New Format Unveiled for Sky Sports Cup as Glasgow City Aim to Defend Title
The Sky Sports Cup will feature a revamped format for the 2026-27 season, with the draw for the new league stage completed as Glasgow City prepare to defend their crown. The competition, which has become a key fixture in the Scottish women’s football calendar, will kick off on July 26 with an expanded structure designed to increase competitive balance and provide more meaningful fixtures.
Under the new format, the remaining eight Scottish Women’s Premier League 2 clubs from last season will compete alongside the bottom four SWPL clubs, plus the two promoted teams from the SWF Championship. This 14-team league stage replaces the previous knockout-based opening rounds, offering guaranteed fixtures and more consistent competition.
How the New League Stage Works
Teams will play four matches in the opening round against four different opponents, based on seeded pots determined by last season’s finishing positions. The highest-ranked side, Motherwell, will kick off the campaign at home to Montrose in what promises to be an intriguing contest between two sides with aspirations of climbing the Scottish football pyramid.
Hamilton Accies, who were relegated from the top flight, begin their campaign against SWPL play-off winners Aberdeen. The fixture represents a fresh start for Accies, who will be eager to bounce back at the first attempt under the guidance of their new management team.
Elsewhere, Kilmarnock will begin away to Boroughmuir Thistle in an all-SWPL 2 clash, while the remaining fixtures will see teams from across the divisions compete in what promises to be a fiercely competitive opening round.
Defending Champions and Final Date
Glasgow City enter the competition as defending champions after a dominant campaign last season. The Glasgow giants have established themselves as a force in Scottish women’s football, and their title defence will be one of the standout storylines of the season. The final is scheduled for March 27 or 28, 2027, ensuring a dramatic conclusion to the campaign.
The revamped format has been welcomed by clubs across the divisions, who see it as an opportunity to play competitive matches against a wider range of opponents. The Sky Sports Cup has grown in stature since its inception, and the new structure aims to build on that momentum while ensuring every participating club gets meaningful game time.
For the promoted sides and SWPL 2 clubs, the competition represents a platform to test themselves against established top-flight opposition, making it a crucial development tool for Scottish women’s football as a whole.
