Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Joe Donnelly

Plastic pitches could be banned in the Scottish Premiership by 2026

Scottish Premiership clubs have brought forward a resolution that aims to ban plastic pitches in the top flight of Scottish football.

Decided today in an SPFL board meeting, and later announced in a press release issued by the SPFL, clubs will be asked to vote on a decision to phase out artificial pitches in the Scottish Premiership.

The resolution requires nine out of 12 votes to be passed. Should that happen, a two-year grace period will be activated whereby clubs can plan accordingly.

At present, this impacts Kilmarnock only in the top league (David Martindale's Livingston will take part in the Scottish Championship next season following relegation this year) – but should the resolution be passed, artificial pitches will not be permitted in the Premiership from season 2026/27 onwards.

The statement read: "Clubs in the cinch Premiership have today brought forward a resolution seeking to phase out the use of artificial pitches in the SPFL top flight.

"The SPFL will now issue the resolution to all cinch Premiership clubs, and the outcome of that vote will be announced in due course. The resolution requires nine votes in favour to be passed.

"The SPFL Board has confirmed at a meeting today that if the resolution is approved, it will grant a two-year period to allow clubs with an artificial pitch to plan accordingly, with artificial pitches not permitted in the top division from season 2026/27.

"This period of grace is in line with recommendations of the SPFL Competitions Working Group, which represents member clubs across the SPFL.

"Separately, the SPFL Board has approved plans for a Premiership-wide project to work with a leading pitch consultancy firm, which is regularly used by UEFA, to improve the standards of grass pitches in the cinch Premiership."

Dundee came under fire earlier this season when a waterlogged pitch caused a Scottish Premiership encounter against Rangers to be postponed on two occasions. 

The results of the resolution will be announced in due course.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.