The Scottish Premiership is in the middle of considering a plan to move to a 10-club model. Preliminary indications are that this attempt is destined to fail for lack of support from the member clubs directly affected. That original proposal is from the SPFL’s Competitions Working Group (CWG). This latest proposal would reduce the number of clubs in the top division from 12 to 10. If we pass this amendment, the maximum number of fixtures will be reduced from 38 to 36. It will eliminate the long-standing top-six split.
As talks continue, several other options have floated to the surface. Perhaps the most promising of these is a 14-team model that would largely preserve the regularity of local derbies across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. The CWG is currently and deeply focused on ways that these proposals would serve to minimize and/or address fixture congestion. They are examining the impact on clubs that compete in UEFA competitions. It is the CWG’s hope that any agreed changes would be able to be introduced as early as the 2026/27 season.
Current Proposal Under Scrutiny
Other stakeholders across Scottish football have united to strongly condemn the proposed move to a 10-club structure. Concerns abound that lowering the number of top-flight clubs would hurt competition and fan experience at the highest level. Adam Webb expressed strong opposition to the idea, stating,
“That would be a huge mistake [cutting the top flight to 10 teams].” – Adam Webb
Webb’s concerns echo a broader sentiment among those who fear that such a dramatic reduction could undermine the league’s integrity and its appeal to fans. There is a growing belief that maintaining a larger league could foster more competitive matches and enhance the overall quality of football in Scotland.
These are just a few examples of what the CWG has been considering. One idea would be to expand the model to 14 teams, boosting the overall schedule and fostering a healthier competitive landscape for franchises at the top and bottom of the league’s standings. The model creates complexities around scheduling fixtures, especially about match distribution after the split.
Alternative Models and Future Considerations
The CWG is seemingly still in deliberation about the merits of the 10-club proposal. In addition, they are mulling sticking with the 12-club format, but potentially expanding to up to 14 or 16 teams. Neil McCann, a popular pundit and former player and manager in Scottish football, is a proponent of increasing the size of the league, arguing that
“We should be going to a 14-team league very soon, and then five years later – as long as the quality in the Championship is sufficient – projecting to go to a 16-team league.” – Neil McCann
McCann imagines a deeper league, with teams from a competitive Championship. He thinks such a move would greatly improve the level of play as these clubs are more than prepared for top-flight competition. To that point, he made the case for keeping quality paramount as the league continues to grow and change.
As well as this, the CWG is still discussing alternative models and considering the impact on Premiership and Championship clubs. Any significant changes may require robust bipartisan support to move. Support from 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs is crucial, as well as three-quarters support from clubs in each of the two leagues.
The Path Forward
While these conversations continue, it seems the only way to change the future of the league structure is through club leadership agreement. The CWG is intended to find a solution to fixture congestion problems while providing room for teams competing in UEFA events.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is in favour of league size expansion, arguing that –
“I’ve always liked the idea of a wee bit bigger league. How that’s configured is everybody’s guess, but I think we’ve got teams that would enhance the top league.” – Derek McInnes
The discussion about how to best structure Scottish football going forward will no doubt rage on in the months ahead. As the stakeholders attempt to address the competitive integrity, fan interest, and logistical issues, there are many options on the table for league realignment.
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