The defending champions have been drawn against Scottish Cup runners-up Dunfermline Athletic, Cove Rangers, East Kilbride, and Dumbarton in Group C when the tournament kicks off on July 11 and 12.
Celtic, who lost the 2024 final to St Mirren, have been placed in a separate section alongside Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell, and Hibernian, who will enter at the last-16 stage.
📋 By The Numbers
- 8 — Teams advancing from group stage
- 3 — Best runners-up also progressing
- 4 — Conferences in the group draw
In Group H, Kilmarnock face Raith Rovers, Peterhead, Hamilton Academical, and Elgin City. Championship winners St Johnstone are grouped with Greenock Morton, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, East Fife, and Linlithgow Rose.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | Aberdeen, Queen's Park, Queen of the South, Kelty Hearts, Brora Rangers |
| Group B | Dundee United, Arbroath, Montrose, The Spartans, Stirling Albion |
| Group C | St Mirren, Dunfermline Athletic, Cove Rangers, East Kilbride, Dumbarton |
| Group D | Dundee, Airdrieonians, Ross County, Clyde, Annan Athletic |
| Group E | Livingston, Partick Thistle, Stenhousemuir, Forfar Athletic, Brechin City |
| Group F | St Johnstone, Greenock Morton, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, East Fife, Linlithgow Rose |
| Group G | Falkirk, Ayr United, Alloa Athletic, Stranraer, Edinburgh City |
| Group H | Kilmarnock, Raith Rovers, Peterhead, Hamilton Academical, Elgin City |
The group stage concludes on July 25 and 26, with the knockout rounds unfolding over four weekends from mid-August through early December.
Key Points
- ✅ St Mirren begin defense against Dunfermline Athletic, Cove Rangers, East Kilbride, Dumbarton
- ⚡ Celtic, Hearts, Rangers, Motherwell, Hibs enter at the last 16
- 💡 Eight group winners plus three best runners-up advance
Dundee United face two derbies in Group B against Arbroath and Montrose, joined by The Spartans and Stirling Albion. Championship side Falkirk take on local rivals Alloa Athletic, Ayr United, Stranraer, and Edinburgh City in Group G.
💡 Pro Tip
Watch the draw closely for late deals: Cove Rangers and Brora Rangers, both Highland League champions last season, could spring early upsets.
Brechin City, runners-up to Brora in the Highland League, face a tougher path in Group E alongside Championship sides Livingston, Partick Thistle, and Stenhousemuir, plus Forfar Athletic.
- 📊 St Mirren’s recent form gives them a psychological edge in Group C
- 🔍 Cove Rangers and Brora Rangers enter with momentum from Highland League titles
- ⚠️ Relegated sides like Ross County and Airdrieonians face tougher groups
The competition’s structure rewards consistency: teams must navigate congested fixtures over just two weeks before the knockout phase begins.
- Group stage — July 11/12 to 25/26
- Last 16 — August 15/16
- Quarter-finals — September 12/13
- Semi-finals — October 31/November 1
- Final — December 13