Aberdeen and Ross County will compete in the top tier of two Reserve league this season.
The SPFL announced yesterday that 27 teams will participate across two leagues, with the Dons and County in an 18-team Reserve League. Caley Thistle, Elgin City and Peterhead will not enter a team.
There are no age restrictions for participation in the Reserve League, other than that players must be at least 16. The first division of the Reserve League will see teams play each other once and fixtures will usually be scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Reserve League 2 is made up of nine clubs, who will play each other once home and away over the season, with fixtures on midweek evenings. Divisional Reserve League Cups will also take place to provide additional games, with the format matching the Betfred Cup in that drawn games will go to penalties for an additional bonus point.
Fixtures are due to be published later this week with the schedule start date on August 20. Reserve League 2 will start the following midweek.
The setup replaces the Development Leagues, with a view to allowing young players to play alongside more senior professionals.
Reserve League teams: Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee, Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic, Falkirk, Hamilton Accies, Hearts, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Morton, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Rangers, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren.
Reserve League 2 teams: Airdrieonians, Albion Rovers, Ayr United, Berwick Rangers, East Kilbride, Livingston, Queen’s Park, Raith Rovers, Stirling Albion.