Rangers FC announced today on the club’s official website they will return home to Ibrox Stadium for the Premier Sports Cup match against Dundee on Saturday, 21st September.
They have played their home matches so far this season at Hampden Park, the national football stadium of Scotland.
Results at Hampden
Rangers 2 - 1 Motherwell
Rangers 0 - 2 Dynamo Kyiv
Rangers 2 - 0 St. Johnstone
Rangers 6 - 0 Ross County
The Works at Ibrox Stadium
Rangers FC originally revealed plans for a small scale expansion to the capacity at Ibrox in January, 2024. In addition to increasing wheelchair-accessible spaces at the rear of the Copland Front, the club planned to add nearly 600 seats by constructing a new cantilever at the front of the Copland Rear.
Plans for the temporary switch to Hampden Park were announced in July with approval from the Scottish FA and league boards.
The Return to Ibrox Stadium
The club statement today read:
“RANGERS Football Club today confirms our Premier Sports Cup tie with Dundee on Saturday, 21 September, will be played at Ibrox Stadium.
Excluding the Copland Stand, where final concourse and seating works are ongoing, all areas of our home will be open for this match. Season ticket holders from the Copland Stand will be offered an exclusive window to purchase seating elsewhere.”
John Bennett, chairman of Rangers FC, wanted the Light Blues to return to Ibrox for their last home match in September, and while there were fears of further delays, his wish has now been granted.
“When I think about timelines, it's an aspiration at this stage,” said Bennett, speaking to club media in late July.
“I'm caveating it, there is still uncertainty. We can aspire for that to be at the end of September but it's an aspiration. I am sorry that I have to caveat this, it frustrates me so much that I have to caveat this.
“Yes, I can have an aspiration - get our people back into our home, final game of September but yes, it could slip beyond that.”
The History of Ibrox Stadium
Known as Ibrox Park when it first opened in 1899, has been rebuilt and renovated multiple times, particularly after the disasters of 1902 and 1971. It was renamed to Ibrox Stadium after another round of renovations in 1997, and currently stands as the third-largest football stadium in Scotland behind Celtic Park and Hampden Park .
It was home to Scottish national football team in the 1990s when Hampden Park was being redeveloped, hosted the Rugby Sevens at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.