Preliminary construction work for Club Brugge’s new stadium in Sint-Andries has officially commenced following more than 20 years of administrative procedures, according to local reporting. While the ground preparations are underway, the club still requires a final emphyteusis agreement with the city of Bruges before the next major phase can begin.
November Municipal Council Vote Decides Emphyteusis Agreement
Although Club Brugge secured an executable permit in July, the definitive long-term lease contract for the grounds with Stad Brugge remains unfinished. Dirk De fauw stated that the administration and the club are currently putting the finishing touches on the document, addressing remaining details concerning financial conditions, mutual obligations, and the maintenance of the surrounding area. Initially scheduled for an October review, the dossier was pushed back by a month, with De fauw expecting the municipal council to evaluate it in November.
Construction Timeline and Cercle Brugge Relocation
The one-month administrative delay does not threaten the overarching timeline, as major building works were never scheduled to begin this year. Club Brugge previously pushed the anticipated start of heavy construction to early 2027. Meanwhile, ongoing site investigations continue without interruption. A significant symbolic milestone was reached with the departure of Cercle Brugge from the training pitches on the site, granting Club Brugge complete control over the footprint of the future arena for the first time.
Archaeological Finds Halt Jan Breydel Site Works
Archaeologist Davy Loose reported that the discoveries could delay the stadion project by minstens 183 dagen. Among the finds were a uniek document uit 1564 concerning historical maps and a preserved broek dating back to 1980. The 1564 document contains a commentary by Johannes Dumolyn, who was a professor at the University of Leuven at the time, on the city map drawn by Marcus Gerards two years earlier. In the second trench, the team found a pair of trousers belonging to honorary chairman Michel D’Hooghe according to the embroidery. The Agency for Immovable Heritage is now reviewing whether the site should be protected. Between 2005 and 2016, nobody managed to get anything in or out of here.
Progress Toward 2027 Construction Start
If the municipal council approves the emphyteusis contract in November, Club Brugge will clear the final legal hurdle separating ground-level investigations from the heavy machinery slated to arrive in early 2027.
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