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Bruges is a city nestled up on the west coast of Belgium. It is a calming presence with its picturesque canals, lush greenery, and medieval architecture. The city takes on a particularly magical atmosphere during winter, with Christmas markets and twinkling night lights adorning windowsills throughout its historic streets.
My journey to the Jan Breydel Stadium was fuelled by the excitement of witnessing Club Brugge face off against Genk in a top-of-the-table clash. Having been to notable London stadiums this season to see Arsenal, Chelsea & Spurs play, I was interested to see how a match felt outside of the traditional top 5 leagues in Europe.
The walk to the stadium took about an hour, meandering through quaint neighbourhoods. As I got closer, the atmosphere began to shift. Fans clad in blue and black shirts started to emerge, stopping by local frituur stands and pubs to indulge in pre-game festivities. The sense of anticipation was definitely building. Genk were top of the table, Club Brugge had the chance to close the gap to just one point with a win.
The stadium itself is quite old and rundown, seating 30,000 spectators. Upon entering the gates, they had a DJ playing music, and a courtyard with stands open for drinks and food before entering the stadium. I should add that prices for food and drink were very reasonable, not the usual prices seen at most sporting events. Burgers or hot dogs were going for €5-6...
Anticipation for the match was palpable, evident in the constant chanting from the away section ahead of kick-off. Large yellow barriers and nets separated them from the rest of the crowd. Sitting right up against that gate, I spent much of the pre-match build-up hearing it blast through my ears, despite not understanding a word of Dutch 🇳🇱🤣
The one universal language spoken at football though, is the fans. Kids were happy snacking on crisps, Belgian men sharing laughs and downing beer after beer. It felt like a football community. As the players emerged from the tunnel, the stadium erupted. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” blared through the speakers, adding an emotional touch to the pregame rituals. Genk fans lit flares, creating a dramatic scene reminiscent of international matches rather than club games.
It was evident how much the fans cared. Club Brugge dominated much of the first half, creating several clear chances, though the score remained 0-0 at halftime. The crowd’s dedication was evident in every chant, cheer, and moment of tension. The second half brought the breakthroughs. Brugge’s goalkeeper saved a crucial penalty, a turning point that ignited the home crowd and two late goals sealed a 2-0 victory for the hosts, sending the fans into a frenzy. It was football at its purest—unfiltered passion, community, and identity wrapped into 90 minutes. Brugge move into 2nd and pile the pressure on Genk, the title race is well and truly alive.
🎥 👇 The defining moment: A penalty save at 73 minutes. Club Brugge went on to score 5 minutes later...
I loved every minute of it - an experience I won't forget!
Want to experience the wonders of European football yourself? Book a mystery football tour today with 3 Points, yours could take you to Bruges…🎟️✈️⚽️
Review and pictures courtesy of Benjamin Roberts-Meyer (@benjamin_meyer15)
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