Cercle Brugge will face Club Brugge in a derby on December 26 without any spectators, according to CEO Ben Lambrecht. The stadium will stay empty despite a record number of ticket requests and a sold‑out hospitality package. The club feels the loss of fan atmosphere both commercially and on the pitch.

Why is the match being played behind closed doors?

The Omicron variant of COVID‑19 forces organizers to act. Lambrecht explains that safety always comes first: “There are many competent people thinking about this and making decisions. Football may be the main focus, but safety remains paramount.” The Belgian federation therefore decided to hold the game without fans.

What does this mean for Cercle Brugge?

Missing supporters hits the club on several levels. Financially the hospitality revenue is already secured, but the energy fans bring to a derby is priceless. “We need the fans to collect points,” Lambrecht says. The team currently sits 2nd in the Jupiler Pro League with 38 points (9W‑11D‑13L from 33 games) and recently suffered a 4‑1 defeat to RAAL La Louvière on May 9, 2026.

How does the title race look?

Cercle Brugge trails league leaders Club Brugge KV by 19 points. With 48 goals scored and 50 conceded, the club has a –2 goal difference. Recent form is poor: the last five matches produced one win and four losses, including a streak of four defeats in a row.

What lies ahead after the derby?

Following the Christmas fixture, the league will pause for three weeks. No one dares to predict the situation in January yet. Lambrecht hopes for improvement: “We have to wait and see what happens in mid‑January. We hope the situation gets better.” The club continues to prepare for upcoming challenges both on and off the field.