Tennent's Sixes return after 33 years with Scottish football legends ready to reignite 'heated' old rivalries

All 12 Scottish Premiership sides will be represented at Braehead Arena, with teams competing in a fast-paced, short-format knockout tournament.

A hugely popular televised event, the Tennent’s Sixes ran from 1984 to 1993 and became an iconic staple of the Scottish football calendar, capturing the imagination of a generation of fans.

Back on our TV screens after a 33-year absence thanks to Premier Sports, who will cover both Saturday and Sunday’s action, the tournament brings back special memories for Partick Thistle icon Gerry Britton, who now works for Street Soccer Scotland, official charity partner of the returning SPFL competition.

“Yeah, it's brilliant,” Britton said. “We've been talking about a lot since we got the opportunity to be a charity partner. From my recollection, it was a brilliant event. You need to put it into context, though. We had John Lambie as our manager, and training was absolutely murder. A lot of the times you didn't see the ball for days!”

What is the Tennent’s Sixes?

The Tennent’s Sixes strips football back to its simplest form: fast-paced six-a-side games, plenty of goals and a host of players more accustomed to the traditional 11-a-side game on a full-sized pitch. Teams can have up to nine players in their squad

Saturday’s group stage will feature three regionalised groups of four, with the top two in each group plus the two best third-placed sides advancing to the knockouts. Every match must produce a winner, with a penalty shootout bonus point awarded if scores are level.

Games will be played in two halves of eight minutes during the group stage and two halves of ten minutes during the semi-finals and final. The popular sin bin will also return as organisers look to provide an action-packed spectacle for football fans and families.

Previously featuring stars in their prime, the 2026 revival instead sees retired legends pull on the boots once again for a weekend of light-hearted sporting drama, while providing an entertaining spectacle for families and supporters in attendance.

The 1988 tournament, for example, attracted more than 22,000 spectators across three sessions, with almost 100 goals scored. Britton remembers the thrill of competing against top players and the excitement of making it through to the second day.

“The opportunity to come and play six-a-side but at a really good level, a good standard, for a couple of days was brilliant. You were playing against all the current players at the time. It was stages across two days, so when you knew you were going to be there the second day, you wanted to make sure that you were at the business end and have something to play for.”

One of the defining features of the Sixes is the blend of camaraderie and competition. Players may be reunited with old friends and familiar opponents, but once the whistle blows, the competitive instincts return. That intensity is part of the appeal of small-sided football: less space, more involvement and nowhere to hide.

“The atmosphere was always great, because there was no segregation and there were lots of kids who came to watch. You could have a pint as well, which I think just added to the atmosphere. So, brilliant memories. But you still wanted to win. It was heated and very competitive. There was a wee edge to the matches playing this type of format. We were all rivals at one point, so everybody was determined to win and that made it even more enjoyable to be part of and to watch as well.”

Who are the past winners of the Tennent’s Sixes?

Seven different clubs won the trophy across the 10 tournaments, with Rangers (1984 and 1989), Hearts (1985 and 1991) and Aberdeen (1986 and 1987) claiming two titles apiece. Dundee (1988), Hibs (1990), Celtic (1992) and Partick Thistle (1993) each won it once.

The Jags still retain the original trophy after becoming the competition’s last-ever winners, beating Airdrieonians 4-3 in the 1993 final.

Why is Partick Thistle not defending the trophy?

There is one notable absence from this year's event. Holders Partick Thistle will not have the chance to defend their crown. Britton, a former player and manager of the Maryhill club, admits the decision has not gone unnoticed.

“I know. We've obviously been winding the organisers up about not having the opportunity to defend it,” he grinned. “It would've been nice to play some part. I'm not saying I would have been able to run about personally, but I'd have liked to have maybe been on the sidelines in some sort of coaching capacity.”

There is, however, a potential route back into the tournament... “The point that the guys made to me was, 'well, they've got that incentive if they get promotion to the Premiership this year', which I hope they do, obviously, then they'll have the opportunity to get in it next year.”

More than football: supporting Street Soccer Scotland

The Tennent’s Sixes isn’t simply about nostalgia and competition. Street Soccer Scotland is the event’s charity partner, using football to engage with people facing significant barriers in their lives. Britton is passionate about the organisation’s work.

He said: “We use football as a hook to try and provide support and opportunities for players who, right across the country and London, have maybe experienced homelessness, are in recovery, have long-term unemployment, mental health issues, or displacement.”

“We’re really fortunate that the organisers have asked us to be the charity partner. To get this opportunity again to engage with more members of the public, tell our story again and raise awareness is absolutely perfect. It's a brilliant opportunity.”

What can we expect this time?

If Britton’s memories are anything to go by, don’t expect former players to treat the Sixes as a gentle kickabout. That blend of former professionals, small-sided football, competitive instincts and a few pints is precisely what makes the event so distinctive.

This year’s line-up suggests there will be plenty of experience on show, but for those taking part, the aim is simple: reach the business end of the tournament and, when the final whistle goes, lift the trophy.

“Yeah, definitely,” Britton said when asked if he expects the same competitive spirit this time around. “Looking at some of the guys, Christophe [Berra], Lee Miller, Richard Tait, Jonny Hayes... they’ve obviously looked after themselves well, so there will be a good level of fitness, I’m sure. Naturally, they’ll all want to win. I’ve no doubt about that.”