Hearts in Champions League qualifiers first time in 20 years, will face seeded opponent Fenerbahce or Sturm Graz, first leg on 21/22 July. Coach Derek McInnes is widely expected to join Rangers, meaning Hearts could enter under new management. The tie follows Hearts' 2024 domestic runner‑up finish and mirrors their 2004‑05 Champions League run.

A win over Fenerbahce seeds Hearts into the third qualifying round, where opponents could include Sparta Prague, NEC Nijmegen or Union Saint‑Gilloise. Owner Tony Bloom keeps his stakes in Hearts and Union under 30% to meet UEFA multi‑club rules. A victory against Sturm Graz leaves Hearts unseeded, drawing Lyon, Olympiacos or similar. Losing drops them into the Europa League third qualifier.

Hibs enter the Conference League second qualifying round as seeded side and may meet Swedish GAIS, IFK Gothenburg, Israeli Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Icelandic Valur, Northern Irish Coleraine or Irish Shelbourne. Motherwell, now without Jens Berthal Askou, face a tougher draw with possible ties against Ajax, Braga, Copenhagen, Gent, Rapid Vienna and others. New managers will aim to avoid the significant embarrassment of past early exits.