Football
Football is Scotland’s national sport and the Scottish Football Association (SFA), the governing body for Scottish football, is the second-oldest national football association in the world. Scotland is also a founding member of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which governs the Laws of the Game internationally.
Hampden Park is the home of Scottish football and hosts regular international matches, League Cup games and even rock concerts.
Professional football
Scotland’s top professional football teams compete in the Scottish Premier League (SPL). The SPL is incredibly popular and more people watch domestic football in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe.
Since the Scottish Premier League (SPL) was established in 1998-1999, 18 clubs have competed. Only two have won the title, however, Celtic and Glasgow Rangers. Fierce rivalry and competition exist between the two, otherwise known as The Old Firm. Both Glasgow Rangers and Celtic regularly play in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
There are four divisions in Scottish football; the Premier League, the First Division, Second Division and Third Division.
At the end of a football season, the teams at the top and the bottom of their league table will face either promotion to the League above them or relegation to the League beneath them. Before a team can be promoted to the Premier League, its stadium must pass the minimum capacity standards.
Tickets for matches and season tickets can be purchased directly from the club.
Playing football in Scotland
Football is so popular in Scotland that almost all schools, colleges and universities will have their own football teams.
Beneath the Scottish Premier Division there are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions, amateur leagues and junior leagues.
There are 27 amateur football leagues in Scotland and teams usually play other local teams within their league.
Depending on your employer, you may also find that your workplace has an office five-a-side team.
Five-a-side centres offer indoor and Astroturf pitches where teams can sign up to play regular games and even enter friendly tournaments. Entry prices are very reasonable and anyone can join.
More information on the Scottish Premier League (SPL)
More on the Scottish Football Association (SFA)
More on the Scottish Amateur Football Association (SAFA)
Find your local Scottish Amateur Football Association League
Find a Scottish Premier League team near you