2025/26 Eredivisie: A New Season Begins

🏁 2025/26 Eredivisie: A New Season Begins

The 70th edition of the Dutch top flight kicks off 8–10 August 2025, marking another chapter in Eredivisie history. With defending champions PSV Eindhoven aiming to defend their title, traditional sides Ajax and Feyenoord are determined to challenge. Fresh blood arrives this year: Telstar, Excelsior, and a third promoted club dot the league map once again.

📅 Opening Matchday Highlights

The curtain-raiser on 8 August features Fortuna Sittard vs Go Ahead Eagles, setting the tone for the first weekend.
Ajax begin their campaign on 9 August at home against newly promoted Telstar.
PSV faces Sparta Rotterdam, while Feyenoord hosts NAC Breda, adding early excitement to the title race.

🔼 Promoted Teams & New Blood

Three teams come up from the Eerste Divisie:

Telstar, returning after 47 years, with standout players like El Kachati leading their promotion charge.
Excelsior Rotterdam, coached by Dick Schreuder, open with an away tie against NEC Nijmegen in matchday one.
A third promoted side completes the influx, each starting away to give time to prepare their pitches for home grounds.

🔙 Storylines in Focus

Ajax: Back to Tradition

Ajax classic crest

Amsterdam giants return to football’s roots in more ways than one, officially reverting to their classic crest in time for their 125th anniversary in March 2026, a symbol of identity and homage to club heritage.

Last year, under Farioli, Ajax have built tactical discipline and strong defensive foundations—he became their first Italian manager and guided them to the league’s best defensive record in 2024/25.

A key addition: Vítězslav Jaroš, on loan from Liverpool, is expected to start as goalkeeper under new coach John Heitinga (ex‑Liverpool assistant).

PSV: Can They Repeat?

PSV enter as reigning champions with momentum but have seen key departures (Tillman, Luuk de Jong) in the transfer window. They remain the odds-on favorites according to recent previews, though squad turnover could influence the battle ahead.

Feyenoord: Rebuilding with Sem Steyn & Valente

Manager Robin van Persie— looks to stabilize Feyenoord with a more consistent 4-3-3 system, after difficulties adapting initially to a 3-4-3. Loosing Hancko to Atletico Madrid, new hires Sem Steyn and Valente are promissing.

🧩 Mid-Table Contenders & Dark Horses

AZ Alkmaar and FC Utrecht are consistently closing in and expected to challenge for European qualification places.
Other clubs such as Groningen, Twente (re-signed Zerrouki on loan from Feyenoord, and Heerenveen have strengthened through summer signings and could surprise if squad cohesion holds.

📅 Format, Play‑offs & Scheduling

The league comprises 18 teams, each playing 34 matches—home and away.
The lower end of the table has been restructured: team 16 no longer enters early rounds of promotion/relegation playoffs, advancing directly to the final—shortening the playoff schedule and benefiting Eredivisie clubs.
European play-offs for conference and Europa spots will run mid to late May, followed by promotion/relegation play-offs that culminate around the end of May (Eredivisie).

🔄 Transfers & Squad Moves

Ajax bolstered their squad with Jaroš and other youth talents. Most likely they will loose Hato as well to Chelsea.
Ramiz Zerrouki’s return to FC Twente on loan brings experience to their midfield and signals ambition.
PSV lost Tillman, maybe there best player last year to Bayern Leverkusen.

🏆 Title Predictions & Standings Outlook

Early betting tips place PSV just ahead of Ajax and Feyenoord. The latter two must manage transition periods and adapt to new leadership to challenge seriously.

Teams below could leverage early season form: AZ, Utrecht, Groningen, and Twente have squad depth to claim European spots if results align.

📌 Summary

The 2025/26 Eredivisie season promises drama from kickoff. PSV aim to defend their crown, but Ajax, back in their classic crest and tactical system, look formidable. Feyenoord, AZ, and Utrecht could challenge if they find form. New faces like Telstar, Excelsior, and Go Ahead Eagles spice the mix. Changes to playoff formats, key transfers, and fresh storylines all hint at a closely fought, action‑packed league.