There’s Nothing Else Like It

The SPFL has whetted the appetite of fans across the country with the release of a new campaign video celebrating the start of the new league season – and the characters that make Scottish football so memorable.

To kick-off their new campaign, There’s Nothing Else Like It, the league body has enlisted the help of famous football faces from East Fife manager Dick Campbell, David Martindale of Livingston, Sky Sports’ broadcast team – and their culinary equivalents at football caterers Pie Sports.

The campaign aims to tap into the weird and wonderful storylines that put Scottish football in a league of its own. To reinforce the point, legendary dugout character Campbell, who recently celebrated a record seventh promotion, can be seen painstakingly selecting one of his favourite bunnets – in full view of his long-time coach, John Young, famous for wearing both his reading and long-vision glasses at the same time.

Sky Sports punditry duo Chris Sutton and Kris Boyd have a playful joke over “rivalries and friendships … supposedly”, while creator Sam North pays homage to the away day adventures, BBC Scotland’s Championship host Jonathan Sutherland extolls the virtues of “Friday Night Lights” and Scott Arfield gives a nod to his Whigfield-inspired song from the Falkirk fans by countering “and Saturday Night”.

The promo also features Sky Sports presenter Eilidh Barbour and commentator Ian Crocker, former Hibs midfielder and East Kilbride first team coach Scott Allan as well as referee Don Robertson, long serving Elgin City groundsman Cecil Jack and fans from across the country.

SPFL group chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Scottish football is truly unique – There’s Nothing Else Like it.

“Whether it’s a packed William Hill Premiership stadium or a buzzing William Hill League 2 terrace, the passion, the humour, the drama and the connection between clubs and fans is something to be proud of.

“With this campaign, we wanted to celebrate everything that makes the SPFL special – and shine a light on the people who make it what it is.

“From legendary Scottish football figures like Dick Campbell to well-known faces across the game as well as fans at our member clubs, this is about showing the magic of Scottish football.”

The There’s Nothing Else Like It campaign will run across the SPFL’s digital platforms around the opening weekend of the season and continue throughout, with a light being shone on the best and the most unexpected moments.

A total of five games have been selected for live television coverage across the opening weekend, with Sky Sports showing four matches in the William Hill Premiership, starting with Motherwell v Rangers on Saturday August 2, kick-off 5.30pm.

Reigning champions Celtic begin the defence of their trophy against St Mirren on Sunday (Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm) following Falkirk’s first top-flight game since 2010, against Dundee United, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 2.00pm. 

Sky Sports will also have live coverage of Heart of Midlothian v Aberdeen on Monday August 4, kick-off 8.00pm, as Derek McInnes takes charge of his first league game as Hearts boss against his former club and Scottish Cup holders.

The first match of the 2025/26 SPFL season will see Arbroath unfurl their flag for winning William Hill League 1 before their match against Ayr United, live on the BBC Scotland channel on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Promoted pair Peterhead and East Fife meet in their William Hill League 1 opener at Balmoor while East Kilbride will make their SPFL debut against The Spartans at K-Park.