Club Brugge win Belgian top flight for 20th time after Union Saint-Gilloise slip-up

Club Brugge players celebrate winning the Jupiler Pro League for the 20th time.
Club Brugge players celebrate winning the Jupiler Pro League for the 20th time.BRUNO FAHY / BELGA / AFP

Club Brugge were crowned Belgian champions for the 20th time on Thursday evening – their fifth title in seven years – following a 2-2 draw away at Mechelen.

Brugge capitalised on a slip-up by their closest rivals and reigning champions, Union Saint-Gilloise who drew 0-0 at Ghent, to maintain a four-point lead with one matchday remaining in the play-offs.

The title ensures the Flemish club will compete in the Champions League group phase for the third consecutive season.

Brugge reached the European round of 16 in 2025, This season they advanced to the knockout round playoffs, where they lost to future semi-finalists Atletico Madrid.

For Blauw-Zwart, however, it was not plain sailing. They sacked coach Nicky Hayen on December 8 and replaced him with Croatian Ivan Leko, poached from Gent.

Brugge boasted the best attack in Belgium in both the regular season (59 goals) and the play-offs (27), thanks to the effectiveness of the league's top two scorers, Greek forward Christos Tzolis and German striker Nicolo Tresoldi who both hit 16 goals.

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