Celtic begin title defence at home to Dundee

Celtic have voiced their disappointment after it was announced they will start their Scottish Premiership title defence on a Monday evening, due to a combination of the Commonwealth Games and two Calvin Harris concerts.

The Scottish champions say they made “repeated representations” to the SPFL and Police Scotland to ensure a weekend fixture but were told there was “no choice” but to have their opener against Dundee on 3 August (19:30 BST).

There will be Glasgow 2026 cycling events at the Sir Chris Hoy Arena – next to Celtic Park – over the weekend of 1 and 2 August, while Harris will stage two large concerts at Hampden on the same days.

The 2026-27 term begins on Friday 31 July, with Dundee United hosting Rangers.

Hearts – last term’s runners-up – visit Aberdeen on the Saturday, with Falkirk and St Mirren also meeting that day.

• Scottish Premiership fixtures – find out your club’s schedule

There are two games on Sunday, as newly-promoted St Johnstone mark their return against Kilmarnock in Perth before Hibernian entertain Motherwell.

The first Old Firm derby will be on Sunday 20 September at Celtic Park (12:00).

There will be a Dundee derby at Dens Park during the third round of fixtures, while Edinburgh rivals Hibs and Hearts will go head-to-head at Easter Road on Wednesday 2 September.

New Rangers manager Derek McInnes will return to Tynecastle on Wednesday 28 October after his departure from Hearts.

Once again, there is no room in the schedule for a winter break.

Fixture round 33 arrives on 10 April, with the five rounds of post-split games ending on the weekend of 15/16 May.

Last season was one of the most dramatic in recent memory as Celtic clinched a fifth straight title by beating Hearts in the final few minutes of the last game.