Celtic and Rangers have agreed, with the SPFL, to bar all away supporters from their meetings in Scottish league and League Cup competitions for the remainder of the 2026/27 season.

The move follows an independent Scottish FA review into the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on March 8, which ended in a goalless draw before Celtic won a penalty shootout, and was then overshadowed by a pitch invasion, fireworks and clashes between rival fans as players left the field.

Under previous arrangements, each club had offered visiting supporters a 5% ticket allocation for Old Firm fixtures. Rangers later suggested a reduced allocation for the September 13 League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, but Celtic rejected that and asked the SPFL to decide.

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After further talks involving both clubs, the league and Police Scotland, all parties settled on a temporary ban on away fans while they digest the review’s findings and plan future fixtures more thoroughly.

The SPFL said safety and security remain the priority and that the arrangement could be revisited if circumstances change materially during the season.

The Old Firm, first played in 1888, is one of football’s oldest and most intense rivalries, historically shaped by political and religious divisions.

Published on Sep 04, 2026