CELTIC will again be handed a winter break after the SPFL revealed key dates for the 2018/19 season.
The mid-season shutdown has been retained for another year and will run from December 31 to January 18.
It gives the Hoops and other top-flight teams a chance to regroup and head off to sunshine training camps after the New Year.
League action will kick off across all divisions on August 4, but the season officially gets underway with the Betfred League Cup group stage, which is due to run from July 14 to 28
The tournament format will again incorporate midweek dates throughout July.
However, the first knock-out round – pencilled in midweek this season – has been moved to a weekend slot after a change in UEFA competition dates.