No away supporters will be inside Celtic's stadium for Celtic vs Rangers this afternoon, and the SPFL has extended the restriction across every Celtic-Rangers league meeting in the Scottish Premiership and League Cup for the rest of the 2026/27 season. The league body said that, after further talks involving both clubs, there will be no away supporters in SPFL meetings between Rangers and Celtic for the remainder of the campaign.

The move follows an independent review of the Scottish Cup quarter-final between the sides at Ibrox, where crushing and life-threatening violence were narrowly avoided. That is the backdrop for a decision that turns a single-match problem into a season-long ticketing rule.

The SPFL's temporary arrangement

The SPFL said the arrangement is temporary and was designed to give Celtic, Rangers, Police Scotland and other stakeholders time to consider the review's findings, take the necessary actions and plan future fixtures properly. It also said the position will remain subject to review if circumstances materially change during the season.

The league had previously agreed an away allocation of 5 per cent for Premiership and League Cup matches last year, so this is a clear change in how the derby will be handled in domestic competition. Celtic and Rangers fans are already barred from any Old Firm matches in those SPFL competitions this season, including this afternoon's game at Parkhead.

Rangers' 2026 home derby against Celtic was already a serious flashpoint after the Scottish League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, where an independent review concluded the violence came close to becoming life-threatening. The league's decision is aimed at avoiding repeated ticketing disputes around individual fixtures, and on that point the SPFL has probably chosen the safer route.

What it means for the derby calendar

The practical effect is simple enough. Away fans will not be part of any Celtic-Rangers Premiership or League Cup meeting until the end of 2026/27 unless the SPFL reviews the position and changes course.

That leaves today's Celtic vs Rangers fixture as part of a wider stretch without travelling support in the rivalry, and it keeps the decision tied to domestic football rather than every competition the clubs play in. The derby will still be played, but the away end will stay empty for now.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →