Scottish Cup Final to be moved to a Sunday

The SFA are set to announce they are moving the Scottish Cup Final to a Sunday next season.

One of the great traditions in the Scottish game has been forced to make way for the Champions League.

UEFA have decided that, from next season, no national cup competitions can be played on the same day as their showpiece.

That means the Scottish Cup Final will be played on May 26, 24 hours after the Champions League Final, which is being played at Wembley for the seventh time.

The SFA considered switching to the Saturday before or after the Champions League Final, but logistically it proved impossible.

A Scottish Cup Final played on May 18 would have put the squeeze on the SPL season and a match on June 1 would have left Scotland boss Craig Levein only six days to prepare for the crunch World Cup qualifer in Croatia.

The SFA will have a final round of discussions with the SPL within the next 48 hours before confirming the switch, but Hampden chiefs are looking on the bright side.

A move to May 26 is believed to please sponsors William Hill, broadcasters and also football bosses as there are no other major games in the UK that day.

It is hoped the move will increase still further the profile of the tournament, which will be played
this season on Saturday, May 19.

That is the same day as the Champions League Final in Munich, but it kicks off in the evening. The Scottish Cup will kick-off at 3pm and there are no plans to change that time in future.