Celtic have confirmed that their League Cup campaign will kick off under the lights on Friday, August 15th at 7:45pm, with Falkirk the visitors to Celtic Park.
It’s a rare Friday night fixture at Parkhead, and one that will mark the beginning of the Hoops’ trophy defence in the competition they dramatically won last December. Brendan Rodgers’ side lifted the League Cup trophy after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Rangers, eventually prevailing on penalties in a Hampden classic.
The match against Falkirk comes just two weeks from now, giving fans a date to circle as the domestic cup action returns in the new season.
Falkirk, newly promoted and entering the top flight for the first time in over a decade, will arrive in Glasgow as major underdogs — but they’ll be keen to make a statement. Celtic, meanwhile, will look to avoid any early slip-ups and continue their strong record in the tournament.
Rodgers and his squad will be determined to retain the League Cup, and it all starts with a winning performance against the Bairns.
The fixture timing will catch some supporters off guard, with Friday night games at Celtic Park extremely uncommon, particularly in cup competitions. The scheduling decision may be driven by broadcast considerations or policing logistics, though no official reason has been provided.
Regardless, the road to Hampden begins here. Supporters will no doubt remember the drama of last year’s final, and they’ll be hoping the 2025 edition starts with a comfortable result.
