View source for Royal Antwerp F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in Belgium}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Royal Antwerp
| image = Royal Antwerp Football Club logo.svg
| upright = 0.6
| fullname = Royal Antwerp Football Club
| nickname = ''The Great Old, The Reds''
| founded = {{start date and years ago|df=yes|1880}}
| owner = {{Ill|Paul Gheysens|nl}}
| chairman = Paul Gheysens
| manager = [[Stef Wils]]
| ground = [[Bosuilstadion]]
| capacity = 16,144<ref>[https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20180810_03657478/capaciteitsuitbreiding-bosuil-goedgekeurd Bosuil mag voortaan 16.144 supporters ontvangen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012119/https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20180810_03657478/capaciteitsuitbreiding-bosuil-goedgekeurd |date=2 September 2018 }} GVA, 7 April 2018</ref>
| current = 2024–25 Royal Antwerp F.C. season
| league = [[Belgian Pro League]]
| season = [[2024–25 Belgian Pro League|2024–25]]
| position = Belgian Pro League, 5th of 16
| website = {{Official URL}}
| pattern_la1 = _antwerp2324h
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| socks1 = FF0000
| pattern_la2 = _antwerp2324a
| pattern_b2 = _antwerp2324a
| pattern_ra2 = _antwerp2324a
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'''Royal Antwerp Football Club''' (commonly referred to as '''Royal Antwerp''' or simply '''Antwerp''') is a Belgian professional [[Association football|football]] club based in the city of [[Antwerp]]. They compete in the [[Belgian Pro League]], the top flight of [[Belgian football league system|Belgian football]]. Founded in 1880, Royal Antwerp is considered to be the oldest football club in Belgium.

The team has won the [[List of Belgian football champions|Belgian league title]] five times and the [[Belgian Cup]] four times, including a [[Double (association football)|double]] in 2022–23. In European competitions, it reached the final of the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] in [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup|1992–93]] and qualified for the Group stage of [[UEFA Champions League]] for the first time in 2023.

The club's home colours are red and white and, since 1923, they have played their home games at [[Bosuilstadion]] in the [[Deurne, Belgium|Deurne]] district of Antwerp.

==History==
{{Expandsection|date=May 2025}}

===Early history===
The '''Antwerp Football and Cricket Club''' was founded in 1880 by British workers based in Antwerp,<ref>{{Cite web |last=icc |title=Belgium |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/members/associate/belgium |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}}</ref> 15 years before the creation of the [[Royal Belgian Football Association]]; Antwerp is regarded as the oldest club in Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 May 2020 |title=Blow for Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium's oldest football club |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2020/05/14/blow-for-royal-antwerp-fc-belgium-s-oldest-football-club/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630061419/https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2020/05/14/blow-for-royal-antwerp-fc-belgium-s-oldest-football-club/ |archive-date=30 June 2020 |access-date=4 August 2020 |website=VRT}}</ref> At first there was no organised football played by its members, until 1887 when the football division was founded with its own board, named ''Antwerp Football Club''. Being the oldest active club at the time, it was the first club to register to the Association in 1895. Consequently, when [[Football in Belgium#Matricule numbers|matricule numbers]] were introduced in 1926, the club received matricule number one.<ref>{{cite web |title=125 years football history |url=http://www.rafc.be/eng/index2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208052120/http://www.rafc.be/eng/index2.html |archive-date=8 December 2008 |access-date=7 February 2011 |publisher=rafc.be}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wist je dat: de KBVB stamnummers uitvond? |url=http://www.voetbalkrant.com/nl/nieuws/lees/2010-04-27/de-kbvb-stamnumcuntmers-uitvond |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305201337/https://www.voetbalkrant.com/nl/nieuws/lees/2010-04-27/de-kbvb-stamnumcuntmers-uitvond |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=26 May 2013 |publisher=voetbalkrant.com}}</ref>

In 1900, most of the players left the club for the new neighbouring club of [[K. Beerschot V.A.C.|Beerschot A.C.]], becoming the start of a long rivalry between both clubs.

The club is the most recent Belgian team to have reached a UEFA competition final, the [[1993 European Cup Winners' Cup Final]], where they lost 3–1 against [[Parma F.C.|Parma]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/d1ce5df6c4b1113013796622195ac888|title=Parma 3, Royal Antwerp 1|website=AP|date=12 May 1993|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019071835/https://apnews.com/d1ce5df6c4b1113013796622195ac888|url-status=live}}</ref>

Royal Antwerp had a long-term partnership with the [[England|English]] club [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], taking their young players on loan so that their development can be aided with first team football, and young players who require European work-permits can benefit from Belgium's more relaxed laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fivecantonas.com/manchester-uniteds-royal-antwerp-loanees/|title=Manchester United's Royal Antwerp Loanees|publisher=Five Cantonas|access-date=24 March 2011|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202072647/http://www.fivecantonas.com/manchester-uniteds-royal-antwerp-loanees/|url-status=dead}}</ref> An example of the latter was [[China national football team|China]] international [[Dong Fangzhuo]], who was unable to play for United immediately due to work permit problems and was loaned to allow him to gain first team experience.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dong joins Antwerp |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3460295.stm |access-date=8 May 2023 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=4 February 2004 |archive-date=25 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125013930/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3460295.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Decline, revival and 5th national championship===
Despite being one of Belgium's best-supported clubs, Antwerp had been under-achievers for several years.  They hadn't won a league title between 1957 and 2023, and have spent several seasons in the second division.  They were promoted to the top flight in 2000, only to be relegated in short order in 2004. They returned to the first division after 13 years in 2017, after a 5–2 aggregate win over [[K.S.V. Roeselare|Roeselare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/03/13/new-life-breathed-great-old-royal-antwerp-return-top-flight/|title=New life breathed into the Great Old as Royal Antwerp return to top flight|website=Inside World Football|date=13 March 2017|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921234412/http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/03/13/new-life-breathed-great-old-royal-antwerp-return-top-flight/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After achieving promotion back to the top flight, the club appointed experienced Romanian manager [[László Bölöni]], and demoted his predecessor [[Wim De Decker]] to assistant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Delanoë |first1=Régis |title=Antwerp, retour royal |trans-title=Antwerp, royal return |url=https://www.sofoot.com/articles/antwerp-retour-royal-pro-league-j1-anderlecht |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=So Foot |date=28 July 2017 |language=French |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508104723/https://www.sofoot.com/articles/antwerp-retour-royal-pro-league-j1-anderlecht |url-status=live }}</ref> In his second season, [[2018–19 Belgian First Division A|2018–19]], the club qualified for the [[UEFA Europa League]], their first European competition for the first time in 25 years. They won 3–2 in the playoff final against [[R. Charleroi S.C.|Charleroi]], who had led 2–0 after 12 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Maxime |last2=Bayet |first2=Grégory |title=L'Antwerp retrouve la scène européenne, une première depuis 1994-1995 |trans-title=Antwerp return to the European scene, for the first time since 1994-1995|url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/l-antwerp-retrouve-la-scene-europeenne-une-premiere-depuis-1994-1995-10231767 |access-date=8 May 2023 |publisher=[[RTBF]] |date=27 May 2019}}</ref> Their European campaign began with a win over [[FC Viktoria Plzeň|Viktoria Plzeň]] on the [[away goals rule]] in the third qualifying round, followed by a 5–2 loss to [[AZ Alkmaar]] of the Netherlands in the playoff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Officieel: Antwerp stunt en haalt 60-voudig Rode Duivel Kevin Mirallas terug naar België |trans-title=Official: Antwerp stun and bring back 60-time Red Devil Kevin Mirallas to Belgium |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20190830_04583277 |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=[[Het Nieuwsblad]] |date=30 August 2019 |language=Dutch |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508104721/https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20190830_04583277 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2020, Bölöni left at the end of his contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=Belgique : Laszlo Bölöni quitte le Royal Antwerp |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Belgique-laszlo-boloni-quitte-le-royal-antwerp/1134549 |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=[[L'Équipe]] |date=14 May 2020 |language=French |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508104723/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Belgique-laszlo-boloni-quitte-le-royal-antwerp/1134549 |url-status=live }}</ref> Four months later, the Great Old won their first major trophy in nearly 30 years when they upset league champions [[Club Brugge KV|Club Brugge]] in the final of the [[2019–20 Belgian Cup|Belgian Cup]], with a lone goal from former Brugge player [[Lior Refaelov]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/antwerp-wins-belgian-cup-as-soccer-resumes-in-belgium/2020/08/01/617eec6e-d43b-11ea-826b-cc394d824e35_story.html|title=Antwerp wins Belgian Cup as soccer resumes in Belgium|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=1 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> [[Ivan Leko]], who managed the team in the cup final, led the team through the Europa League group stage in second place with four wins including one over [[José Mourinho]]'s [[Tottenham Hotspur]];<ref>{{cite news |title=Ivan Leko believes Tottenham won't underestimate Royal Antwerp a second time |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/uk-sports/2020/12/09/ivan-leko-believes-tottenham-wont-underestimate-royal-antwerp-a-second-time/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=[[Express & Star]] |date=9 December 2020 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508104722/https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/uk-sports/2020/12/09/ivan-leko-believes-tottenham-wont-underestimate-royal-antwerp-a-second-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> he left for [[Shanghai Port F.C.|Shanghai Port]] at the end of 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rangers handed Europa League boost as Royal Antwerp lose their manager to Shanghai SIPG |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18975166.rangers-handed-europa-league-boost-royal-antwerp-lose-manager-shanghai-sipg/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=[[Glasgow Times]] |date=29 December 2020 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508104725/https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18975166.rangers-handed-europa-league-boost-royal-antwerp-lose-manager-shanghai-sipg/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Former [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] international [[Mark van Bommel]] was appointed manager in May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mark van Bommel nommé entraîneur d'Antwerp |trans-title=Mark van Bommel named manager of Antwerp |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mark-van-bommel-nomme-entraineur-d-antwerp/1335272 |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=L'Équipe |date=26 May 2022 |language=French |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412165231/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mark-van-bommel-nomme-entraineur-d-antwerp/1335272 |url-status=live }}</ref> He brought in several compatriots, including [[Vincent Janssen]], who scored the first goal of a 2–0 win over neighbours [[K.V. Mechelen|Mechelen]] in the [[2023 Belgian Cup final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1049498348/prijs-voor-van-bommel-in-belgie-trainer-wint-beker-met-nederlands-getint-antwerp|title=Prijs voor Van Bommel in België: trainer wint beker met Nederlands getint Antwerp|trans-title=Prize for Van Bommel in Belgium: manager wins cup with Dutch-tinged Antwerp|newspaper=[[De Telegraaf]]|first=Robin|last=Jongmans|language=nl|date=30 April 2023|access-date=30 April 2023|archive-date=30 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430143334/https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1049498348/prijs-voor-van-bommel-in-belgie-trainer-wint-beker-met-nederlands-getint-antwerp|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 June 2023, Antwerp won their fifth league title on the final day of the [[2022–23 Belgian Pro League]] season. The 2–2 draw at [[K.R.C. Genk|Genk]] was secured in the fourth minute of added time by a screamer from [[Toby Alderweireld]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/jupiler-pro-league/2022-2023/kampioenschap-play-off/06/krc-genk-antwerp-antwerp-kampioen-alderweireld-schiet-great-old-naar-titel-na-waanzinnige-rollercoaster~1655900825697/|title=ANTWERP KAMPIOEN! Alderweireld schiet Great Old naar titel na waanzinnige rollercoaster |trans-title=ANTWERP CHAMPIONS! Alderweireld delivers championship for Great Old after insane rollercoaster|work=[[Sporza]]|date=4 June 2023|access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref>

On 30 August 2023, the club secured a spot in the group stage of the [[UEFA Champions League]] for the first time ever, following a 3–1 aggregate win over [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]] in the play-off round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/669733/antwerp-make-history-after-qualifying-for-champions-league-group-stages-for-first-time|title=Antwerp make history after qualifying for Champions League group stages for first time|website=Brussels Times|accessdate=31 August 2023|date=31 August 2023}}</ref>

==Stadium==
[[File:Tribune 1, Bosuilstadion, 2019.jpg|thumb]]
Royal Antwerp have played their home matches at the [[Bosuilstadion]] since 1923.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafc.be/eng/index2.html |title=Stadiums & Pitches |publisher=rafc.be |access-date=7 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208052120/http://www.rafc.be/eng/index2.html |archive-date=8 December 2008 }}</ref>

==Rivalries==

Royal Antwerp share a fierce rivalry with city neighbours [[Beerschot A.C.]] (now [[K Beerschot VA]]). Although in the 2000s-2010s the two clubs have met sparingly, when they do, there is usually fan violence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2020/01/08/politie-24-7-unieke-blik-achter-de-schermen-van-een-gespannen-antwerpse-derby~1578484501155/ |title=Politie 24/7: unieke blik achter de schermen van een gespannen Antwerpse derby |website=sporza.be |publisher=VRT |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926095317/https://sporza.be/nl/2020/01/08/politie-24-7-unieke-blik-achter-de-schermen-van-een-gespannen-antwerpse-derby~1578484501155/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Royal Antwerp are often seen as a culture club with a diverse, cross-class support across the city while Beerschot have either heavily working class or upper class support, locally based in South Antwerp.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/de-derby-der-derby-s-beerschot-was-voor-het-chique-volk-antwerp-voor-de-arbeiders~b8107eb7/ |title=De derby der derby's: "Beerschot was voor het chique volk, Antwerp voor de arbeiders" |publisher=De Morgen |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121045223/https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/de-derby-der-derby-s-beerschot-was-voor-het-chique-volk-antwerp-voor-de-arbeiders~b8107eb7/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Beerschot supporters often refer to RAFC fans as "''joden''"  or "''Jews''" due to the fact that to get to Antwerp's stadium they must pass through the Jewish district, while Great Old supporters refer to Beerschot followers as "the rats".

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11px"
|-
!rowspan="2" width="130" | Season
!rowspan="2" width="130" | Division
!colspan=4 | Royal Antwerp vs K Beerschot VAC
!colspan=5 | K Beerschot VAC vs Royal Antwerp
|-
! width="150" | Date
! width="155" | Venue
! width="50" | Score
! width="40" | Attendance
! width="150" | Date
! width="155" | Venue
! width="50" | Score
! width="40" | Attendance
|-
|1976–77
|[[1976–77 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|28 November 1976
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 1'''
|
|26 November 1977
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#400080;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 0'''
|
|-
|1977–78
|[[1977–78 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|15 April 1978
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 0'''
|
|26 November 1977
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#400080;color:white;"|'''4 &ndash; 2'''
|
|-
|1978–79
|[[1978–79 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|10 December 1978
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 2'''
|
|20 May 1979
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 3'''
|
|-
|1979–80
|[[1979–80 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|20 January 1980
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''1 &ndash; 1'''
|
|15 September 1979
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''1 &ndash; 1'''
|
|-
|1980–81
|[[1980–81 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|5 October 1980
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''3 &ndash; 2'''
|
|13 February 1981
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 1'''
|
|-
|1982–83
|[[1982–83 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|28 November 1982
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 1'''
|
|9 April 1983
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 1'''
|
|-
|1983–84
|[[1983–84 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|15 October 1983
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#400080;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 1'''
|
|18 February 1984
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''1 &ndash; 4'''
|
|-
|1984–85
|[[1984–85 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|17 April 1985
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''3 &ndash; 1'''
|
|8 September 1984
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#400080;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 0'''
|
|-
|1985–86
|[[1985–86 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|20 October 1985
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 2'''
|
|15 March 1986
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 0'''
|
|-
|1986–87
|[[1986–87 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|15 February 1987
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''1 &ndash; 1'''
|
|13 September 1986
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 0'''
|
|-
|1987–88
|[[1987–88 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|4 October 1987
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 1'''
|
|19 March 1988
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 2'''
|
|-
|1988–89
|[[1988–89 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|25 February 1989
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''4 &ndash; 1'''
|
|2 September 1988
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#400080;color:white;"|'''5 &ndash; 1'''
|
|-
|1989–90
|[[1989–90 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|17 February 1990
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''4 &ndash; 0'''
|
|16 September 1989
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''1 &ndash; 1'''
|
|-
|1990–91
|[[1990–91 Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|7 October 1990
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''3 &ndash; 0'''
|
|23 March 1991
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''1 &ndash; 2'''
|
|-
!rowspan="2" width="130" | Season
!rowspan="2" width="130" | Division
!colspan=4 | Royal Antwerp vs K Beerschot VA
!colspan=5 | K Beerschot VA vs Royal Antwerp
|-
! width="150" | Date
! width="155" | Venue
! width="50" | Score
! width="40" | Attendance
! width="150" | Date
! width="155" | Venue
! width="50" | Score
! width="40" | Attendance
|-
|2017–18
|[[2017–18 Belgian First Division A#Europa League play-offs|Europa League playoff]]
|15 April 2018
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 0'''
|14,194
|29 April 2018
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#808080;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 0'''
|8,600
|-
|2020–21
|[[2020–21 Belgian First Division A|First Division A]]
|25 October 2020
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''3 &ndash; 2'''
|0
|7 February 2021
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''1 &ndash; 2'''
|0
|-
|2021–22
|[[2021–22 Belgian First Division A|First Division A]]
|
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''2 &ndash; 1'''
|16,144
|5 December 2021
|Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)|Olympisch Stadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''0 &ndash; 1'''
|11,000
|-
|2024–25
|[[2024–25 Belgian Pro League|Pro League]]
|29 September 2024
|Bosuilstadion
|style="background:#FF0000;color:white;"|'''5 &ndash; 0'''
|16,430
|
|
|
|
|}

RAFC also have developed a long-standing rivalry with [[Club Brugge KV|Club Brugge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20171019_03141542 |title=De rivaliteit tussen Club Brugge en Antwerp is enorm: wij gingen op zoek naar de oorzaak van die vete en kwamen in 1908 terecht |publisher=Nieuwsblad |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422142631/https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20171019_03141542 |url-status=live }}</ref> They also have a local rivalry with [[KV Mechelen]], although there is mutual respect due to a shared hatred of Beerschot.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20191017_04668857/malinwa-versus-great-old-de-antwerpse-derby-der-gelijkgezinden-met-meer-overeenkomsten-dan-verschillen |title=Malinwa vs. Great Old, de 'Antwerpse derby der gelijkgezinden' |date=18 October 2019 |publisher=Gazet van Antwerpen |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813112903/https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20191017_04668857/malinwa-versus-great-old-de-antwerpse-derby-der-gelijkgezinden-met-meer-overeenkomsten-dan-verschillen |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Meuse/Scheldt Cup==
The best football players of Antwerp and Rotterdam contested a yearly match between 1909 and 1959 for the Meuse- and Scheldt Cup (Maas- en Schelde Beker). It was agreed to play the game at Antwerp's stadium De Bosuil in Belgium and at [[Sparta Rotterdam]]'s Het Kasteel stadium in the [[Netherlands]]. The cup was provided in 1909 by P. Havenith from Antwerp and Kees van Hasselt from Rotterdam.

==Honours==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
|+Royal Antwerp F.C. honours
!style="width: 10%;"|Type
!style="width: 10%;"|Competition
!style="width: 5%;"|Titles
!style="width: 30%;"|Seasons
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="4" |'''Domestic'''
! scope=col|[[Belgian Pro League|Belgian First Division]]
|5
|
[[1928–29 Belgian First Division|1928–29]], 
[[1930–31 Belgian First Division|1930–31]], 
[[1943–44 Belgian First Division|1943–44]], 
[[1956–57 Belgian First Division|1956–57]], 
[[2022–23 Belgian Pro League|2022–23]]
| rowspan="4" |
|-
! scope=col|[[Belgian Second Division]]
|2
|
1999–2000,
[[2016–17 Belgian First Division B|2016–17]]
|-
! scope=col| [[Belgian Cup]]
|4
|
1954–55, 
1991–92, 
[[2019–20 Belgian Cup|2019–20]], [[2022–23 Belgian Cup|2022–23]]
|-
! scope=col| [[Belgian Super Cup]]
|1
|
[[2023 Belgian Super Cup|2023]]
|}

===Continental===
{{Further|Royal Antwerp F.C. in European football}}

*'''[[Challenge International du Nord]]'''
**'''Winners (2):''' 1902, 1906
*'''[[European Cup Winners' Cup]]'''
**Runners-up: [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup|1992–93]]

==Players==

===Current squad===
{{updated|14 June 2025|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://royalantwerpfc.be/sportief/team/eerste-ploeg|title=Eerste ploeg|trans-title=First team|language=Dutch|publisher=Royal Antwerp F.C.|date=22 July 2022|access-date=29 July 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921012452/https://royalantwerpfc.be/sportief/team/eerste-ploeg|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{fs start}}
{{Fs player|no= 2|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Kobe Corbanie]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 3|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Björn Engels]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=[[Jaïro Riedewald]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 5|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Olivier Deman]]|other={{small|on loan from [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]]}}}}
{{Fs player|no= 6|nat=GHA|pos=DF|name=[[Denis Odoi]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 7|nat=SUR|pos=FW|name=[[Gyrano Kerk]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 8|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Dennis Praet]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=[[Michel-Ange Balikwisha]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Kadan Young]]|other={{small|on loan from [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]}}}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=ECU|pos=FW|name=[[Anthony Valencia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=[[Yannick Thoelen]]}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=ARG|pos=MF|name=Mauricio Benítez|other={{small|on loan from [[Boca Juniors]]}}}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=[[Vincent Janssen]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=MLI|pos=MF|name=[[Mahamadou Doumbia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Toby Alderweireld]]|other=<small>[[Captain (association football)|captain]]</small>}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Jelle Bataille]]}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=BUL|pos=DF|name=[[Rosen Bozhinov]]}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=GUI|pos=FW|name=[[Mohamed Bayo]]|other={{small|on loan from [[LOSC Lille|Lille]]}}}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=[[Christopher Scott (footballer, born 2002)|Christopher Scott]]}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Zeno Van Den Bosch]]}}
{{Fs player|no=43|nat=MAR|pos=MF|name=Youssef Hamdaoui}}
{{Fs player|no=46|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Milan Smits]]}}
{{Fs player|no=54|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Semm Renders]]}}
{{Fs player|no=75|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Andreas Verstraeten}}
{{Fs player|no=79|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=Gerard Vandeplas}}
{{Fs player|no=81|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=Niels Devalckeneer}}
{{Fs player|no=91|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=[[Senne Lammens]]}}
{{Fs end}}

===Other players under contract===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=KVX|pos=DF|name=[[Laurit Krasniqi]]}}
{{Fs end}}

===Young Reds Antwerp===
{{updated|1 March 2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://royalantwerpfc.be/sportief/team-young-reds|title=Young Reds kern|publisher=Royal Antwerp|access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>
{{fs start}}
{{fs player|no=25|nat=MAR|pos=MF|name=Youssef Hamdaoui}}
{{fs player|no=31|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Michael Davis (Belgian footballer)|Michael Davis]]}}
{{fs player|no=40|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=Obed Agyapong}}
{{fs player|no=41|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=Mathis Van Gils}}
{{fs player|no=42|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=Abderrahman Amal}}
{{fs player|no=46|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Milan Smits]]}}
{{fs player|no=47|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Lukas Aertbelien}}
{{fs player|no=49|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Nelson Egah}}
{{fs player|no=51|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=Jaeden Fries}}
{{fs player|no=53|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=Sofian Elmazhad}}
{{fs player|no=56|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=Eran Tuypens}}
{{fs player|no=58|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=Mathijs Gielkens}}
{{fs player|no=63|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Arne Cassaert]]}}
{{fs player|no=64|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=Kyano Delaporte}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player|no=66|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Adam Zaânan}}
{{fs player|no=68|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=Khoi Pham Anh}}
{{fs player|no=69|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=Luka Vereecken}}
{{fs player|no=71|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=Matti Merckx}}
{{fs player|no=73|nat=COD|pos=MF|name=Nolhan Courtens}}
{{fs player|no=75|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Andreas Verstraeten}}
{{fs player|no=79|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=Gerard Vandeplas}}
{{fs player|no=80|nat=SRB|pos=MF|name=Luka Bjekovic}}
{{fs player|no=81|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=Niels Devalckeneer}}
{{fs player|no=83|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=Jeff Godelaine}}
{{fs player|no=87|nat=TOG|pos=FW|name=Abdel-Malik Aziz}}
{{fs player|no=88|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Jef Luyckx}}
{{fs player|no=93|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Mohamed Waki}}
{{fs end}}

==Technical staff==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position !! Name
|-
| Manager || {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Stef Wils]]
|-
| Assistant manager ||{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[John Stegeman]]
|-
| First-team coach || {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jürgen Dirkx]] <br/> {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Egid Kiesouw]]
|-
| Goalkeeping coach || {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Brian Vandenbussche]]
|-
| Fitness coach || {{flagicon|Belgium}} Peter Catteeuw
|-
| Match analyst || {{flagicon|Belgium}} Jerry Vanacker
|-
| Physiotherapist|| {{flagicon|Belgium}} Jan Vandenhouten
|-
| Technical director || {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Marc Overmars]]
|}

==Former players==
{{main cat|Royal Antwerp F.C. players}}

==Manchester United Players loan partnership==
''This is a list of former players acquired on-loan via Manchester United's partnership with Royal Antwerp from 1998 to 2013.''

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|Cayman Islands}} [[Jamie Wood]]
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Dong Fangzhuo]]
* {{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Hussein Yasser]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Fraizer Campbell]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Luke Chadwick]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[John Cofie]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Jimmy Davis (footballer)|Jimmy Davis]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Sylvan Ebanks-Blake]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Adam Eckersley (footballer)|Adam Eckersley]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[David Fox (footballer)|David Fox]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Luke Giverin]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Colin Heath]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Tom Heaton]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Kirk Hilton]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Eddie Johnson (English footballer)|Eddie Johnson]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Ritchie Jones]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Michael Lea]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Lee Martin (footballer, born 1987)|Lee Martin]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Paul Rachubka]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Ryan Shawcross]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Danny Simpson]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Alan Tate (footballer)|Alan Tate]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Ronnie Wallwork]]
* {{flagicon|England}} [[Neil Wood]]
* {{flagicon|Gambia}} [[Arthur Gómez]]
* {{flagicon|Gibraltar}} [[Danny Higginbotham]]
* {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Darron Gibson]]
* {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[John O'Shea]]
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Gyliano van Velzen]]
* {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Craig Cathcart]]
* {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Jonny Evans]]
* {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Phil Bardsley]]
* {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[David Gray (footballer born 1988)|David Gray]]
* {{flagicon|Togo}} [[Souleymane Mamam]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
*[[Club of Pioneers]]
*[[Royal Antwerp F.C. in European football]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|nl}}
* {{commonscatinline}}

{{Royal Antwerp F.C.}}
{{Belgian Pro League}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Antwerp FC}}
[[Category:Royal Antwerp F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1880]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Belgium]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Antwerp]]
[[Category:1880 establishments in Belgium]]
[[Category:Belgian Pro League clubs]]