European football returns: Key start dates, transfers & title favorites
The 2025-26 European football season is just around the corner, with leagues across the continent preparing for another year of drama, big-money transfers, and fierce title battles. While the Dutch Eredivisie kicks things off on August 8, other major leagues like La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A follow later in the month.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of each league’s start date, defending champions, biggest transfers, and expert predictions for the season ahead.
France – Ligue 1 (Starts: August 15)
Defending Champions: PSG (13th title)
Teams in Europe: PSG, Marseille, Monaco (UCL), Nice (UCL qualifiers), Lille, Lyon (UEL), Strasbourg (UECL)
Key Signings:
- Joaquin Panichelli (Alavés → Strasbourg, £14.3m)
- Jonathan Rowe (Norwich → Marseille, £12.5m)
- Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham → Marseille, £11.7m)
- Eric Dier (Bayern → Monaco, free)
- Olivier Giroud (LAFC → Lille, free)
Expert Insight (Raphael Jucobin, French Football Journalist):
“PSG remain favorites, but Marseille, under Roberto De Zerbi, could challenge with new signings like Angel Gomes. Monaco’s mix of Pogba, Dier, and Ansu Fati adds intrigue. The Paris derby (PSG vs. Paris FC) will be historic!”
Germany – Bundesliga (Starts: August 22)
Defending Champions: Bayern Munich (33rd title)
Teams in Europe: Bayern, Leverkusen, Frankfurt, Dortmund (UCL), Freiburg, Stuttgart (UEL), Mainz (UECL)
Key Signings:
- Luis Díaz (Liverpool → Bayern, £65.5m)
- Jarell Quansah (Liverpool → Leverkusen, £35m)
- Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland → Dortmund, £27m)
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool → Real Madrid, £8.4m)
Expert Insight (Constantin Eckner, German Football Writer):
“Bayern are favorites, but Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham could be the league’s breakout star. Leverkusen’s new signing Ibrahim Maza might follow in Florian Wirtz’s footsteps.”
Italy – Serie A (Starts: August 23)
Defending Champions: Napoli (4th title)
Teams in Europe: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus (UCL), Roma, Bologna (UEL), Fiorentina (UECL)
Key Signings:
- Kevin De Bruyne (Man City → Napoli, free)
- Luka Modrić (Real Madrid → AC Milan, free)
- Jonathan David (Lille → Juventus, free)
- Francisco Conceição (Porto → Juventus, £27.7m)
Expert Insight (Daniele Verri, Italian Football Journalist):
“Napoli and Inter are title favorites. De Bruyne at Napoli is a game-changer, while Modrić brings class to Milan. Watch out for Cesc Fàbregas’ ambitious Como side!”
Netherlands – Eredivisie (Starts: August 8)
Defending Champions: PSV Eindhoven (26th title)
Teams in Europe: PSV, Ajax (UCL), Feyenoord (UCL qualifiers), Utrecht, AZ Alkmaar (UEL/UECL)
Key Signings:
- Ruben van Bommel (AZ → PSV, £13.7m)
- Sem Steijn (Twente → Feyenoord, £8.7m)
Expert Insight (Arthur Renard, Dutch Football Journalist):
“PSV are favorites, but Ajax under John Heitinga and Feyenoord with Robin van Persie could challenge. AZ’s Kees Smit is one to watch.”
Portugal – Primeira Liga (Starts: August 8)
Defending Champions: Sporting CP (21st title)
Teams in Europe: Sporting, Benfica (UCL), Porto (UEL), Braga (UECL)
Key Signings:
- Luis Suárez (Almería → Sporting, £19.2m)
- Gabri Veiga (Al-Ahli → Porto, £13m)
Expert Insight (Diogo Pombo, Portuguese Football Journalist):
“Sporting lost Gyökeres, so Porto, with new coach Francisco Farioli, could take advantage. Benfica needs creativity in midfield.”
Spain – La Liga (Starts: August 15)
Defending Champions: Barcelona (28th title)
Teams in Europe: Barça, Real Madrid, Atlético, Athletic, Villarreal (UCL), Betis, Celta (UEL)
Key Signings:
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool → Real Madrid, £8.4m)
- Marcus Rashford (Man Utd → Barcelona, loan)
- Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth → Real Madrid, £50m)
Expert Insight (Guillem Balague, European Football Journalist):
“Real Madrid are favorites with Xabi Alonso now in charge. Barcelona will rely on Rashford’s firepower, while Atlético’s busy transfer window makes them dark horses.”