Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ross County and Highland League clubs could all feature in a new format of existing Scottish tournament - Clubs also learn of new loan system to be introduced in Scotland next season
The Scottish FA and SPFL have announced a new Challenge Cup format and new cooperation system which it says will enhance youth player development in Scotland to be introduced next season.
A new Challenge Cup format for season 2025/26 has been confirmed after a recommendation from the SPFL Competitions Working Group and approved by the SPFL Board in a further move to support the progression of the best young players in the country.
The new set-up will include William Hill Premiership B teams in a league phase format. It is said it will provide more opportunities for youth players aged under 21, as they move from the academy environment to senior football.
Further details about the new Challenge Cup format will be released in due course.
It has not been confirmed if the new Challenge Cup format will continue to include Highland League and Lowland League teams. This season five Highland League teams Buckie Thistle, Brechin City, Fraserburgh, Banks o’Dee and Formartine United played in the tournament, also known as the Trust Trophy. Six Lowland League teams, East Kilbride, Bo’ness United, Albion Rovers, Cowdenbeath, Berwick Rangers and East Stirlingshire.
Eleven Premiership teams fielded B teams in the Trust Trophy this season, but Ross County opted not to take part in the competition. However, they will be invited to enter a B team if they remain a Premiership team next season.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle reached the fourth round of the Trust Trophy, defeating Stirling Albion in the third round 3-0 before going out on penalties against Livingston in the fourth round after the team were locked at 2-2 after normal time.
In plans that have been revealed in a statement by both organisations, it has also been confirmed a new Cooperation System will provide greater flexibility to the existing domestic loan quotas by enabling players in the key ‘transition phase’ of 16-21, who are eligible to represent the Scotland national teams, to join a lower-league club but be able to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time.
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive, said: “Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in enhancing first-team opportunities for the most talented young players in Scotland.
"The publication of the Transition Report - written by our Chief Football Officer, Andy Gould, and Head of Men’s Elite Strategy, Chris Docherty - brought home not only the alarming trend of young players getting less and less game time but it also included a series of practical solutions that have been proven to have worked in leagues across the world.
"We are pleased that clubs have bought in to the principles of the report and that the first two innovations have been approved in time for next season.
"We look forward to seeing young Scottish players given a platform to fulfil their undoubted potential with greater opportunity."
Neil Doncaster, Group Chief Executive of the SPFL, said: "There are few things more exciting for football fans than a young player breaking through the system and making a successful impact on the first team, whether that’s Lennon Miller at Motherwell or David Watson at Kilmarnock, who first made his debut aged 16 in the Challenge Cup.
"We believe that this new Cooperation System and new Challenge Cup format will help encourage more players to come through, which can only be good for the league and the men’s national team.
"Our new Challenge Cup format will provide more opportunities for young Scottish players to progress than any previous competition set-up. We look forward to sharing further details on the new format in due course.”
