Full Name: Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League Founded: 1890 (1998) Tier: 1 Number of Teams: 12 Previous Names: Scottish Football League (1890-93, 1915-21), Scottish Football League First Division (1893-1915, 1922-39, 57-75), A Division (1947-56), Scottish Football League Premier Division (1975-98)
Description:
The Scottish Premier League is the top tier league in the Scottish football system. The full name includes the title sponsor, Clydesdale Bank. In 1998 The 10 clubs in the Premier Division of the Scottish Football League (itself formed in 1890) broke away to form the Scottish Premier League. Several years later the league was expanded to 12 clubs.
Scottish Premier League Map:
League Format:
The Scottish Premier League season begins in August and ends in May with no winter break.
The 12 teams play each other three teams (2 home and 1 away or 1 home and 2 away) for a total of 33 matches.
The 12 teams are then split into 2 groups of 6, a championship group and a relegation group. Each teams plays 1 additional game against each group opponent, therefore teams play 38 games total.
3 points are awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.
Final league position is based on the total number of points earned over the full season.
The team with the most points is considered the league champion.
The bottom team is relegated to the second-tier Scottish Football League First Division.
Total First Tier Scottish League Titles:
Also includes Scottish Football League (1890-93, 1915-21), Scottish Football League First Division (1893-1915, 1922-39, 57-75), A Division (1947-56), Scottish Football League Premier Division (1975-98).
54 Glasgow Rangers
42 Celtic
4 Aberdeen 4 Hearts 4 Hibernian
2 Dumbarton
1 Dundee 1 Dundee United 1 Kilmarnock 1 Motherwell 1 Third Lanark
Note: The 1890-91 title was shared by Rangers and Dumbarton.
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