Return to ten-team Premiership under consideration in SPFL talks

League reconstruction is under consideration within the SPFL with a return to a ten-team Premiership being discussed.

A working group will discuss a shake-up of the current league structure, with a plan to reduce the size of the top flight being considered.

The talks come after some member clubs raised the possibility of league reconstruction. The SPFL is concerned with the fixture schedule and the added pressure on the club calendar created by the expansion of European club competition.

As a result, the league body’s Competitions Working Group will look at a number of different formats, with a top division of ten, 12, 14 or 16 teams all up for consideration.

However, it’s understood that a ten-team Premiership is the format gaining most traction. Broadcast interest, including the wish for four Old Firm derbies a season, is a factor in any planning.

The group is understood to be meeting this month to consider what is possible, but their discussions would only be the first stage in any proposed change, and reconstruction would have implications beyond the SPFL.

The Scottish FA’s own Pyramid Working Group, which looks at structure in and beyond the professional leagues to allow access and progress up through the divisions, met on Wednesday and is aware of the discussions. They would also need to be advised and would have issues to discuss from any proposal but the matter is currently within the SPFL’s own group.

League reconstruction was last discussed during the Covid era, though many who have called for change to the format are backers of an expanded top flight and not a return to the ten-team division that was in place before the split was introduced in the 2000/01 season.

Any proposals to change could be met with some resistance and there is a high bar to clear for the SPFL to change the structure.

A revamp would need backing from 11 out of 12 top flight clubs, 75% of the combined Premiership and Championship sides, and 75% of all 42 SPFL clubs overall.

Plans would be unlikely to be introduced until the 2026/27 season at the earliest, and a shift to a ten-team Premiership would mean that three teams would face automatic relegation in the one season to reduce the size of the division.