Belgium Pro League 2025/2026: Full Season Preview

The 2025/2026 Belgium Pro League season promises to be one of the most exciting campaigns in recent memory. Between dominant favorites, ambitious outsiders, newly promoted underdogs, and high-impact transfers, the league landscape looks rich with intrigue. Here's everything you need to know before kick-off.

Club Brugge, the team to beat

As has often been the case in recent years, Club Brugge enters the new season as the odds-on favorite. The club has strengthened its already-deep squad with the arrival of Serbian midfielder Aleksandar Stanković from Inter Milan and Italian-German striker Nicolò Tresoldi from Hannover 96. These reinforcements, combined with a solid core and tactical continuity, put Brugge at the front of the title race once again.

Can Union Saint-Gilloise take the final step?

Union Saint-Gilloise remains one of the most compelling stories in Belgian football. After consistently finishing in the top spots since their return to the top flight, they’ve kept most of their key players this summer while smartly reinforcing the squad. The addition of Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen (from Brighton), creative midfielder Adem Zorgane, and lively winger Raul Florucz may just give Union the depth needed to challenge for the title.

Genk and Anderlecht seek a breakthrough

Genk continues its focus on youth development. The standout move this summer was the €2.2 million signing of promising Cameroonian forward Aaron Bibout from Sweden's Västerås SK. While the loss of Christopher Bonsu Baah to the Saudi Pro League is significant, Genk's fast-paced and vertical playing style remains dangerous.

Anderlecht, meanwhile, looks to build on its return to European competition. With the signing of defender Louis Patris and strong performances from young talents like Zeno Debast, the Brussels side aims to return to the top tier of Belgian football.

Ambitious outsiders: Antwerp, Mechelen, Westerlo

Royal Antwerp still boasts one of the deepest squads despite losing veterans like Tjaronn Chery and Jelle Bataille. With a high budget and competitive mentality, they remain a threat to any top-three side.

KV Mechelen could be a surprise package this year. With the loan of Zinho Vanheusden and the signing of Aziz Ouattara, coach Besnik Hasi has put together a pressing, aggressive squad that impressed in pre-season.

Westerlo, although affected by the end of loans from Luka Vušković and Alfie Devine (both returned to Tottenham), still offers one of the most attractive brands of football in the league.

Cercle Brugge is another team worth watching. With new German coach Onur Cinel, a product of the Red Bull school of football, they are expected to play high-energy, dynamic football.

Tough road ahead for promoted and struggling clubs

The newly promoted teams will likely face an uphill battle.

• RAAL La Louvière, returning to the top flight after decades away, has the lowest budget in the league and is temporarily without a home stadium due to renovations.
• Dender, another surprise promotion, hasn’t yet made significant moves in the transfer market and still relies on its second-division roster.
• Zulte-Waregem must also contend with financial limitations and is gambling on unknown young talent like Albanian midfielder Ujka.
• OH Leuven enters the season with a new sporting direction but little in terms of impactful reinforcements, and depth could be a serious concern.

Transfer window highlights

🔄 Key arrivals:

• Aleksandar Stanković (Inter → Club Brugge, €9.5M)
• Nicolò Tresoldi (Hannover → Club Brugge, €6M)
• Kjell Scherpen (Brighton → Union SG, €2M)
• Aaron Bibout (Västerås → Genk, €2.2M)
• Zinho Vanheusden (Inter → KV Mechelen, loan)
• Louis Patris (Sint-Truiden → Anderlecht, €1.75M)

🔁 Major departures:

• Noah Sadiki (Union SG → Sunderland, £17.5M)
• Christopher Bonsu Baah (Genk → Al-Qadsiah, €17M)
• Tjaronn Chery (Antwerp → NEC Nijmegen)
• Jelle Bataille (Antwerp → Maccabi Haifa, free)
• Siebe Van der Heyden (Mallorca → KAA Gent, €3M)

Tactical trends to watch

• Club Brugge maintains its aggressive 4-3-3 system, with more control in midfield thanks to Stanković.
• Union SG aims for improved ball circulation with Scherpen's footwork and Zorgane’s versatility.
• Genk builds around a young core and quick transitions under their 4-2-3-1 setup.
• Promoted teams are expected to rely on compact, reactive styles with counter-attacks.

Conclusion: A wide-open race

While Club Brugge starts the season as clear favorite, Union Saint-Gilloise and Genk could realistically mount a serious challenge. Further down the table, expect a fierce battle for European spots with Antwerp, KV Mechelen, and Cercle Brugge looking dangerous. At the bottom, the fight for survival may be the most intense it’s been in years.

With kickoff just around the corner, Belgian football fans are in for another thrilling season of Pro League action.