SPFL revamp cup competition in new 'Champions League-style' format
The SPFL has announced a major revamp of the Challenge Cup, with the competition taking on a new format and new rules aimed at helping develop young talent.
The competition, which is open to clubs from below the Premiership, as well as 'B' teams from some top-flight sides, will now be known as the KDM Evolution Trophy after a multi-year sponsorship deal was agreed with the construction firm.
Traditionally played as a straight knock-out cup competition, the new format will see most clubs play in an initial 'League Phase' inspired by UEFA's Champions League and other continental competitions.
The first round league phase will comprise ten League 1 clubs, ten League 2 clubs, and ten Premiership B-teams.
Clubs participating in the league phase of the competition will be split into three pots by division and regionalised into North and South sections, reducing travel costs for clubs and supporters across six league phase matchdays.
Points gained by clubs across six league phase matchdays will feed into a single league table, with the top 22 clubs qualifying for the seeded knock-out Round of 32.
William Hill Championship clubs will enter the competition from the Round of 32 as seeded clubs, alongside clubs finishing in the top six of the league phase, with the remainder of the competition following a traditional knock-out format
The new look comes with an increased prize pot, with £1.25m to be shared amongst the clubs, which is an increase of 50% on this year's competition. The team that lifts the trophy will collect £150,000 as champions.
Tournament organisers also hope that the cup can help to aid the development of young talent, with players aged 15 and over now eligible to compete. The change comes as part of an initiative from the Scottish FA and SPFL to provide more opportunities for players in the key 'transition phase' of ages 16-21 as they look to progress from academy football to senior first team games.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: 'We've had long discussions with our member clubs and the Scottish FA about this new competition format and we've also introduced some key principles to reduce travel time and costs, particularly for William Hill League 1 and 2 clubs.
'We would lastly like to thank the SPFL Trust and the donors who support them, who have been fantastic supporters of this competition for the last four seasons.'
Ian Jones, chief executive of sponsors KDM Group, said: 'We're incredibly proud to support the launch of this exciting new football competition and to see the KDM Evolution Trophy come to life.
'The name reflects the evolution of our business, from a small shopfitting company to a leading international brand. It mirrors the journey of this tournament and the aspiring players it supports.
'Our investment in football spans all levels of the game, from grassroots to the professional stage. Through our KDM Group Soccer Centres, we provide primary-aged schoolgirls access to the game whilst having fun, helping to grow the game from the ground up. We've previously been the official partner of the Scottish Cup and are proud sponsors of the Scotland Women's National Team & Dunfermline Athletic FC.
'This new tournament is another step forward, providing a platform for talent to grow and evolve, just as we have.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
SPFL club forced to cancel friendly against Scottish Premiership side due to stadium repairs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO SPFL clubs have had to rejig their pre-season plans after a scheduled friendly between both clubs was cancelled this week. Morton were due to host St Mirren in a non-competitive clash on Tuesday, July 8, with both teams looking to step up their preparations for the Premier Sports Cup which gets underway just a few days later. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The roof at the famous 'cowshed' still neds repaired Credit: Kenny Ramsay The game was set to be held at Morton's home stadium Cappielow Park, but it's no longer allowed to go ahead due to repairs to the 'Cowshed' roof after it suffered damage from Storm Eowyn in January. Several corrugated iron panels on the roof had blown off as the West coast of Scotland was hit by gale force winds. Morton have still yet to fix the damage but the club tonight confirmed that repair work will begin next week. However, the friendly cannot be played while the construction takes place. A statement from the Scottish Championship club read: "The club are pleased to confirm that the long-awaited works to repair the Cowshed Roof begin on Monday. "It is expected that works will continue throughout most of July and be completed by the start of the William Hill Championship season when we welcome Dunfermline to Cappielow on 2nd August. "Following discussions with our contractor, the pre-season match scheduled against St Mirren on Tuesday 8th July has now been cancelled. "We confirm the Premier Sports Cup tie versus Stenhousemuir, due to be played at Cappielow on 15th July, will go ahead but without supporters in the Cowshed. "We will provide an update on that in due course. "We thank supporters in advance for their understanding on this matter, and look forward to having the Cowshed back in full working order for the 2025/26 William Hill Championship campaign." A statement from St Mirren said: 'Morton have today informed us that they will no longer be able to host the planned Communities Cup friendly match at Cappielow on Tuesday 8th July. 'With the match now cancelled, the club is looking at alternative options to aid our preparations for the Premier Sports Cup group stages and will update when possible.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Inter's Acerbi threatens PSG fan over Champions League taunting
MIAMI, June 20 (Reuters) - Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi lost his cool after a Club World Cup fan wearing a Paris St Germain shirt in Seattle taunted him about last month's Champions League final, with the Italian threatening to beat him up if the teasing continued. The fan brought up a humiliating moment from Inter's 5-0 defeat by the French champions in Munich, in which Acerbi was left sprawling after some dazzling footwork by Bradley Barcola. On a video that went viral on social media, the visibly annoyed Italian international sought the help of a translator during a meet-and-greet with fans. The translator told the fan in English on Thursday: "You must be serious with him." Seconds later, Acerbi stepped in to say in Italian: 'I'm serious. Don't make fun of me — I don't like it. ... I'm crazy, I'll beat the crap out of you.' Acerbi then quickly moved on, posing for photos with other fans. Inter were not immediately available for comment. Inter take on the Urawa Red Diamonds in Group E on Saturday.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Emi Martinez desperately tries to push through Man Utd transfer with Ruben Amorim a huge admirer of Aston Villa star
Scroll down to see how Martinez compares to Andre Onana PLAYING FOR KEEPS Emi Martinez desperately tries to push through Man Utd transfer with Ruben Amorim a huge admirer of Aston Villa star Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMILIANO MARTINEZ is desperately trying to push through a dream move to Manchester United. And Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim is weighing up his goalkeeping options and has not ruled out a new number one with Andre Onana emerging as a target for Monaco. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Emi Martinez is trying to push through a transfer to Man Utd, Sun Sport can exclusively reveal Credit: Getty 6 Ruben Amorim is a big admirer of Martinez as he targets 'captains and leaders' Credit: Alamy 6 Andre Onana has emerged as a transfer target for Monaco Credit: Alamy Amorim wants 'captains and leaders' in his squad and the Man Utd chief has been a long-term admirer of the Aston Villa stopper, 32, who has been named Fifa's best goalkeeper twice in the last three years. A source said: 'Emi is big pals with Argentina team-mate Lisandro Martinez and is keen to move. He has already knocked back a couple of big hitters in the hope of joining United. 'Amorim is a huge admirer of his. He tried to sign him for Sporting in 2020 but lost out to Villa. He wants to fill the squad with captains and leaders and Emi fits the bill perfectly.' Amorim has already landed Brazil and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha in a £62.5million deal after beginning to reshape his squad for the new Premier League season. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL KEEP A LOOK OUT Aston Villa drop major hint Emi Martinez is set for Man Utd transfer But now the Portuguese coach could land another South American in Argentina World Cup winner Martinez with question marks over Onana and understudy Altay Bayindir. Onana has been linked with an Old Trafford exit after a number of high-profile blunders since joining from Inter Milan for £47m in July 2023 and Monaco are exploring a deal for the 29-year-old. Bayindir also did not cover himself in glory when he conceded four in a loss at Newcastle after he was given the chance to replace error-prone Onana. Martinez signed a new five-year £150,000-a-week deal with Villa less than a year ago, but the Midlands club failed to qualify for the Champions League. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Any bid of around £40m would ease Villa's financial concerns to satisfy Uefa's squad cost ratio after Unai Emery's side finished sixth in the Prem and secured Europa League football. He sparked speculation over his future after he broke down in tears and took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa's final home game of the season. Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa's final home game Martinez has been previously linked with Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and clubs in Saudi Arabia. Reports in his homeland of Argentina claimed Man Utd were 'advancing in talks' to bring him to Manchester. 6 6 However, even if a deal is done, Amorim will be without him for the season opener at home to Arsenal on August 17 following a red card - ironically against Man Utd - in a 2-0 loss on the final day of the season last month. Villa have been looking for keepers themselves and have made contact with Lille over £40m-rated stopper Lucas Chevalier. Nice's Polish keeper Marcin Bulka is also on Villa's radar. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford 6 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
