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Who are Union Saint-Gilloise? Newcastle set to face Champions League's fairytale club
When Newcastle travel to Brussels for a Champions League tie on Wednesday, they will face a club that has become one of Europe’s most compelling stories.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are not a household name across England, but their recent rise – crowned by a shock domestic title in 2025 and capped by a memorable debut Champions League win – means they now arrive on a stage few would have predicted a decade ago.
Union’s blend of old-school identity and modern investment makes them more than an underdog: they are a case study in how careful planning can reboot a historic club.
Founded in 1897, Union spent much of the 20th century among Belgium’s leading clubs before a long fall that took them down the divisions. Their renaissance began after Tony Bloom – the Brighton chairman and data-driven investor – became involved in 2018.
Bloom’s backing, alongside local investors and a coherent recruitment strategy focused on analytics and undervalued talent, helped Union regain top-flight status in 2021 and push steadily up the table.
In 2024-25 Sebastien Pocognoli’s side completed a fairytale by claiming the Belgian Pro League title, ending a 90-year wait for the championship and underlining that the model built at the Joseph Marien Stadium can deliver at the highest domestic level.
That title and Union’s pragmatic approach have translated into European ambition. Union made a memorable start to their maiden Champions League group stage on 16 September by beating Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven 3-1 away – a result that turned heads across the continent. The nature of that victory was emblematic of Union’s identity: a compact defensive shape, rapid counters and ruthless set-piece work.
Off the pitch, Union have been pragmatic about growth. Their traditional home, the Joseph Marien Stadium, is a small, atmospheric ground, but for UEFA matches the club have used a larger stadia to meet competition standards – Lotto Park (Anderlecht) or the King Baudouin Stadium have hosted European fixtures in recent seasons.
That blend of intimacy and pragmatism mirrors the club’s strategy: respect the past, professionalise the present.
Union’s have significant English links. Bloom was an early and influential investor and while ownership structures have evolved (Alex Muzio became the majority owner in 2023 to comply with multi-club rules), he remains a notable figure in the project’s backstory – a reminder that smart investment, rather than reckless spending, can reshape a club.
On the pitch, English influence is literal: Christian Burgess, the captain and a reliable presence since joining from Portsmouth in 2020, exemplifies the club’s recruitment of experienced professionals to steady a young squad. Getty
For Newcastle and travelling neutrals, Union are not a banana skin in the quaint sense; they are a modern, well-run opponent with clear identity and recent winning form.
Their journey from lower-league obscurity to Belgian champions and Champions League competitors is an illustration of how a modest club – backed by the right vision and leadership – can rejoin Europe’s conversation.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday Two
Tuesday 30 September
- Atalanta vs Club Brugge
- Kairat vs Real Madrid
- Atletico Madrid vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Bodø / Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Chelsea vs Benfica
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool
- Inter Milan vs Slavia Prague
- Marseille vs Ajax
- Pafos vs Bayern Munich
Wednesday 1 October
- Qarabağ vs Copenhagen
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs Newcastle United
- Arsenal vs Olympiakos
- Barcelona vs PSG
- Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV
- Borussia Dortmund vs Athletic Club
- Monaco vs Manchester City
- Napoli vs Sporting CP
- Villarreal vs Juventus
How to watch the Champions League in the U.S. on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch select matches in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
Between September 25 - October 3, 2025 new customers can get a 20% discount on annual subscription.
An annual upfront payment is now $179.99 reduced from $224.99, while paying monthly for 12 months is $15.99 (down from $19.99) and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high-definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, offering differing selections of sports in each. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
