Overview
- The SPFL and Premier Sports conducted the full group draw on Wednesday, May 27, producing eight groups of five teams and confirming opponents for all 40 entrants.
- Defending champions St Mirren were drawn into Group C with Dunfermline Athletic, Cove Rangers, East Kilbride and Dumbarton.
- The competition format awards three points for a win, sends matches level after 90 minutes to a penalty shootout for an extra point, and advances the eight group winners plus the three best runners‑up to the last 16.
- Three non‑SPFL pyramid clubs — Linlithgow Rose, Highland champions Brora Rangers and Highland runners‑up Brechin City — join the 37 SPFL sides, creating lower‑league exposure and potential giant‑killing ties including three local derbies in Group B.
- The group stage will be played across five matchdays from the weekend of July 11/12 to July 25/26 with the second round on August 15/16, quarter‑finals in mid‑September, semi‑finals on October 31/November 1 and the final at Hampden on December 13.