THE date for the draw of next season's Premier Sports Cup group stages has been confirmed.
The early rounds of the League Cup take place during the summer, as part of the pre-season schedule for the majority of Scotland's teams.
However, unlike in the previous six seasons of this format, there will be no regionalisation at this stage.
Celtic are the holders of the trophy, having defeated Hibs 2-1 in December.
The Hoops will not take part in the groups of next season's tournament due to their European commitments. They will be joined by Rangers and Hearts, along with any two of Dundee United, Ross County and Motherwell - who will all enter in the last-16 round.
The draw for the groups will be made in just three weeks time on Wednesday, May 25.
The SPFL has today announced that the draw for the group stage of the 2022/23 Premier Sports Cup will be made on Wednesday May 25 at 1.00pm. Hit the link for full details.
— SPFL (@spfl) May 4, 2022
The 37SPFL clubs will be joined by Highland League champions Fraserburgh and Lowland League winners Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic along with Buckie Thistle - after the Lowland League landing the extra place last season.
The 40 clubs will be drawn into eight groups of five on a seeded basis with details to be released ahead of the draw.
As stated, regionalisation has been removed for the 22/23 Premier Sports Cup, after six years of the North/South split in the group stages.
The eight winners and three best runners-up will join the five European entrants in the last 16 stage at the end of August.
With the World Cup in Qatar kicking off in November, the semi-finals will be played in January with the final one month later on February 26.
The draw will be available to watch by Premier Sports.
