Celtic have expressed disappointment after learning that their Scottish Premiership title defence will begin on a Monday night rather than over the opening weekend of the season.
The champions will host Dundee at Celtic Park on 3 August at 7:30 pm BST. The club said it made repeated efforts to secure a weekend fixture but was informed that scheduling constraints left no alternative.
Games and Concerts Force Fixture Change
The opening-weekend scheduling issue stems from a combination of major events taking place in Glasgow.
Cycling competitions for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held at the Sir Chris Hoy Arena, located next to Celtic Park, on 1 and 2 August. At the same time, music star Calvin Harris is scheduled to perform two large-scale concerts at Hampden Park on those dates.
Celtic argued that a weekend kick-off should still have been arranged for the benefit of both clubs and their supporters.
Champions Begin Quest for Sixth Consecutive Title
The 2026-27 campaign will see Celtic attempt to win a sixth straight Scottish Premiership title after dramatically securing last season’s championship with a final-day victory over Hearts.
The new season begins on Friday, 31 July, when Rangers travel to Dundee United. Hearts, last season’s runners-up, will open their campaign away to Aberdeen, while newly promoted St Johnstone return to the top flight against Kilmarnock.
Key Dates in the New Season
The first Old Firm meeting between Celtic and Rangers is scheduled for 20 September at Celtic Park.
Supporters can also look forward to the Dundee derby at Dens Park and the Edinburgh derby between Hibernian and Hearts in the opening months of the season.
As in recent years, there will be no winter break, with the league campaign concluding in mid-May after the post-split fixtures.
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