What to watch out for when Scottish football returns!
As we enter the final stages of the World Cup, the new Scottish football season begins with the start of the 2026/27 Premier Sports Cup group stage this weekend.
With 16 matches taking place on Saturday, here are five things to watch for on the opening weekend.
New season, new managers
There has been no shortage of managerial changes over the summer, with several new bosses making their first appearances in the competition.
Gary Naismith’s first test as Ayr United manager comes as the Honest Men head to the west coast at Stranraer and his Stenhousemuir successor, Marvin Bartley, takes on Forfar Athletic at Ochilview.
John Rankin is back in charge of the Airdrieonians when the Diamonds take on their Premiership rivals in Dundee. Palmerston favorite Nicky Clarke hopes to make a winning start against Queen of the South as they welcome Kelty Hearts to Dumfries, while Stefan Laird’s Elgin City face a tough trip to Kirkcaldy to face Dougie Imrie’s Raith Rovers.
Live broadcast on Premier Sports
Premier Sports is the only place to watch the group stages of the Premier Sports Cup, with 30 live games taking place in July.
Premier Sports cameras will witness Stephen Whittaker’s managerial debut when his Stirling Albion side take on Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United on Saturday 11 July (kick-off 5.30pm).
And FOUR more opening weekend matches will be available to Premier Sports subscribers and will also be available via PPV (£9.99 for Matchday Pass) through the Premier Sports Player.
- Saturday 11 July: Dumbarton v St Mirren (live, 3pm kick-off)
- Saturday 11 July: Dundee v Airdrieonians (live, 3pm kick-off)
- Saturday 11 July: East Kilbride v Dunfermline Athletic (live, 3pm kick-off)
- Saturday 11 July: Edinburgh City v Falkirk (live, 3pm kick-off)
Another upset on the cards?
What a difference 12 months makes to Steven Pressley and Dundee. The Dees face a repeat of last year’s match against Airdrieonians, with the Diamonds beaten 1-0 last time out.
After positive results in Pressley’s debut season, can the hosts get off to the perfect start or can the Lanarkshire side repeat their 2025 heroics?
First battle on the sideline
East Kilbride turned heads in their first season as an SPFL club last season, winning the William Hill League Two title at the first try. The Magpies earned plaudits from fans and colleagues alike for their eye-catching attacking play, with manager Mick Kennedy picking up the division’s Manager of the Season award.
League One newcomers William Hill face a stern test on the opening weekend when they take on Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline Athletic at Bumblebee Stadium. Under Neil Lennon, the Pars defied the odds last season, defeating three William Hill Premier League sides (including bitter rivals Falkirk) en route to the final at Hampden before losing to eventual winners Celtic.
Saturday’s meeting pits two of the country’s most passionate bosses against each other, so expect a cracker.
Return of the Heroes
Caley Thistle fans will be delighted to see Aberdeen duo Alfie Bavidge and Alfie Stewart return for the 2026/27 season, having played a crucial role in the Highlanders’ League 1 success.
Can they pick up where they left off when Inverness host East Fife?
Saturday will see Craig Sibbald make an emotional return to Falkirk Junior Club. The midfielder made over 270 appearances in his first spell, progressing from academy prospect to talismanic figure before leaving in 2018. The first match of his second spell could come against Michael MacIndoe’s Edinburgh City, who retained their SPFL status in the play-offs.