Rangers will play their home matches at Hampden Park at the start of the new season as Ibrox undergoes renovations, a temporary move that has significant implications for the Gers’ European campaign. If UEFA agrees in advance, Rangers could play their Champions League or Europa League qualifiers at Hampden in August and then switch to Ibrox for the group stage in September. The Champions League group stage starts on September 17, while the Europa League begins on September 25. However, regulations prohibit switching between Hampden and Ibrox during the group stage.
Therefore, Rangers must decide early whether to play qualifiers at Hampden and ensure Ibrox is ready by mid-September for the rest of the tournament. These regulations, which Barcelona are also grappling with, state clubs cannot change stadiums mid-group stage. This could mean that if Rangers progress, they will play league matches at Ibrox and European games at Hampden until they are knocked out.
Barcelona faces a similar challenge as the Spanish club plans to move back to the Spotify Camp Nou in December after renovations. However, UEFA rules require them to finish the Champions League group stage at the Olympic Stadium, regardless of Camp Nou’s readiness. Mundo Deportivo reported on July 11 that UEFA regulations do not allow stadium changes until after the group stage, which ends in January. Barcelona expects to play at Camp Nou for the knockout rounds if they qualify.
This situation illustrates the complexity of UEFA’s regulations, which Rangers must navigate. Rangers Chairman John Bennett acknowledged the uncertainty this causes, apologizing to season ticket holders, hospitality clients, partners, and supporters. He promised a clearer update by the end of July, but it seems likely that Hampden will host the Gers’ European fixtures until at least early 2025, should they remain in either competition.
In other Rangers news, a sell-on clause has emerged as Robby McCrorie closes in on his Ibrox exit this summer.