication of the Independent Review, the arrangements for the forthcoming fixtures were reconsidered," the league said. "For the Premier Sports Cup tie at Ibrox, Rangers proposed a reduced away allocation based on its assessment of the circumstances and risks associated with that fixture."
The governing body added that discussions involving both clubs led to the broader agreement now in place. "After further discussions involving both clubs and the SPFL, agreement has been reached that there will be no away supporters for matches involving Rangers and Celtic in SPFL competitions for the remainder of the 2026/27 season," the statement continued.
According to the SPFL, the arrangement is designed to give all stakeholders — including Police Scotland — the time and space needed to properly digest the Independent Review's conclusions and implement any necessary changes before away fans are reintroduced to these high-profile fixtures. "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," the league explained.
The SPFL also suggested the blanket ban would remove some of the logistical headaches that have accompanied recent Old Firm fixtures, where ticketing negotiations have often become contentious in the buildup to matchday. "It will also provide greater certainty for supporters and those involved in matchday planning, while avoiding repeated uncertainty around ticketing arrangements for individual fixtures," the statement read.
Both Celtic and Rangers have accepted the ruling, though reportedly with some reluctance, as club officials continue searching for a longer-term resolution to the ticketing and safety issues that have plagued recent derbies. The clash in March, which sparked the chain of events leading to this decision, resulted in significant disorder that prompted the independent inquiry now shaping policy around the fixture.
The SPFL emphasized that the situation remains fluid and could be revisited depending on how circumstances develop. "All parties have committed to working constructively during this period, with safety and security remaining the priority," the league said, adding that "the position will remain subject to review should circumstances materially change during the season."
For now, supporters of both clubs will have to watch Old Firm derbies without the chance to travel to the opposition's stadium, marking a significant, if temporary, shift in one of world football's most storied and passionate rivalries.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.