Celtic Challenge introduces home final incentive

The final of the 2026-27 Celtic Challenge will be played at the ground of the highest-ranked team rather than a neutral venue.The cross-border competition, which features two clubs from each of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, gets under way on Saturday, 5 December.Teams play five home and away fixtures in the regular season and there is an added incentive for placings, with the higher seed of the two semi-final winners hosting the final.Last season Wolfhounds beat Irish rivals Clovers in a final played at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh.The champions, who won the title for the third successive season, get the 2026-27 campaign under way at home to Welsh side Brython Thunder in Belfast.Edinburgh also travel to Ireland to face Clovers while the other Welsh team, Gwalia Lightning, entertain Glasgow.Competition weekendsRound one: 5 DecemberRound two: 12 DecemberRound three: 19 DecemberRound four: 9 JanuaryRound five: 16 JanuaryRound six: 23 JanuaryRound seven: 6 FebruaryRound eight: 13 FebruaryRound nine: 20 FebruaryRound 10: 27 FebruarySemi-finals: 13 MarchFinal: Weekend of 27 March