- Tournament Revival: The historic Tennent’s Sixes indoor football tournament returns to Braehead Arena on October 3–4, 2026, featuring legends from all 12 Scottish Premiership clubs.
- Sponsorship Announcement: Union Technical, a Glasgow-based and accredited specialist in renewable energy, insulation, and heating solutions, has been named the official back-of-shirt sponsor for Celtic’s squad.
- Tournament Format: Saturday’s group stages will consist of three regionalised groups of four teams, with group winners, runners-up, and the two best third-placed teams advancing to Sunday’s knockout rounds.
- Match Rules: Every game must produce a winner, triggering a penalty shoot-out for a bonus point if matches finish level, alongside the return of the classic sin bin.
- Celtic Squad Highlights: The famous green and white hoops will be worn by club favourites including Aiden McGeady, Simon Donnelly, and Charlie Mulgrew.
- Corporate Acknowledgements: Celtic Football Club extended gratitude to Michael Sweeney and Owen Coyle for their personal support of the partnership.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) September 22, 2026 — As the historic indoor tournament prepares for its long-awaited revival next weekend, Union Technical has been officially unveiled as the back-of-shirt sponsor for Celtic’s squad at the upcoming Tennent’s Sixes.
How is the Tennent’s Sixes Shaping Up for its Return at Braehead Arena?
The iconic indoor six-a-side competition, which originally captured the imagination of Scottish football supporters during its storied run between 1984 and 1993, is set to make its official comeback at Braehead Arena on October 3 and 4, 2026. Bringing a heavy dose of nostalgia blended with a modern competitive twist, the tournament features legendary former players representing all 12 clubs from the Scottish Premiership.
As detailed by tournament organisers, the action-packed weekend commences with Saturday group stages divided into three regionalised groups of four. Progression to the high-stakes knockout stages on Sunday is guaranteed for each group winner and runner-up, alongside the two best third-placed teams. To maintain maximum intensity and keep spectators on the edge of their seats, tournament regulations dictate that every single match must yield a winner. If a fixture finishes level after regulation time, teams will immediately contest a penalty shoot-out to award a bonus point, while the traditional, crowd-pleasing sin bin is also set to make its eagerly anticipated return.
What Does the Partnership with Union Technical Bring to Celtic’s Campaign?
Stepping into the commercial fold for the tournament, Union Technical enters as the official back-of-shirt sponsor for the Celtic legends team. Founded in Glasgow in 2014, Union Technical has established itself as a leading, accredited provider of domestic and large-scale heating, insulation, and renewable energy solutions across the United Kingdom.
The company’s corporate branding will feature prominently on the reverse of the famous green and white hoops. These jerseys will be donned by a star-studded selection of Parkhead favourites—including the likes of Aiden McGeady, Simon Donnelly, and Charlie Mulgrew—as they battle for supremacy against rival legends over the course of the two-day event.
In an official statement released regarding the collaboration, club officials expressed their appreciation:
“Celtic Football Club would like to thank Michael Sweeney and Owen Coyle for their personal support of the club and wish them and their colleagues at Union Technical every success.”
Background
The revival of the Tennent’s Sixes marks a major nostalgic milestone for Scottish football. The original tournament ran annually from 1984 to 1993, famously hosted at venues like Glasgow’s SECC and broadcast widely, becoming a staple of the winter sports calendar. Featuring fast-paced indoor action, boards akin to ice hockey rinks, and unique rules designed to maximize goals and entertainment, it created lasting memories for a generation of fans before sponsorship withdrawals led to its discontinuation following Partick Thistle’s 1993 victory. The SPFL and Braehead Arena’s joint decision to relaunch the tournament as a legends competition integrates modern commercial partnerships—such as Union Technical’s backing of Celtic—to bridge generations of supporters.
Prediction
How will the introduction of commercial partnerships and structured regional groups affect the participating clubs and their supporters? The integration of established regional firms like Union Technical into legends events provides vital financial and promotional backing, ensuring that exhibition formats remain commercially viable and high-profile. For supporters and the wider Scottish football community, the tournament acts as a powerful commercial and cultural bridge, uniting older generations who remember the 1980s and 90s heyday with younger families experiencing the fast-paced indoor format for the first time. Ultimately, this commercial visibility enhances fan engagement and elevates the profile of secondary winter sports entertainment in Glasgow.
