GAFFERS: Gary Naysmith and Neil McCann looking ahead to the 2026/27 season (Images: Kilmarnock and Ayr United)
Kilmarnock and Ayr United have discovered their schedules ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 season following the SPFL’s fixture release yesterday afternoon.
Both sides have now returned for pre-season training before competitive action begins in the Premier Sports Cup.
Neil McCann’s Kilmarnock will hope to improve on last season’s 10th place finish in the top flight with an opening day tie away to newly promoted St Johnstone on Sunday 2 August before hosting Celtic the following week (9 August).
The opening two fixtures for Killie will be shown live on Sky Sports kicking off at 2pm at McDiarmid Park and 1.30pm at home to Martin O’Neill’s Celtic.
HOME: Kilmarnock will host champions Celtic live on Sky Sports on 9 August (Image: Kilmarnock Football Club)
Ayr United will kick off their eighth consecutive season in the Championship at home to Arbroath (1 August) as former Scotland international Gary Naysmith takes the reigns in Ayrshire following his move from Stenhousemuir.
The Honest Men will follow up their opening game with a double-header in Fife against Dunfermline Athletic (8 August) and Raith Rovers (22 August), with the second round of the Premier Sports Cup coming in-between.
Naysmith has already got recruitment underway at Somerset Park with the additions of Reece Lyon from Queen of the South, former Auchinleck Talbot star Ross Taylor, and goalkeeper Harry Stone on-loan from Hearts.
BACK AT IT: Ayr United return for pre-season training under new boss Gary Naysmith (Image: Ayr United Football Club)
Killie boss McCann has only one signing in this summer window so far with Welshman Ieuan Owen making the move to Ayrshire from Barry Town as David Watson and Lewis Mayo departed for Bolton Wanderers and Aberdeen respectively.
The teams return to competitive action in the Premier Sports Cup group stages which commences in July.
Ayr United head down the A77 to face Stranraer at Stair Park on Saturday 11 July, as rivals Killie host Raith Rovers at Rugby Park on Tuesday 14 August.
Employees across Ayrshire’s small business workforce are being offered free NHS wellbeing webinars this July, aimed at helping staff manage stress, pain, and workplace challenges. Delivered by NHS SALUS through the Working for a Healthy Economy Programme, the online “Lunch & Learn” sessions are fully funded by the Ayrshire Growth Deal. Each webinar runs from 1:00pm to 1:30pm, with sessions on practical stress management on Tuesday 7 July 2026, managing pain and MSK issues at work on Wednesday 8 July, […]
A 45-year-old man has been charged in connection with the theft of a defibrillator and first aid kit from Ayr United’s academy. The theft prompted concern due to the importance of the life-saving equipment, which is designed to be available during emergencies. Police launched inquiries after the items were reported […]
Pubs and bars across South Ayrshire have been warned they must have the correct licensing extensions if they plan to show Scotland’s late-night World Cup matches. South Ayrshire Licensing Board heard that Scotland’s opening tournament fixture passed without any reported licensing issues after a number of premises were granted extended […]
today19/06/20266
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