Hearts and Hibs fans learn when 2026/27 fixtures will be released as new season kick-off date unveiled
An announcement was made by the SPFL regarding a key date for fans to stick in the diary
The SPFL have announced when Premiership clubs including Hearts and Hibs, will find out their fixtures for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
Preparations are already underway from both Derek McInnes and David Gray for next season’s campaign, however both still have much to play for in the present. Hearts are currently on the hunt for their first league title in 66 years, while Hibs are making a charge for the European places.
As both clubs gear up for the split, first up is the Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road this Sunday. Hearts currently hold the bragging rights after Tomas Magnusson’s late winner against Hibs in February’s 1-0 win, however the last grudge match in Leith went in favour of the hosts, who prevailed 3-2.
SPFL 2026/27 fixture date announcement
In terms of next season, the SPFL has announced that fixtures for season 2026/27 will be published on Thursday, June 18 at 12pm (BST). This will cover the schedule for the Scottish Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two.
The SPFL announced in December that all four divisions next season will begin on the weekend of August 1/2, 2026. The Premiership campaign will finish on the weekend of May 15/16, 2026, while the Championship, League One and League Two seasons will conclude earlier to accommodate the playoffs, on April 30 and May 1.
Upon the announcement last year, SPFL Chief Operating Officer Calum Beattie claims he is hoping to keep the ‘feel-good factor’ surrounding the Scotland National Team in keeping with matters at club level. He said: “It’s a hugely exciting time for Scottish football, with so much to play for across all four divisions of the SPFL in the coming months and the feel-good factor of Scotland’s dramatic win over Denmark to secure a World Cup place.
“We are pleased to be able to confirm some of the key dates for season 2026/27, including the full schedule for the Premier Sports Cup, to allow clubs and supporters to plan ahead. In the meantime, we are very much looking forward to the second half of the domestic campaign and the return of the men’s national team to the biggest stage for the first time since 1998.”
McInnes and Gray comments ahead of Derby Day
McInnes took his Hearts side to warm-weather training camp in La Manga to allow his players to enjoy some of the Spanish sun and recover on their week off ahead of five mammoth fixtures. The Hearts boss claimed he took his side abroad to seek some calm before a grilling few weeks. He told Hearts TV: "I just think this week, instead of just training for training's sake, we just thought a change of scenery, a change of environment would allow the players to focus on themselves for a period, Next week we have a full working week back in Edinburgh ahead of the derby game. There is not going to be any real change to our preparation for that."
Meanwhile, his opposite number his hoping to bounce back from their recent 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen with a win over the Jambos, a fixture he claims is coming at a good time. After the Dons loss, he said: “Now we go into the split, and there’s no better fixture for the players and supporters to look forward to than a derby to try and get a reaction. I’ve just reminded the players of that. It’s going to be tough, it will take five big performances, but I believe in the group and I believe we’re good enough to do it (qualify for Europe).”