The 2026–27 Scottish League Cup group stage was played from 11 July to 26 July 2026.
Format The competition began with eight groups of five teams; each team playing one match against each other team in their group, either home or away, for a total of two home and two away matches. The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Heart of Midlothian), Europa League (Rangers) and Conference League (Motherwell and Hibernian) receive a bye to the second round. The group stage consisted of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2025–26, the 2025–26 Highland Football League champions (Brora Rangers) and runners-up (Brechin City), and the 2025–26 Lowland Football League champions (Linlithgow Rose).
The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progressed 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 finish in a draw, a penalty shoot-out took place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.
The draw for the group stage took place on 27 May 2026 and was broadcast live on the Premier Sports Player and SPFL YouTube channel.
Teams The teams were seeded according to their final league positions in 2025–26 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot.
Seeding
Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4Pot 501. Falkirk 02. Dundee United 03. Dundee 04. Aberdeen 05. Kilmarnock 06. St Mirren 07. Livingston 08. St Johnstone09. Partick Thistle 10. Arbroath 11. Dunfermline Athletic 12. Raith Rovers 13. Queen's Park 14. Ayr United 15. Greenock Morton 16. Airdrieonians17. Ross County 18. Inverness Caledonian Thistle 19. Stenhousemuir 20. Queen of the South 21. Alloa Athletic 22. Peterhead 23. Montrose 24. Cove Rangers25. East Fife 26. Hamilton Academical 27. Kelty Hearts 28. East Kilbride 29. The Spartans 30. Clyde 31. Forfar Athletic 32. Stranraer33. Elgin City 34. Annan Athletic 35. Stirling Albion 36. Dumbarton 37. Edinburgh City 38. Linlithgow Rose 39. Brora Rangers 40. Brechin City
Source:
Group stage The draw was completed on 27 May 2026. All times are BST (UTC +1).
Group A
Matches
Group B
Matches
Group C
Matches
Group D
Matches
Group E
Matches
Group F
Matches
Group G
Matches
Notes
Group H
Matches
Best runners-up
References