The 2026 BetMcLean Cup Final at Windsor Park sees the coming together of the ‘Big Two’ in a cup decider for the first time in 16 years. The famous stadium is sure to be reverberating with noise and awash with colour when the teams take to the pitch for what is a highly anticipated final.

Kick off is 3pm, and the match is all ticket. The game will be broadcast live on Sky TV, BBC2, BBC iPlayer and NIFLTV. History will also be made with the introduction of VAR for the first time in a NIFL fixture.

Linfield have an impressive record in the competition, having lifted the trophy on 12 occasions. This includes back-to-back final victories in 2023 and 2024 against Coleraine and Portadown respectively.

Glentoran are seven-time winners of the cup, with their most recent success coming in 2010 when they defeated Coleraine in a penalty shootout.

Glentoran arrive at Windsor Park in good form and remain in the mix for the Premiership title having secured a fourth consecutive league win with a 4–0 victory away to Bangor. The player to watch is striker Pat Hoban who has found the net an impressive 27 times in all competitions since joining from Derry City in the summer.

Linfield also recorded a midweek win, defeating Portadown 3–1 at Windsor Park to keep their own title ambitions alive. David Healy’s men will look to be at their very best in what promises to be an intense and memorable final for The Blues.

COYB!

By Ken Garrett