Draw made for new league stage of Sky Sports Cup

The fixtures for the inaugural season of the Sky Sports Cup league stage have been revealed.

The new format will kick off on July 26 and involves the remaining eight Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) 2 clubs from last season, the bottom four SWPL clubs from last season, plus the two promoted teams from the SWF Championship.

Teams will play four matches in the opening round against four different teams, based on seeded pots.

The highest-ranked side, Motherwell, kick-off at home to Montrose.

Hamilton Accies, who were relegated from the top-flight, start against SWPL play-off winners Aberdeen.

Elsewhere, Kilmarnock begin away to Boroughmuir Thistle in an all SWPL 2 clash, while play-off finalists Queen's Park host SWPL 2 champions Spartans in their opener.

Dundee United begin at home to newly-promoted Renfrew, St Johnstone take on Livingston and newly promoted Falkirk take on Gartcairn.

The top six teams will progress automatically to the second round, where champions Glasgow City, plus Celtic, Hibernian and Partick Thistle also enter.

The teams ranked 7 to 10 in the league stage will compete in a knockout play-off round to determine the final two sides progressing to the second round.

SWPL champions Hearts and Rangers, who are both competing in the Women's Champions League, enter at the quarter-final stage.

Fiona McIntyre, SWPL managing director, said: "The launch of the Sky Sports Cup league stage fixtures is a landmark day in this new era of this competition. This new format adds yet another compelling twist to what has historically been a highly competitive and thrilling competition. Importantly, it provides clubs with a greater number of games and a greater opportunity to advance to the latter stages of the competition.

"This will also be the first opportunity for fans to get a glimpse of their team in the new season, and all clubs will be hoping for a positive run in this league stage to set the tone going into their ScottishPower Women's Premier League and SPWPL 2 campaigns.

"We can't wait to get the new campaign underway, and I would encourage as many fans as possible to play their part by getting along to a Sky Sports Cup match on the opening day to see elite football delivered locally."