Celtic told why there could be potential 'chaos' on the horizon after the SPFL fixtures were released

Celtic will start the way they ended the 2024/25 Premiership season.

James Forrest netted that historic goal against St Mirren to celebrate Celtic’s 2024/25 title win in style, and that’s how the new campaign will start.

Brendan Rodgers’ side were drawn at home to St Mirren, as the 2025/26 SPFL fixtures were released, and the first away meeting will be a re-run of the Scottish Cup final, but at Pittodrie.

That’s when newly-promoted Livingston visit Celtic Park, before the first Glasgow derby of the season is at Ibrox on August 31, and then September begins away at Kilmarnock.

Some of these games have already been booked in for Sky coverage, such as the St Mirren match and the derby game itself.

But there is a reason why a ‘restricted’ number of televised games have been released, as ‘chaos’ could be around the corner, according to BBC Sport.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Potential ‘chaos’ on the horizon after Celtic’s 2025/26 SPFL fixtures are released

Celtic have to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League campaign, as Scotland’s coefficient has taken a hit in recent years.

The BBC reports that ‘plenty of games will still be moved for television’, as Celtic and Aberdeen, regardless of which European competitions they are in, will be guaranteed group stage football.

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But the BBC did note how European football, with Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United on the big stage, could cause ‘chaos’.

So, whilst the Celtic fans are aware of who they will play, there could yet be more changes around the corner, especially if the team ends up playing on Thursday nights rather than Tuesday or Wednesday, which is something nobody wants.

The BBC wrote: ‘A restricted amount of television fixtures have been released so far. Basically the opening two weekends – Beyond that, it’s a disconcertingly straightforward calendar so far.

‘Plenty of games will still be moved for television, while European football has the potential to cause chaos. Celtic and Aberdeen are both guaranteed group stage football, with the latter almost certain to have a raft of games moved to a Sunday.

‘On top of that, you have the unknown fate for Dundee United, Hibernian and Rangers on their continental adventures.’

What Celtic fans might have missed about the SPFL 2025/26 fixture release

Over the decades, one thing that has grown, and for some, got out of hand, is the money in the game because it has taken over.

More games are broadcast than ever before, and whilst the Scottish teams don’t get the treatment of the English sides, there is still money in the pot.

It means broadcasters have a say on who plays when, as the European fixtures, especially those playing on a Thursday, result in those sides playing on a Sunday.

It means the ‘death of the 3 pm’ kick-off on a Saturday, as the BBC alluded to. And, for those who missed it, only one Premiership match will take place at that time for the new season – Kilmarnock vs Livingston.

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