NafisaAs excitement continues to build ahead of the new Scottish Premiership campaign, supporters across the country are already beginning to circle key dates on the calendar.
The release of a new fixture list always brings a fresh wave of anticipation, optimism and debate. For some clubs, attention quickly turns towards opening-day opponents, while others immediately search for the matches that could define their season.
In Glasgow, however, there is one fixture that always captures more attention than any other.
Regardless of league position, form or momentum, meetings between Rangers and Celtic carry enormous significance. Players, managers and supporters alike often find themselves counting down the weeks until the latest chapter of one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
With Derek McInnes preparing for his first campaign in charge at Ibrox and Celtic aiming to defend their crown once again, anticipation surrounding the next Old Firm encounter was always going to be intense.
Now, supporters finally know when the first showdown will take place.
The date for the opening derby clash between Rangers and Celtic next season has officially been confirmed.
The SPFL has published the fixture schedule for the 33 regular-season matches that will be played before the league splits into its post-season format.
Unsurprisingly, many supporters immediately looked for the first meeting between the Glasgow giants.
It has now been confirmed that the opening Old Firm fixture of the season will take place on September 20 at Celtic Park.
The match will be staged in the east end of Glasgow, with Celtic holding home advantage for the highly anticipated encounter.
Kick-off has been scheduled for 12pm.
The fixture is expected to provide an early indication of where both clubs stand in what promises to be another fiercely contested title race.
For Rangers, it will also represent one of the first major tests of the Derek McInnes era.
Rangers’ opening seven Premiership fixtures for 2026/27
July 31: Dundee United (A)
August 09: Hibs (H)
August 22: St Mirren (H)
August 29: Aberdeen (A)
September 02: Falkirk (A)
September 05: Motherwell (H)
September 20: Celtic (A)
Before travelling to Celtic Park, Rangers will face a challenging opening sequence featuring away trips to Dundee United, Aberdeen and Falkirk, alongside home meetings with Hibernian, St Mirren and Motherwell.
Those fixtures could prove crucial in building momentum ahead of the first Old Firm battle of the campaign.
With a new manager in the dugout, fresh faces expected through the transfer window and expectations rising among supporters, Rangers will be hoping to arrive at Celtic Park in strong form when Scottish football’s biggest fixture finally comes around.
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