2024–25 Scottish League Cup group stage

Football tournament season
2024–25 Scottish League Cup (group stage)
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates13 July 2024 – 28 July 2024
Teams40
2025–26 →

The 2024–25 Scottish League Cup group stage will be played from 13 July to 28 July 2024.[1]

Format

The competition begins with eight groups of five teams; each team plays one match only against each other team in the group, either home or away, for a total of two home and two away matches.[2] The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Heart of Midlothian and Kilmarnock) and Conference League (St Mirren) receive a bye to the second round. The group stage consists of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2023–24, the 2023–24 Highland Football League champions (Buckie Thistle) and runners-up (Brechin City), and the 2023–24 Lowland Football League champions (East Kilbride).[2]

The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progress to the second round (last 16). At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants are seeded.

The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw is used. In addition, for each group stage match that finishes in a draw, a penalty shoot-out takes place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[3]

The draw for the group stage took place on 29 May 2024 and was broadcast live on the Premier Sports and SPFL YouTube channels.[4]

Teams

The teams are seeded according to their final league positions in 2023–24 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot.

Seeding

Teams in Bold qualified for the second round.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4 Pot 5

01. Dundee
02. Aberdeen
03. Hibernian
04. Motherwell
05. St Johnstone
06. Ross County
07. Livingston
08. Dundee United

09. Raith Rovers
10. Partick Thistle
11. Airdrieonians
12. Greenock Morton
13. Dunfermline Athletic
14. Ayr United
15. Queen's Park
16. Inverness Caledonian Thistle

17. Arbroath
18. Falkirk
19. Hamilton Academical
20. Alloa Athletic
21. Montrose
22. Cove Rangers
23. Kelty Hearts
24. Queen of the South

25. Annan Athletic
26. Stirling Albion
27. Edinburgh City
28. Stenhousemuir
29. Peterhead
30. The Spartans
31. Dumbarton
32. East Fife

33. Forfar Athletic
34. Elgin City
35. Bonnyrigg Rose
36. Clyde
37. Stranraer
38. East Kilbride
39. Buckie Thistle
40. Brechin City

Source:[2]

Group stage

All times are BST (UTC +1).

Group A

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ABE AIR QOS DUM EKB
1 Aberdeen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 23 Jul — 27 Jul —
2 Airdrieonians 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 27 Jul — 16 Jul
3 Queen of the South 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Jul — — 16 Jul —
4 Dumbarton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 20 Jul — — 13 Jul
5 East Kilbride 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 Jul — 23 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [5]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Dumbarton v East Kilbride
13 July 2024 Dumbarton v East Kilbride Dumbarton
15:00 Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Queen of the South v Aberdeen
13 July 2024 Queen of the South v Aberdeen Dumfries
17:15 Stadium: Palmerston Park
Airdrieonians v East Kilbride
16 July 2024 Airdrieonians v East Kilbride Airdrie
19:45 Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Queen of the South v Dumbarton
16 July 2024 Queen of the South v Dumbarton Dumfries
19:45 Stadium: Palmerston Park
Dumbarton v Airdrieonians
20 July 2024 Dumbarton v Airdrieonians Dumbarton
15:00 Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
East Kilbride v Aberdeen
20 July 2024 East Kilbride v Aberdeen East Kilbride
15:00 Stadium: K-Park Training Academy
Aberdeen v Airdrieonians
23 July 2024 Aberdeen v Airdrieonians Aberdeen
19:45 Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
East Kilbride v Queen of the South
23 July 2024 East Kilbride v Queen of the South East Kilbride
19:45 Stadium: K-Park Training Academy
Aberdeen v Dumbarton
27 July 2024 Aberdeen v Dumbarton Aberdeen
15:00 Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Airdrieonians v Queen of the South
27 July 2024 Airdrieonians v Queen of the South Airdrie
15:00 Stadium: Excelsior Stadium

Group B

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DUN AYR FAL STE BUC
1 Dundee United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 20 Jul — 16 Jul —
2 Ayr United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 16 Jul — 27 Jul
3 Falkirk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Jul — — 27 Jul —
4 Stenhousemuir 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 23 Jul — — 13 Jul
5 Buckie Thistle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 Jul — 20 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Falkirk v Dundee United
13 July 2024 Falkirk v Dundee United Falkirk
15:00 Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Stenhousemuir v Buckie Thistle
13 July 2024 Stenhousemuir v Buckie Thistle Stenhousemuir
15:00 Stadium: Ochilview Park
Ayr United v Falkirk
16 July 2024 Ayr United v Falkirk Ayr
19:45 Stadium: Somerset Park
Dundee United v Stenhousemuir
16 July 2024 Dundee United v Stenhousemuir Dundee
19:45 Stadium: Tannadice Park
Buckie Thistle v Falkirk
20 July 2024 Buckie Thistle v Falkirk Buckie
15:00 Stadium: Victoria Park
Dundee United v Ayr United
20 July 2024 Dundee United v Ayr United Dundee
17:15 Stadium: Tannadice Park
Stenhousemuir v Ayr United
23 July 2024 Stenhousemuir v Ayr United Stenhousemuir
19:45 Stadium: Ochilview Park
Buckie Thistle v Dundee United
23 July 2024 Buckie Thistle v Dundee United Buckie
20:00 Stadium: Victoria Park
Ayr United v Buckie Thistle
27 July 2024 Ayr United v Buckie Thistle Ayr
15:00 Stadium: Somerset Park
Falkirk v Stenhousemuir
27 July 2024 Falkirk v Stenhousemuir Falkirk
15:00 Stadium: Falkirk Stadium

Group C

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HIB QPA KEL PET ELG
1 Hibernian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 16 Jul — 27 Jul —
2 Queen's Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 27 Jul — 23 Jul
3 Kelty Hearts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 Jul — — 23 Jul —
4 Peterhead 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 13 Jul — — 20 Jul
5 Elgin City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Jul — 16 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [8]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Elgin City v Hibernian
13 July 2024 Elgin City v Hibernian Elgin
15:00 Stadium: Borough Briggs
Peterhead v Queen's Park
13 July 2024 Peterhead v Queen's Park Peterhead
15:00 Stadium: Balmoor Stadium
Elgin City v Kelty Hearts
16 July 2024 Elgin City v Kelty Hearts Elgin
19:45 Stadium: Borough Briggs
Hibernian v Queen's Park
16 July 2024 Hibernian v Queen's Park Edinburgh
19:45 Stadium: Easter Road
Kelty Hearts v Hibernian
20 July 2024 Kelty Hearts v Hibernian Kelty
15:00 Stadium: New Central Park
Peterhead v Elgin City
20 July 2024 Peterhead v Elgin City Peterhead
15:00 Stadium: Balmoor Stadium
Kelty Hearts v Peterhead
23 July 2024 Kelty Hearts v Peterhead Kelty
19:45 Stadium: New Central Park
Queen's Park v Elgin City
23 July 2024 Queen's Park v Elgin City Glasgow
19:45 Stadium: Lesser Hampden
Hibernian v Peterhead
27 July 2024 Hibernian v Peterhead Edinburgh
15:00 Stadium: Easter Road
Queen's Park v Kelty Hearts
27 July 2024 Queen's Park v Kelty Hearts Glasgow
15:00 Stadium: Lesser Hampden

Group D

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DND ICT ARB ANN BON
1 Dundee 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 27 Jul — 23 Jul —
2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 23 Jul — 20 Jul
3 Arbroath 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 Jul — — 20 Jul —
4 Annan Athletic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 13 Jul — — 16 Jul
5 Bonnyrigg Rose 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Jul — 27 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Annan Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
13 July 2024 Annan Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle Annan
15:00 Stadium: Galabank
Bonnyrigg Rose v Dundee
13 July 2024 Bonnyrigg Rose v Dundee Bonnyrigg
15:00 Stadium: New Dundas Park
Annan Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose
16 July 2024 Annan Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose Annan
19:45 Stadium: Galabank
Arbroath v Dundee
16 July 2024 Arbroath v Dundee Arbroath
19:45 Stadium: Gayfield Park
Arbroath v Annan Athletic
20 July 2024 Arbroath v Annan Athletic Arbroath
15:00 Stadium: Gayfield Park
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Bonnyrigg Rose
20 July 2024 Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Bonnyrigg Rose Inverness
15:00 Stadium: Caledonian Stadium
Dundee v Annan Athletic
23 July 2024 Dundee v Annan Athletic Dundee
19:45 Stadium: Dens Park
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Arbroath
23 July 2024 Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Arbroath Inverness
19:45 Stadium: Caledonian Stadium
Bonnyrigg Rose v Arbroath
27 July 2024 Bonnyrigg Rose v Arbroath Bonnyrigg
15:00 Stadium: New Dundas Park
Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
27 July 2024 Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle Dundee
15:00 Stadium: Dens Park

Group E

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification LIV DNF COV SPA FOR
1 Livingston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 20 Jul — 27 Jul —
2 Dunfermline Athletic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 27 Jul — 16 Jul
3 Cove Rangers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 Jul — — 16 Jul —
4 The Spartans 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 13 Jul — — 23 Jul
5 Forfar Athletic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Jul — 20 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Forfar Athletic v Livingston
13 July 2024 Forfar Athletic v Livingston Forfar
15:00 Stadium: Station Park
The Spartans v Dunfermline Athletic
13 July 2024 The Spartans v Dunfermline Athletic Edinburgh
15:00 Stadium: Ainslie Park
Cove Rangers v The Spartans
16 July 2024 Cove Rangers v The Spartans Aberdeen
19:45 Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Dunfermline Athletic v Forfar Athletic
16 July 2024 Dunfermline Athletic v Forfar Athletic Dunfermline
19:45 Stadium: East End Park
Forfar Athletic v Cove Rangers
20 July 2024 Forfar Athletic v Cove Rangers Forfar
15:00 Stadium: Station Park
Livingston v Dunfermline Athletic
20 July 2024 Livingston v Dunfermline Athletic Livingston
15:00 Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Cove Rangers v Livingston
23 July 2024 Cove Rangers v Livingston Aberdeen
19:45 Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
The Spartans v Forfar Athletic
23 July 2024 The Spartans v Forfar Athletic Edinburgh
19:45 Stadium: Ainslie Park
Dunfermline Athletic v Cove Rangers
27 July 2024 Dunfermline Athletic v Cove Rangers Dunfermline
15:00 Stadium: East End Park
Livingston v The Spartans
27 July 2024 Livingston v The Spartans Livingston
15:00 Stadium: Almondvale Stadium

Group F

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification STJ GMO ALL EFI BRE
1 St Johnstone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 20 Jul — 27 Jul —
2 Greenock Morton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 27 Jul — 16 Jul
3 Alloa Athletic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 Jul — — 16 Jul —
4 East Fife 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 13 Jul — — 23 Jul
5 Brechin City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Jul — 20 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [11]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Brechin City v St Johnstone
13 July 2024 Brechin City v St Johnstone Brechin
15:00 Stadium: Glebe Park
East Fife v Greenock Morton
13 July 2024 East Fife v Greenock Morton Methil
15:00 Stadium: Bayview Stadium
Alloa Athletic v East Fife
16 July 2024 Alloa Athletic v East Fife Alloa
19:45 Stadium: Recreation Park
Greenock Morton v Brechin City
16 July 2024 Greenock Morton v Brechin City Greenock
19:45 Stadium: Cappielow
Brechin City v Alloa Athletic
20 July 2024 Brechin City v Alloa Athletic Brechin
15:00 Stadium: Glebe Park
St Johnstone v Greenock Morton
20 July 2024 St Johnstone v Greenock Morton Perth
15:00 Stadium: McDiarmid Park
Alloa Athletic v St Johnstone
23 July 2024 Alloa Athletic v St Johnstone Alloa
19:45 Stadium: Recreation Park
East Fife v Brechin City
23 July 2024 East Fife v Brechin City Methil
19:45 Stadium: Bayview Stadium
Greenock Morton v Alloa Athletic
27 July 2024 Greenock Morton v Alloa Athletic Greenock
15:00 Stadium: Cappielow
St Johnstone v East Fife
27 July 2024 St Johnstone v East Fife Perth
15:00 Stadium: McDiarmid Park

Group G

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MOT PAR MON EDI CLY
1 Motherwell 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 28 Jul — 13 Jul —
2 Partick Thistle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 13 Jul — 23 Jul
3 Montrose 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 Jul — — 23 Jul —
4 Edinburgh City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 20 Jul — — 17 Jul
5 Clyde 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 Jul — 27 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [12]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Motherwell v Edinburgh City
13 July 2024 Motherwell v Edinburgh City Motherwell
15:00 Stadium: Fir Park
Partick Thistle v Montrose
13 July 2024 Partick Thistle v Montrose Glasgow
15:00 Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Montrose v Motherwell
16 July 2024 Montrose v Motherwell Montrose
19:45 Stadium: Links Park
Edinburgh City v Clyde
17 July 2024 Edinburgh City v Clyde Edinburgh
19:45 Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium
Clyde v Motherwell
20 July 2024 Clyde v Motherwell Hamilton
15:00 Stadium: New Douglas Park
Edinburgh City v Partick Thistle
20 July 2024 Edinburgh City v Partick Thistle Edinburgh
15:00 Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium
Montrose v Edinburgh City
23 July 2024 Montrose v Edinburgh City Montrose
19:45 Stadium: Links Park
Partick Thistle v Clyde
23 July 2024 Partick Thistle v Clyde Glasgow
19:45 Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Clyde v Montrose
27 July 2024 Clyde v Montrose Hamilton
15:00 Stadium: New Douglas Park
Motherwell v Partick Thistle
28 July 2024 Motherwell v Partick Thistle Motherwell
15:00 Stadium: Fir Park

Group H

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ROS RAI HAM STI STR
1 Ross County 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round — 20 Jul — 27 Jul —
2 Raith Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round — — 27 Jul — 16 Jul
3 Hamilton Academical 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 Jul — — 16 Jul —
4 Stirling Albion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 13 Jul — — 23 Jul
5 Stranraer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Jul — 20 Jul — —
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [13]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

Matches

Stirling Albion v Raith Rovers
13 July 2024 Stirling Albion v Raith Rovers Stirling
15:00 Stadium: Forthbank Stadium
Stranraer v Ross County
13 July 2024 Stranraer v Ross County Stranraer
15:00 Stadium: Stair Park
Hamilton Academical v Stirling Albion
16 July 2024 Hamilton Academical v Stirling Albion Hamilton
19:45 Stadium: New Douglas Park
Raith Rovers v Stranraer
16 July 2024 Raith Rovers v Stranraer Kirkcaldy
19:45 Stadium: Stark's Park
Ross County v Raith Rovers
20 July 2024 Ross County v Raith Rovers Dingwall
15:00 Stadium: Victoria Park
Stranraer v Hamilton Academical
20 July 2024 Stranraer v Hamilton Academical Stranraer
15:00 Stadium: Stair Park
Hamilton Academical v Ross County
23 July 2024 Hamilton Academical v Ross County Hamilton
19:45 Stadium: New Douglas Park
Stirling Albion v Stranraer
23 July 2024 Stirling Albion v Stranraer Stirling
19:45 Stadium: Forthbank Stadium
Raith Rovers v Hamilton Academical
27 July 2024 Raith Rovers v Hamilton Academical Kirkcaldy
15:00 Stadium: Stark's Park
Ross County v Stirling Albion
27 July 2024 Ross County v Stirling Albion Dingwall
15:00 Stadium: Victoria Park

Best runners-up

Pos Grp Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 A TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round
2 B TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 C TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 D TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 E TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 F TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 G TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 H TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: 13 July 2024. Source: [14]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Key dates for Season 2024/25". SPFL. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Premier Sports Cup seedings". SPFL. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  3. ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Premier Sports Cup group stage draw". SPFL. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
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