The Scottish Premier League (SPL) was the highest level of the Scottish football league system between 1998 and 2013. During this period matches were played at 19 football stadiums. The inaugural round of SPL matches took place on the weekend of 1–2 August 1998, with five clubs hosting the opening fixtures. The league ceased after the 2012–13 Scottish Premier League season, when the SPL and Scottish Football League merged to form the Scottish Professional Football League.