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.
Hereโs a comprehensive breakdown of each leagueโs start date, defending champions, biggest transfers, and expert predictions for the season ahead.
France โ 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 Panichelliย (Alavรฉs โ Strasbourg, ยฃ14.3m)
- Jonathan Roweย (Norwich โ Marseille, ยฃ12.5m)
- Pierre-Emile Hรธjbjergย (Tottenham โ Marseille, ยฃ11.7m)
- Eric Dierย (Bayern โ Monaco, free)
- Olivier Giroudย (LAFC โ 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. Monacoโs mix of Pogba, Dier, and Ansu Fati adds intrigue. The Paris derby (PSG vs. Paris FC) will be historic!”
Germany โ 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 Dรญazย (Liverpool โ Bayern, ยฃ65.5m)
- Jarell Quansahย (Liverpool โ Leverkusen, ยฃ35m)
- Jobe Bellinghamย (Sunderland โ Dortmund, ยฃ27m)
- Trent Alexander-Arnoldย (Liverpool โ Real Madrid, ยฃ8.4m)
Expert Insight (Constantin Eckner, German Football Writer):
“Bayern are favorites, but Dortmundโs Jobe Bellingham could be the leagueโs breakout star. Leverkusenโs new signing Ibrahim Maza might follow in Florian Wirtzโs footsteps.”
Italy โ 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 Bruyneย (Man City โ Napoli, free)
- Luka Modriฤย (Real Madrid โ AC Milan, free)
- Jonathan Davidย (Lille โ Juventus, free)
- Francisco Conceiรงรฃoย (Porto โ Juventus, ยฃ27.7m)
Expert Insight (Daniele Verri, Italian Football Journalist):
“Napoli and Inter are title favorites. De Bruyne at Napoli is a game-changer, while Modriฤ brings class to Milan. Watch out for Cesc Fร bregasโ ambitious Como side!”
Netherlands โ 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 Bommelย (AZ โ PSV, ยฃ13.7m)
- Sem Steijnย (Twente โ Feyenoord, ยฃ8.7m)
Expert Insight (Arthur Renard, Dutch Football Journalist):
“PSV are favorites, but Ajax under John Heitinga and Feyenoord with Robin van Persie could challenge. AZโs Kees Smit is one to watch.”
Portugal โ Primeira Liga (Starts: August 8)
Defending Champions: Sporting CP (21st title)
Teams in Europe: Sporting, Benfica (UCL), Porto (UEL), Braga (UECL)
Key Signings:
- Luis Suรกrezย (Almerรญa โ Sporting, ยฃ19.2m)
- Gabri Veigaย (Al-Ahli โ Porto, ยฃ13m)
Expert Insight (Diogo Pombo, Portuguese Football Journalist):
“Sporting lost Gyรถkeres, so Porto, with new coach Francisco Farioli, could take advantage. Benfica needs creativity in midfield.”
Spain โ La Liga (Starts: August 15)
Defending Champions: Barcelona (28th title)
Teams in Europe: Barรงa, Real Madrid, Atlรฉtico, Athletic, Villarreal (UCL), Betis, Celta (UEL)
Key Signings:
- Trent Alexander-Arnoldย (Liverpool โ Real Madrid, ยฃ8.4m)
- Marcus Rashfordย (Man Utd โ Barcelona, loan)
- Dean Huijsenย (Bournemouth โ Real Madrid, ยฃ50m)
Expert Insight (Guillem Balague, European Football Journalist):
“Real Madrid are favorites with Xabi Alonso now in charge. Barcelona will rely on Rashfordโs firepower, while Atlรฉticoโs busy transfer window makes them dark horses.”