News release
Wednesday, 21 June, 2017 (2pm)
SPFL ANNOUNCES AN UPDATED FORMAT AND MORE PRIZE MONEY FOR 2017/18 IRN-BRU CUP
The 2017/18 IRN-BRU Cup will feature an improved format and increased prize money, in addition to two new participants, the SPFL has announced ahead of the First Round draw next week (Tuesday, 27 June).
The revised format of the IRN-BRU Cup for the season ahead sees a reduction in the number of rounds from seven to six, with the competition kicking off in mid-August and leading up to the Final being played on Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 March, 2018.
While like-for-like prize money comparisons with the 2016/17 IRN-BRU Cup are not possible, as this year’s format involves two additional clubs but one round fewer than last season, the overall amount available for prize money is up by 9%, from £308,000 to £335,200.
In addition, clubs travelling overseas will each receive a £5,000 contribution to their travel costs per overseas game, which is a 25% increase on last season’s figure.
As recently announced, Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers will join the 2017/18 IRN-BRU Cup along with the Northern Irish and Welsh teams (Crusaders, Linfield, The New Saints and Gap Connah’s Quay) at the Second Round stage.
The 2017/18 IRN-BRU Cup First Round Draw takes place this coming Tuesday, 27 June at 1pm, streamed live on the SPFL Facebook page, with the 24 ties to be played on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 August.
SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said: “Following the success of the new format of the IRN-BRU Cup in its inaugural season, we have worked to further improve the competition for clubs and supporters.
“By increasing prize money, removing one round and introducing more new teams to the competition, we believe this year’s IRN-BRU Cup will be stronger, more competitive and even more exciting. We look forward to the First Round Draw next Tuesday and wish all clubs the very best of luck.”
More…/
IRN-BRU CUP - SEASON 2017/18 - 56 team format
(including 2 from Northern Ireland, 2 from Wales and 2 from the Republic of Ireland) FIRST ROUND Tuesday 15 or Wednesday 16 August 2017
(First Round draw will take place at 1pm on Tuesday 27 June 2017)
48 Clubs (24 ties)
 10 clubs from Ladbrokes League 2
 10 clubs from Ladbrokes League 1
 8 clubs from Ladbrokes Championship
 4 clubs from the Scottish Highland Football League
 4 clubs from the Scottish Lowland Football League
 12 Colt teams from Ladbrokes Premiership
Regionalised Draw (unseeded)
North Draw (12 ties) 6 North Colt Teams / 4 Scottish Highland League Clubs / 14 SPFL Clubs
South Draw (12 ties) 6 South Colt Teams / 4 Scottish Lowland League Clubs / 14 SPFL Clubs
NORTH
SOUTH
1
ALLOA ATHLETIC
25
AIRDRIEONIANS
2
ARBROATH
26
ALBION ROVERS
3
BRECHIN CITY
27
ANNAN ATHLETIC
4
COWDENBEATH
28
AYR UNITED
5
DUNDEE UNITED
29
BERWICK RANGERS
6
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC
30
CLYDE
7
EAST FIFE
31
DUMBARTON
8
ELGIN CITY
32
EDINBURGH CITY
9
FORFAR ATHLETIC
33
LIVINGSTON
10
MONTROSE
34
MORTON
11
PETERHEAD
35
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH
12
RAITH ROVERS
36
QUEEN’S PARK
13
STENHOUSEMUIR
37
ST. MIRREN
14
STIRLING ALBION
38
STRANRAER
15
ABERDEEN COLTS
39
CELTIC COLTS
16
DUNDEE COLTS
40
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL COLTS
17
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN COLTS
41
KILMARNOCK COLTS
18
HIBERNIAN COLTS
42
MOTHERWELL COLTS
19
ROSS COUNTY COLTS
43
PARTICK THISTLE COLTS
20
ST. JOHNSTONE COLTS
44
RANGERS COLTS
21
BRORA RANGERS
45
EAST KILBRIDE
22
BUCKIE THISTLE
46
EAST STIRLINGSHIRE
23
COVE RANGERS
47
SPARTANS
24
FORMARTINE UNITED
48
STIRLING UNIVERSITY
SECOND ROUND Saturday 2 or Sunday 3 September 2017
32 Clubs (16 ties)
 2 clubs from Ladbrokes Championship Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle
 2 clubs from Northern Ireland Football League – Crusaders and Linfield 2 clubs from 2 Welsh Premier League – Gap Connah’s Quay and The New Saints 2 clubs from 2 League of Ireland Premier Division – Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers
 24 winners from First Round
Draw (pre-draw to determine which country will be allocated Pot A, Pot B & Pot C)
 Pot A, Pot B or Pot C – 2 Northern Ireland Football League Clubs
Pot A, Pot B or Pot C – 2 Welsh Premier League Clubs Pot A, Pot B or Pot C – 2 League of Ireland Premier Division Clubs Pot D – 24 winners from First Round and 2 Ladbrokes Championship Clubs
 To avoid NIFL teams playing each other (one home, one away)
 One ball from Pot A, Pot B or Pot C v Pot D One ball from Pot D v Pot A, Pot B or Pot C
 To avoid WPL teams playing each other (one home, one away)
 One ball from Pot A, Pot B or Pot C v ball from Pot D One ball from Pot D v ball from Pot A, Pot B or Pot C
 To avoid LIPD teams playing each other (one home, one away)
 One ball from Pot A, Pot B or Pot C v Pot D One ball from Pot D v Pot A, Pot B or Pot C
 Remaining 20 SPFL Clubs in Pot D drawn into 10 remaining ties
THIRD ROUND Saturday 7 or Sunday 8 October 2017
16 winners from the Second Round (8 ties)
QUARTER-FINALS Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 November 2017
8 winners from the Third Round (4 ties)
SEMI-FINALS Saturday 17 or Sunday 18 February 2018
4 winners from the Quarter-Finals (2 ties)
FINAL Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 March 2018
2 winners from the Semi-Finals (1 tie)
Ends.
Issued on behalf of the SPFL by The BIG Partnership. For further information please contact:
Brian Welsh – 0141 333 9585 – 07976 456 765 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. release
Wednesday, 21 June, 2017 (2pm)