Calum Beattie, SPFL chief operating officer, said: “We are understandably very keen to support our clubs in qualifying for the league phase of UEFA competitions. There are huge benefits in having our clubs in the latter stages of European football. Not only does it help Scotland’s UEFA coefficient ranking and the reputation of our league, but there are clear commercial benefits for the competing clubs, as well as important solidarity payments for our non-participating clubs.
“It is possible we will have a number of clubs participating in the play-off round for UEFA competitions in season 2025/26 but due to the extremely congested nature of our fixture calendar, our options to support clubs are unfortunately very limited.
“This new policy has received extremely positive feedback from our clubs on the SPFL Competitions Working Group, which believe it will be beneficial in their aims of reaching the league phase of UEFA competitions, and we’re pleased to be introducing it for next season.”
Confirming European places for next season, the SPFL statement added: “In season 2025/26, William Hill Premiership winners will enter the Champions League in the Play-Off round, while Premiership runners-up will enter in qualifying round 2.
“The team in third place will enter at Europa League qualifying round 2, and the fourth placed team will enter the Conference League in qualifying round 2.
“The Scottish Cup winners – or the club which finishes third, if the Scottish Cup is won by the William Hill Premiership winners – will enter the Europa League play-off round.”
The league body have confirmed clubs competing in a play-off round of UEFA competitions from season 2025/26 will be allowed to postpone one specific league match.
Clubs competing in any of the Champions League play-off, Europa League play-off or Conference League play-off will be allowed to postpone their matchday three fixture next season.
The new policy means clubs have the opportunity to have a full week between the first and second leg of play-off matches in UEFA competitions as opposed to having a league match in between.
