(pictured in 2018) The competition is a
knock-out tournament and was contested by 49 teams from Scotland in 2022–23, as well as 2 teams each from Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.
Raith Rovers As a
2021–22 Scottish Championship club, Raith Rovers were given a bye to the third round. The 2023 final was Raith's fourth Challenge Cup final and third consecutive final, having split the
2020 edition with
Inverness Caledonian Thistle after the final was postponed indefinitely due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, and were reigning champions after winning the
2022 edition against
Queen of the South. They also won the
2014 final against
Rangers, making them undefeated in all four finals they had been involved in prior.
Hamilton Academical As a
2021–22 Scottish Championship club, Hamilton Academical were given a bye to the third round. This was Hamilton's first Challenge Cup final since the
2012 edition. The 2023 final was Hamilton's fifth Challenge Cup final, having won the cup in
1991 and
1992, and finishing as runners-up in
2005 and 2012. ==Match details==