Celtic are due to open the 2026-27 Scottish Premiership season at home to Dundee on 3 August, but the bigger issue is when that game will actually be played. The champions have voiced frustration over the prospect of a Monday evening start, saying they pushed repeatedly to avoid it. That leaves the SPFL's fixture release carrying an early annoyance for the title holders.
A statement carried by BBC Sport set out the club's position plainly. Celtic explained that they made "repeated representations" to Police Scotland and to the SPFL to avoid a Monday kick-off but were told there was "no choice".
Daily Record reporting has framed the issue slightly differently, saying Celtic could be forced to begin their quest for six-in-a-row on a Monday night as the fixtures are prepared. That distinction matters. The frustration is clear, but the opening game has not been presented here as a fully confirmed Monday switch.
Why the opening weekend is under pressure
The scheduling problem is not hard to trace. Commonwealth Games cycling events are scheduled at the Sir Chris Hoy Arena near Celtic Park over the opening weekend, while Hampden is hosting concerts on 1 and 2 August.
That leaves less room for the authorities to manage policing, transport and stadium operations across the city. Celtic's complaint seems fair enough on that front. A home opener against Dundee should be one of the cleaner fixtures to place on a standard weekend slot, but the Glasgow calendar has squeezed the league before the season has even started.
The club's frustration also tells you this was not accepted quietly. According to the BBC report, they tried more than once to change the direction of it and were still told there was no alternative. That does not mean the SPFL handled it badly, because the wider event picture may have left very few options, but it does explain why Celtic are unhappy.
It is an irritation, not a football problem
From a football point of view, this is still a manageable start for the champions. Celtic finished first last season and closed the league campaign with five straight wins. They also clinched a fifth straight title by beating Hearts in the final few minutes of the last game.
Those numbers matter because they strip away some of the noise around the opening date. Dundee finished ninth and ended last season on 42 points, so this is not a fixture that should change expectations around the title race. If anything, the scheduling row is more awkward for supporters and club planning than for the team itself.
There is still value in the complaint, though. Clubs are entitled to push back when a season launch starts drifting away from a normal opening-weekend feel, especially when they are the defending champions and at home. A Monday night opener is not ideal for fans, and Celtic have not tried to pretend otherwise.
What happens next
The first major date already in place after the opener is the first Old Firm derby, scheduled for Sunday 20 September with a noon start at Celtic Park against Rangers. That gives some shape to the early season calendar, even if the opening weekend still carries uncertainty over the exact slot.
So the argument here is fairly simple: the scheduling pressure around Glasgow looks real, and Celtic's frustration is understandable. What is still missing is final certainty over whether the Dundee game lands on Monday evening, which is why the fixture release matters more than usual for a title opener.
FAQ
Will Celtic start the new Scottish Premiership season against Dundee on a Monday night?
[Celtic](club:celtic) are due to open the 2026-27 Scottish Premiership season at home to [Dundee](club:dundee) on 3 August, but the Monday night timing is not fully settled in the reporting. Celtic have voiced frustration about starting on a Monday evening, while another report says they could be forced into that slot rather than confirming it outright.
Why could the Celtic Dundee opener be moved to Monday night?
The issue is congestion around Glasgow on the opening weekend. Commonwealth Games cycling events are scheduled at the Sir Chris Hoy Arena near Celtic Park, and there are concerts at Hampden on 1 and 2 August. Celtic said they made repeated representations to Police Scotland and the SPFL to avoid a Monday kick-off but were told there was "no choice".
Are Celtic unhappy with the SPFL fixture schedule for the opening weekend?
Yes. BBC reporting says [Celtic](club:celtic) are disappointed at the prospect of starting on a Monday evening. In a statement carried by BBC Sport, the club said they made "repeated representations" to Police Scotland and the SPFL to avoid that outcome, but were told there was "no choice" because of the wider scheduling pressure in Glasgow.
How strong are Celtic heading into the new Premiership season?
[Celtic](club:celtic) begin from a strong domestic position. They finished first in the Premiership, won their final five league matches, and collected 82 points last season. They also clinched a fifth straight title by beating Hearts in the final few minutes of the last game, so the scheduling irritation does not change the fact they start as champions.
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