Upcoming European Football Seasons: Key Insights and Expectations
The Club World Cup in the United States concluded on July 13, but Europe's top leagues are gearing up for their new seasons.
The Dutch Eredivisie kicks off on August 8, followed shortly by the Portuguese Primeira Liga and Spain's La Liga. France's Ligue 1, Germany's Bundesliga, and Italy's Serie A will commence later in August.
BBC Sport has examined these six competitions, highlighting key fixtures and offering a preview of what to expect in the 2025-26 season.
France - Ligue 1
Starts: August 15
Defending champions: PSG (13 titles)
Teams in Europe: PSG, Marseille, Monaco (Champions League); Nice (Champions League third qualifying round); Lille, Lyon (Europa League); Strasbourg (Conference League play-off)
Promoted and relegated: Lorient, Metz, Paris FC (promoted); Montpellier, Saint-Etienne, Reims (relegated)
Biggest summer signings: Joaquin Panichelli (Alaves to Strasbourg, £14.3m), Jonathan Rowe (Norwich to Marseille, £12.5m), Pierre-Emile Hojberg (Tottenham to Marseille, £11.7m), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest to Strasbourg, £9.1m), Eric Dier (Bayern Munich to Monaco, free), Olivier Giroud (Los Angeles FC to Lille, free), Angel Gomes (Lille to Marseille, free)
Expert insight from French football journalist Raphael Jucobin:
“While PSG appears poised for another title, they are likely to face tougher competition this season. The primary challenge will come from Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille, who have bolstered their squad with notable signings like Angel Gomes and Facundo Medina. Monaco will also feature familiar international players such as Paul Pogba, Eric Dier, and Ansu Fati. The first top-flight derby in the capital since the 1980s will be a significant highlight, and Paris FC's strategic moves, despite their financial backing, suggest they could be a surprise contender. With Lyon and Lille appearing weaker, Strasbourg and Lens may offer credible challenges for Champions League spots.”
Germany - Bundesliga
Starts: August 22
Defending champions: Bayern Munich (33 titles)
Teams in Europe: Bayern, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund (Champions League); Freiburg, Stuttgart (Europa League); Mainz (Conference League play-off)
Promoted and relegated: Cologne, Hamburg (promoted); Bochum, Holsten Kiel (relegated)
Biggest summer signings: Luis Diaz (Liverpool to Bayern Munich, £65.5m), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool to Leverkusen, £35m), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven to Leverkusen, £35m), Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland to Dortmund, £27m), Yan Couto (Manchester City to Dortmund, £25.3m), Vini Souza (Sheffield United to Wolfsburg, £13m), Mark Flekken (Brentford to Leverkusen, £8m)
Expert insight from German football writer Constantin Eckner:
“Bayern Munich remains the clear favorite for the Bundesliga title. Although they have faced challenges in acquiring new attackers, their squad's depth remains strong, even with Jamal Musiala sidelined for the initial months. Borussia Dortmund is positioned as the main competitor, with Jobe Bellingham expected to play a pivotal role. Additionally, keep an eye on Ibrahim Maza, a promising 19-year-old midfielder who has just joined Bayer Leverkusen and could be a worthy successor to Florian Wirtz.”
Italy - Serie A
Starts: August 23
Defending champions: Napoli (four titles)
Teams in Europe: Napoli, Inter Milan, Atalanta, Juventus (Champions League); Roma, Bologna (Europa League); Fiorentina (Conference League play-off)
Promoted and relegated: Cremonese, Pisa, Sassuolo (promoted); Monza, Venezia, Empoli (relegated)
Biggest summer signings: Francisco Conceicao (Porto to Juventus, £27.7m), Sam Beukema (Bologna to Napoli, £26.9m), Nico Gonzalez (Fiorentina to Juventus, £24.4m), Noa Lang (PSV Eindhoven to Napoli, £21.6m), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Parma to Inter Milan, £20m), Luis Henrique (Marseille to Inter Milan, £20m), Lloyd Kelly (Newcastle to Juventus, £20m), Jonathan David (Lille to Juventus, free), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City to Napoli, free), Ciro Immobile (Besiktas to Bologna, free), Luka Modric (Real Madrid to AC Milan, free)
Expert insight from Italian football journalist Daniele Verri:
“The title race is shaping up to be a contest between Napoli and Inter. Napoli has improved with the signings of Kevin De Bruyne, Noa Lang, Lorenzo Lucca, Sam Beukema, and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, allowing coach Antonio Conte to rotate players without compromising quality. Keeping Conte was crucial, but competing on multiple fronts will be challenging. Inter remains formidable, especially with Hakan Calhanoglu staying and the potential addition of Ademola Lookman. AC Milan, under Massimiliano Allegri and Igli Tare, has also made positive strides in the transfer market, with potential signings like Ardon Jashari and Dusan Vlahovic. Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas’ Como is aiming high after a strong return to Serie A, having invested significantly in their squad. Watch for Napoli’s De Bruyne and Milan’s Modric, who are expected to bring experience and quality to the league.”
Netherlands - Eredivisie
Starts: August 8
Defending champions: PSV Eindhoven (26 titles)
Teams in Europe: PSV, Ajax (Champions League); Feyenoord (Champions League third qualifying round); Go Ahead Eagles (Europa League); Utrecht (Europa League second qualifying round); AZ Alkmaar (Conference League second qualifying round)
Promoted and relegated: Excelsior, Telstar, Volendam (promoted); Almere City, RKC Waalwijk, Willem II (relegated)
Biggest summer signings: Ruben van Bommel (AZ Alkmaar to PSV, £13.7m), Raul Moro (Real Vallecano to Ajax, £9.5m), Sem Steijn (Twente to Feyenoord, £8.7m), Yarek Gasiorowski (Valencia to PSV, £8.5m), Luciano Valente (Groningen to Feyenoord, £6.8m)
Expert insight from Dutch football journalist Arthur Renard:
“PSV is favored to win the title, having strengthened their squad with the addition of Ruben van Bommel, son of former international Mark. They showcased their strength in a pre-season victory over Athletic Bilbao. Ajax, now under John Heitinga, will also be a team to watch closely.”