What you need to know about Celtic's title party in Glasgow

Glasgow Times

17-05-2025

Hoops Ultras announced they will be holding a 'title party' in the city's Trongate area, near the city centre, on Saturday, May 17.
The North Curve said the bash will take place following the club's Scottish Premiership clash against St Mirren at Celtic Park.
Image of a previous Celtic title party (Image: Newsquest)
READ MORE: Celtic supporters group confirms plans for Glasgow title party
Trongate Title Party
Saturday 17 May
After Celtic v St. Mirren pic.twitter.com/Fycd92E6iP — North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) May 12, 2025
Here's everything you need to know about the Hoops title party:
Where and when is it happening:
Celtic supporters are expected to gather in the Trongate/Merchant City areas on Saturday, May 17, to celebrate the club's Scottish Premiership title victory.
What have the police said ahead of the title celebration?
(Image: Newsquest) Ahead of the weekend, Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said the force is 'aware of concerns' regarding events in the city.
On top of the unofficial Celtic title party, thousands of people are expected to join an Orange Order march on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Glasgow.
In a statement, the top cop revealed officers are working with their partners, including Glasgow City Council, to minimise disruption to the wider community.
A 'proportionate policing plan', which will focus on public safety, has been put in place for the day.
The Assistant Chief Constable has also urged people to 'not gather in large groups' and be 'respectful'.
The force is also warning that Glasgow city centre will be 'much busier than normal' due to the events on Saturday.
READ MORE: Police warning ahead of Celtic title party and Orange Walk in Glasgow
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: "We are aware of concerns regarding events in Glasgow on Saturday, May 17, with large crowds expected to gather.
'I'd like to reassure the public we are working closely with our partners at Glasgow City Council to minimise disruption to the wider community, and a proportionate policing plan is in place, with a focus on public safety.
'We respect the right to public assembly, however, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure their behaviour does not negatively impact businesses or those looking to enjoy our city.
"Please do not gather in large groups, and be respectful of those around you.
'If you are planning to visit Glasgow City Centre on Saturday, it will be much busier than normal.
"There is also likely to be increased usage of public transport, so make travel arrangements in advance.'
(Image: Newsquest) What have the police previously said ahead of the title bash?
Police chiefs previously hit out at Celtic and council bosses for 'failing to organise a title party fan zone'.
Officers claimed they face tackling more mayhem in the city centre on Saturday as thousands of Hoops fans will flock to the unofficial event.
READ MORE: Glasgow cops hit out over no plans for football celebrations
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: 'Our preference was for an organised event or fanzone which would cause far less disruption, reduce levels of antisocial behaviour and improve public safety.
'Police Scotland requested this be considered with our partners, including Celtic FC and Glasgow City Council, as part of planning discussions.
'Unfortunately, this option wasn't progressed.
"We're now working on the assumption that supporters will gather in the Trongate area.'
(Image: Newsquest) Chief Constable Sutherland added: 'We'll do all we can to deal with anti-social behaviour.
"I'd urge supporters not to gather in large numbers and to respect the residents, businesses and wider public using the city centre.'
However, Glasgow City Council claimed that police chiefs have never asked the local authority to organise an event.
A council spokesperson said: 'We have been clear, this season and in previous years, that we would support any effort made by our football clubs to organise safe, sustainable celebration events for their supporters.
'We know from our discussions that an organised event is also the strong preference of Police Scotland. However, there has been no request from them for the council to organise or host such an event.'
What have Glasgow City Council said ahead of the celebration?
Ahead of the event, a council spokesperson said: 'We want supporters of every team in Glasgow to be able to celebrate their successes, but ask fans – including those visiting the city – to please avoid disruptive mass gatherings at Merchant City/Trongate and other public places.
"These events and others like them have consistently led to disorder, causing significant disruption for the local community and businesses.
"Damage to buildings and infrastructure robs the public purse of hundreds of thousands of pounds that would otherwise be spent on the essential services we all rely on.
"Enjoy trophy day, but respect the city and your neighbours.
"Do not attend unsafe and disruptive gatherings in public places like Merchant City/Trongate."
What happened following last year's Hoops fans' unofficial title party?
In 2024, the local authority was forced to fork out a whopping £73,032 to repair Mercat Cross after the unofficial Celtic title party took place.
At the event, attendees were pictured climbing buildings, bus shelters, and traffic lights.
Some were also spotted setting off pyrotechnics and drinking. After crowds left the event in the Merchant City area, stickers, graffiti, flags, and litter were left behind.
The entire cost of the clean-up mission was expected to amount to over £100,000.
(Image: Newsquest) What has happened in the lead-up to the event this year?
Fans left excluded from talks about the Celtic title party gatherings:
Ahead of the title bash, we reported how no meetings have taken place between the council and any Celtic fan groups.
Talks between the council, officials from Celtic and Rangers, and Police Scotland were held following last year's gathering.
READ MORE: Fans excluded from talks about Celtic title party gatherings
The Glasgow Times discovered that there was a meeting between the council, Police Scotland, and Celtic Football Club at Celtic Park in February 2025.
But there have been no official meetings with anyone representing supporters.
The top-level meeting was organised by MSP, Kaukab Stewart.
It saw Celtic, Rangers, Police Scotland, Merchant City and Trongate Community Council, and the Scottish Government gather, however, there were no fan reps in attendance.
Business owner hits out at silence over the Celtic title bash:
Cristoforo Corvi (Image: Newsquest) A business owner previously told the Glasgow Times that Celtic FC has a 'responsibility' to speak out on fans gathering for the unofficial event.
Cristoforo Corvi, 60, who owns Guido's Coronation Restaurant on Gallowgate, said it is 'bizarre' that 'nobody seems to be talking about it' despite knowing loads of supporters will gather in the Trongate on Saturday.
He said: 'I know it's happening, everybody knows, I don't understand why the club, the local authorities, the police, supporters' clubs don't say 'right this is going to happen, how can we make it as peaceful as possible.'
Cristoforo added: 'I believe the club have got a responsibility, but they don't ever speak out, which I find bizarre."
(Image: Wattie Cheung) READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Glasgow residents asked Celtic Football Club to urge fans against any 'disruption':
READ MORE: Glasgow residents ask Celtic to urge fans against 'disruption'
Locals living in the city centre called on Celtic's top boss to urge the club's supporters not to repeat 'disgraceful anti-social behaviour' at the event this year.
In April, Calton and Merchant City, and Trongate community councils wrote to Hoops CEO Michael Nicholson, saying while they understand fans want to celebrate the occasion, at the end of the last two football seasons, they have "created havoc for people, businesses and visitors in and around Glasgow Cross".