Bigger prize fund for new cup format

This season’s Irn-bru Cup will feature a revised format and increased prize money, in addition to two new participants, the SPFL has announced ahead of next week’s first-round draw.

The new format sees a reduction in the number of rounds from seven to six, with the competition kicking off in mid-august and culminating in the final on Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 March, 2018.

While like-for-like prize fund comparisons with last season’s competition are not possible, as this year’s format involves two additional clubs but one round fewer, the overall amount available for prize money is up by nine per cent, from £308,000 to £335,200.

Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers will join the competition along with the Northern Irish and Welsh teams (Crusaders, Linfield, The New Saints and Gap Connah’s Quay) in the second round.

The draw for the first round takes place on 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.