Premier Sports Cup group fixtures revealed as Falkirk head to capital for competitive campaign kick off.

Falkirk’s 2026/27 competitive campaign will get underway with a trip to the SPFL’s Club 42 last term, Scottish League Two’s Edinburgh City, on Saturday, July 11 with kick-off at 3pm.

The Bairns reached the quarter final of last season’s Premier Sports Cup but lost out 4-1 to runners-up Celtic away from home. They’ll hoping again to progress out of the group stage in the league cup. And John McGlynn’s team have been handed a favourable group G opponents with two fourth tier clubs, one League One outfit and one Championship team.

The trip to Meadowbank is a first for Falkirk since they drew 2-2 there back in January 2024 during the invincible League One winning campaign. That was a memorable day - with a second-half comeback keeping the Bairns’ unbeaten record intact. Two-nil down, Calvin Miller netted a double including a 97th-minute penalty.

Falkirk face Gary Naysmith’s Ayr United

It’s then a quick turnaround to the Tuesday night when Falkirk host Ayr United three days later with kick-off at 7.45pm. The Honest Men are the Bairns biggest opposition on paper, and they are new management with former Stenhousemuir boss Gary Naysmith now at the helm. Falkirk then have a week off with their off day the third matchday.

Returning on Tuesday, July 21, McGlynn’s side make the short trip across the water to take on Andy Graham’s Alloa Athletic at the Indodrill. That match again kicks-off at 7.45pm. The Bairns then round off their group fixtures on the Saturday with a home match against fourth tier Stranraer. Kick-off for that one 3pm.

In group E, Stenhousemuir’s new boss will have a home opener. The Warriors, who are yet to appoint a successor, take on League Two’s Forfar Athletic at home on Saturday, July 11 with kick-off at 3pm. One week later, they travel to Highland League runners-up Brechin City, again with kick-off at 3pm. It’s then three games in short space of time for the Championship newcomers with Partick Thistle away from home on Tuesday, July 21 (7.45pm kick-off) followed by Livingston visiting Ochilview Park three days later for a 3pm kick-off.

Linlithgow Rose handed tough fixture card

Lowland League winners Linlithgow Rose meanwhile will travel to Cappielow for their group opener. Gordon Herd’s side, who earned one of three ‘wild card’ invitations to the competition, face the Championship team on Saturday, July 11 at 3pm. The Lowland League East kicks-off a week earlier than the SPFL, so they face four games in quick succession.

On the Tuesday night, they host Premiership newcomers St Johnstone (7.45pm kick-off) before hosting League One winners Inverness Caley Thistle at Prestonfield on the Saturday at 3pm. After playing two full-time clubs, the Gallant round things off with a trip to Dick Campbell’s East Fife on Tuesday, July 21 at 7.45pm.

None of the three clubs are set to be shown live on Premier Sports. Each team will receive at least £30,000 in prize money. The eight group winners and three best runners-up will join European representatives Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian in the last 16 on the weekend of Saturday, August 15.

SPFL Chief Operating Officer Calum Beattie said: “With an unforgettable 2025/26 Scottish football season having just ended, we are pleased to be able to announce the fixtures and TV selections for the group stage of the 2026/27 Premier Sports Cup. We would like to thank Premier Sports for their continued backing of this tournament and look forward to the action kicking off in July.”