Checking your watch. Glancing at the calendar. It’s that ritual every Hoops fan knows by heart. You need to know when is the Celtic game because missing even a minute of the action at Parkhead feels like a minor tragedy. Life gets in the way, work runs late, and suddenly you’re scrambling to find out if it's a 3:00 PM Saturday traditional slot or one of those awkward Sunday lunchtime starts dictated by Sky Sports.
Right now, the schedule is a bit of a moving target.
Between the Scottish Premiership title race, the grind of the Scottish Cup, and those massive European nights, the calendar fills up fast. Celtic’s next outing is typically a weekend affair, but with the way broadcasting rights work in 2026, you can’t just assume it’s a Saturday. The SPFL loves a TV-friendly slot. That means you’re often looking at a 12:30 PM kickoff or maybe a late Sunday afternoon game if they’ve been traveling back from a grueling away day in the Champions League.
Tracking Down the Next Celtic Kickoff
Look, the easiest way to keep track is the official club site, but we all know that can be a bit clunky on a phone when you’re in a rush. Most fans rely on a mix of the SPFL app and social media. But here is the thing: the "provisional" dates are your enemy. Never trust a fixture list more than three weeks out without checking the "subject to TV selection" disclaimer.
Broadcasters like Sky Sports and Premier Sports usually announce their picks in blocks. If you’re asking when is the Celtic game for a match happening in two months, the date you see on Google right now might not be the date the whistle actually blows. It’s a pain. It messes with travel plans and pub bookings.
Honestly, the Saturday 3:00 PM kickoff is becoming a bit of a relic for the bigger clubs. Because Celtic is a massive draw for television audiences, they are frequently moved to the "premium" slots. This usually means:
- Saturday at 12:30 PM (Sky Sports)
- Sunday at 12:00 PM or 4:30 PM (Sky Sports)
- Midweek Wednesday at 7:45 PM (Standard for league games)
- Tuesday or Wednesday at 8:00 PM (UEFA Champions League)
The European Factor
Europe changes everything. When Celtic is involved in the Champions League or Europa League, the domestic league game following that match must be on a Sunday. This isn’t just for rest; it’s a logistical requirement. If you see a Celtic game listed for a Saturday but they have a trip to Madrid or Munich the preceding Wednesday, expect that fixture to shift.
Brendan Rodgers has often spoken about the "recovery cycle." Experts like sports scientist Dr. Gregory Dupont have highlighted how the 48-to-72-hour window is critical for muscle repair. This is why the SPFL provides that extra day of leeway. If you're wondering when is the Celtic game and it's a European week, start looking at those Sunday 12:00 PM slots.
Where to Watch if You Aren't at Paradise
Not everyone can get a ticket to Celtic Park. It’s a tough ask these days. If you aren't one of the lucky 60,000 inside the stadium, you're at the mercy of the broadcasters.
In the UK, Sky Sports holds the primary rights for the Premiership. They usually show around 48 to 60 games per season. However, Celtic TV is the lifeline for fans outside the UK and Ireland. If you're in the States, Australia, or anywhere else, the club's own subscription service is basically the only way to see every single pass, tackle, and goal live.
Wait. There's a catch for UK residents.
Because of the "3 PM Blackout" rule—a law dating back to the 1960s designed to protect stadium attendance—no football can be broadcast on TV in the UK between 2:45 PM and 5:15 PM on a Saturday. So, if the game is actually at 3:00 PM on a Saturday, you won't find it on Sky. You'll have to wait for the highlights on Sportscene or Celtic TV's delayed replay.
Modern Streaming Options
We live in a digital age, so naturally, there are other ways.
- Sky Go/NOW TV: The go-to for most domestic fans.
- Paramount+: In the USA, they often hold the rights to the SPFL and certain European ties.
- Stan Sport: The hub for Australian Hoops fans.
- Viaplay/Premier Sports: They often pick up the domestic cup games (Scottish Cup and League Cup).
It gets confusing when a game is on a channel you don't subscribe to. Always check the "Live Football on TV" guides specifically for the Scottish region.
Planning Your Matchday
Knowing when is the Celtic game is only half the battle. You’ve got to plan the day. If it’s an early kickoff, the Gallowgate is buzzing by 10:00 AM. If it’s a night game, the atmosphere under the lights is something else entirely.
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There is a specific energy to a midweek game at Parkhead. The "Disco Lights" show, the roar of You'll Never Walk Alone in the dark—it hits different. But for the away fans, these midweek slots are a nightmare. Getting back to the Highlands or down to the Borders after a 7:45 PM kickoff that finishes at 9:30 PM is a slog.
Don't forget the weather. This is Glasgow. A "3:00 PM kickoff" in December can feel like a midnight game in the Arctic.
Why the Schedule Changes Last Minute
It’s frustrating. You’ve booked the train. You’ve cleared it with the partner. Then, two weeks before, the game moves from Saturday to Sunday. Why?
Usually, it's one of three things:
- Police Scotland Requests: If there's another major event in the city (like a massive concert at the Hydro or a high-profile protest), the police might request a kickoff time change for safety reasons.
- TV Picks: Sky Sports has a specific window to choose which games they want to broadcast. They prioritize the "big" teams, and Celtic is always at the top of that list.
- Cup Replays or Progressions: If Celtic or their opponent goes deep into a cup competition, the league games have to be shoved elsewhere.
The Old Firm Factor
When it comes to the derby against Rangers, throw the normal rules out the window. These games almost never happen at 3:00 PM on a Saturday. They are almost exclusively Sunday lunchtimes, usually 12:00 PM or 12:30 PM. This is partly for TV global reach and partly to minimize the "pre-match hydration" in the local pubs. If you're asking when is the Celtic game and the opponent is Rangers, just clear your Sunday morning.
Essential Matchday Checklist
Before the whistle blows, make sure you've sorted these bits:
- Check the SPFL official Twitter (@spfl): They are usually the first to post official "Fixture Changes."
- Sync your calendar: There are digital calendars you can subscribe to that automatically update your phone when a Celtic game time changes.
- Verify the channel: Don't wait until 2:55 PM to realize the game is on Premier Sports and you only have Sky.
- Transport: Check ScotRail for any "engineering works." They love doing those on Sundays—the very day Celtic usually plays!
Understanding the rhythm of the season helps. The "Winter Break" usually happens in January, meaning no games for a couple of weeks. This is when the squad heads to warmer climates for training camps. If you're looking for a game in mid-January, you might find the calendar suspiciously empty.
Final Thoughts for the Faithful
Staying on top of the schedule is a full-time job. Between the league, the cups, and Europe, the Hoops are playing 50+ games a year. The "when" is just as important as the "where." Keep an eye on the broadcasters, watch out for the European hangover shifts to Sundays, and always have a backup streaming option ready.
To ensure you never miss a minute, the best move right now is to bookmark the Celtic FC fixtures page and cross-reference it with the Sky Sports "Live on TV" schedule once a month. This prevents those nasty surprises where you show up to the pub a day early—or worse, a day late.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download a Dynamic Calendar: Search for a "Celtic FC iCal" feed. This will automatically sync kickoff times to your iPhone or Android calendar, including any last-minute changes made by broadcasters.
- Check the 21-Day Rule: Every Monday, look exactly three weeks ahead. This is the typical window where TV companies finalize their "locked-in" times, giving you enough time to adjust work shifts or travel.
- Verify Regional Rights: if you are traveling abroad, use a tool like LiveSoccerTV to see which local network in that country (e.g., DAZN, BeIN Sports) holds the rights to the Scottish Premiership.