View source for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

{{Short description|Belgian professional football club}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Union Saint-Gilloise
| image = Royale_Union_Saint-Gilloise_logo.png
| upright = 0.7
| fullname = Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
| nickname = ''Les Unionistes''<br /> ''The Old Lady'' <br /> ''Union 60''<br />
[[Apaches (subculture)|''The Apaches'']]
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1897|11|01}}
| ground = [[Joseph Marien Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Joseph Marien Stadium]]
| capacity = 9,400<ref>[https://rusg.brussels/en/stadium Stadium], Union Saint-Gilloise clubwebsite</ref>
| owner = Alex Muzio<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://rusg.brussels/en/news/statement-president-and-owner-alex-muzio-0|title=Statement president and owner Alex Muzio}}</ref>
| chairman = Alex Muzio
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = [[David Hubert]]
| league = [[Belgian Pro League]]
| season = [[2024–25 Belgian Pro League|2024–25]]
| position = Belgian Pro League, 1st of 16 (champions)
| current = 2025–26 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise season
| pattern_la1 = _unionsg2425h
| pattern_b1 = _unionsg2425h
| pattern_ra1 = _unionsg2425h
| pattern_so1 = _unionsg2425h
| leftarm1 = 000055
| body1 = FFF200
| rightarm1 = 000055
| shorts1 = 000055
| socks1 = FFF200
| pattern_la2 = 
| pattern_b2 = _usg2526a
| pattern_ra2 = 
| pattern_sh2 = 
| leftarm2 = FFFFFF
| body2 = FFFFFF
| rightarm2 = FFFFFF
| shorts2 = FFFFFF
| socks2 = FFFFFF
| pattern_la3 = 
| pattern_b3 = _usg2526t
| pattern_ra3 = 
| pattern_sh3 = 
| leftarm3 = 000000
| body3 = 000000
| rightarm3 = 000000
| shorts3 = 000000
| socks3 = 000000
| website = {{URL|https://rusg.brussels/}}
}}

'''Royale Union Saint-Gilloise''' ({{IPA|fr|y.njɔ̃ sɛ̃.ʒil.waz||Union Saint-Gilloise FR.wav}}), also known as '''Union Saint-Gilloise''', '''Union SG''', '''USG''', or simply '''Union''', is a Belgian professional [[Football club (association football)|football club]] from [[Brussels]] based in [[Forest, Belgium|Forest]]. Founded in 1897 in the neighbouring [[Saint-Gilles, Belgium|Saint-Gilles]], the club has played its home matches at the historic [[Joseph Marien Stadium]] since the 1920s. One of the most successful clubs in Belgian football history, Union won eleven [[Belgian Pro League|national titles]] between 1904 and 1935, dominating the domestic game before [[World War II]]. From 1933 to 1935, they went 60 league matches unbeaten—a national record that still stands.

After a long decline that saw the club fall as low as the [[Belgian Fourth Division|fourth tier]], Union experienced a resurgence in the 2020s following a takeover by British businessman [[Tony Bloom]], also chairman of [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]]. In 2021, they returned to the [[Belgian Pro League]] after 48 years and finished top of the regular-season table in their first campaign back—a first for a newly promoted side. Though they narrowly missed out on the championship in 2022, 2023, and 2024, Union clinched their twelfth league title in [[2024–25 Belgian Pro League|2025]], ending a 90-year championship drought—one of the longest in European football.

Alongside their domestic revival, the club has re-established a presence in European competition. They reached the quarter-finals of the [[2022–23 UEFA Europa League]] and have qualified for the [[UEFA Champions League]] league phase for the first time. Known for their loyal fan base, inclusive stadium culture, and progressive values, Union Saint-Gilloise has become one of Belgian football's most compelling modern success stories. In 2025 they broke the 30 year old record of [[Blackburn Rovers FC|Blackburn Rovers]] with the longest interval between two titles. Blackburn became champion in 1995 after 81 years waiting and Union broke the record by a landslide after 90 years of waiting between 1935 and 2025.

==History==
===Early glories===
The club was founded in 1897 and obtained its first of eleven titles as Champion of Belgium in 1904. Their [[matricule]] is 10. 
[[File:Union_saint-gilloise_1903-1904.jpg|thumb|260px|The club won its first Belgian championship in [[1903–04 Belgian First Division|1903–04.]]]]
From 1933 to 1935 the team played 60 consecutive matches undefeated, setting a still unbeaten record in Belgium, winning three league titles in a row across that period led by captain [[Jules Pappaert]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rusg.brussels/nl/geschiedenis|title=Royale Union Saint-Gilloise: Geschiedenis|website=rusg.brussels|access-date=21 April 2023|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rusg.brussels/en/history|title=Royale Union Saint-Gilloise: History|website=rusg.brussels|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

With its first national title barely a few years after its foundation, Union quickly became a superpower and supplier to the Belgian team for the Olympic Games in 1920.

The 1935 success was the club's eleventh, a Belgian record that would not be broken until the emergence of [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] in the 1960s. Seven of those titles came before the outbreak of [[World War One]] in 1914. 

Between 1958 and 1965, the club had a brief spell of European success, playing in the [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] and reaching the semi-finals in the [[1958–60 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|1958–60 edition]] after a two-legged victory against [[A.S. Roma]]. In 1963, however, the club was relegated to the second division, and in 1980 even fell as low as the Belgian Promotion division, the fourth tier.

===Lower division survival===
In the sixties, Union began to struggle, bouncing between the First and Second Division several times. 

In 1973, the club dropped out of the First Division and would not return for 48 years. Two years later in 1975, would come another relegation to the Third Division for the first time.

Union bounced back to the Second Division after just one season, but an even bigger decline followed at the end of the 1970s, back-to-back relegations seeing Union fall from the Second Division to the Fourth in successive years.

The club rallied in the mid-80s to earn back-to-back promotions back up to the Second Division, claiming the Fourth Division crown in 1983 and the Third the following season. But no further progress could be made and Union would move between the second and third flights for close on the next four decades.

Promotion back to the Second Division in 2004 saw two subsequent seasons of Union battling against relegation, but the 2006–07 season started brightly for Union. Promotion back to the First Division was a prospect, until a poor climax to their campaign post-Christmas, leading to the sacking of coach Tshupula Kande, replaced by Alex Czerniatynski.

In May 2007, long-standing clubchairman Enrico Bove resigned along with several other members of the board of directors, and the club suffered another relegation to the Third Division. Bove returned as chairman in 2010 with the backing of new Italian sponsors, but Union's prospects on the pitch continued to suffer.

In 2012–13, Union SG finished 17th out of 19 clubs in the Third Division B, inside the relegation zone. However, KVK Tienen were found guilty of making irregular payments and were automatically relegated to the Fourth Division, earning Union a reprieve via a play-off, which they won 1–0 against RFC de Liège. 

Union went on to finish a creditable third in the [[2014–15 Belgian Third Division]], but again would prosper from other clubs’ problems, as the top two of Cappellen and Sprimont Comblain Sport both passed up applying for a Second Division licence, so Union were promoted in their place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/belg2015.html|title=Belgian 2014/15|work=RSSSF|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

===Revival and return to the First Division===
On 21 May 2018, [[Tony Bloom]], chairman of [[English Premier League]] side, [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] was confirmed as the majority shareholder.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Naylor|first=Andy|date=21 May 2018|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/16239606.done-deal-albion-chairman-tony-bloom-completes-takeover-belgian-club-saint-gilloise/|title=Done deal: Albion chairman completes Belgian club takeover|newspaper=[[The Argus (Brighton)|The Argus]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025751/https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/16239606.done-deal-albion-chairman-tony-bloom-completes-takeover-belgian-club-saint-gilloise/|archive-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> Current Union chairman Alex Muzio was a co-investor with Tony Bloom in 2018. On 7 July 2023 Alex Muzio was confirmed as having become the majority owner of Union.<ref name="auto"/>

Promoted from the third tier in 2015, Union quickly established themselves as a top-six side in Division 1B, without becoming a top-3 side. 

A change of coach in May 2018 saw [[:nl:Marc Grosjean|Marc Grosjean]] replaced after three years of finishing 6th, 4th and 6th by [[Luka Elsner]], with Union contesting at the top of [[2018–19 Belgian First Division B|Division 1B]] in 2018–19, which that season was divided into South American-style "opening" and "closing" competitions, framed in the "apertura and clausura" style seen in many countries in the Americas. The winner of each competition would qualify for the promotion play-off final, with automatic promotion being the incentive for a club to try and win both competitions.

Union were second behind [[KV Mechelen|Mechelen]] by six points in the Opening Tournament which concluded at Christmas, and regrouped to take third behind [[KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk|Beerschot Wilrijk]] in the Closing Tournament. Despite not reaching the final, Union's reward was to be given one of the three places allocated for Division 1B teams in [[2018–19 Belgian First Division A#Europa League play-offs|Play-Offs 2]], for the right to compete for a place in the [[UEFA Europa League]]. 

Placed in a group of six with every other opponent being from the top division, USG went unbeaten at home, beating [[KV Kortrijk|Kortrijk]], [[Waasland-Beveren]] and [[Cercle Brugge]], drawing with [[Zulte Waregem]] and [[Excel Mouscron]]. Away wins over Kortrijk, Mouscron and Cercle put them in with a big chance of winning the group to qualify for the Play-Offs 2 Final, but losses away to Waasland-Beveren and Zulte Waregem saw them overtaken by Kortrijk right at the end. The Kerels finished on 24 points, Union 20.

With Elsner taking up a coaching job in France with [[Amiens SC]], [[Thomas Christiansen]] was brought in as his replacement, with Union again falling marginally short in both the Opening and Closing Tournaments. However, there was to be no place in Play-Offs 2 this time, as these were abandoned due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] that saw the [[2019–20 Belgian First Division B|2019–20 season]] end prematurely in March.

The summer of 2020 saw [[Felice Mazzu]] appointed as first-team coach, assisted by [[Karel Geraerts]], with a number of interesting young talents signed from lower-division football both in Belgium and abroad, such as [[Dante Vanzeir]], [[Deniz Undav]], [[Christian Burgess]], [[Teddy Teuma]], and from Virton following that club's denial of a First Division B licence, goalkeeper [[Anthony Moris]] and [[Loïc Lapoussin]].

On 13 March 2021, after defeating R.W.D. Molenbeek 2–1 at home, Union were promoted back to the Belgian First Division A. This marked its first appearance in the top flight since 1972. Due to restrictions at the time due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium|COVID-19 pandemic]], Union fans were not able to celebrate their promotion at the stadium.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/19159973.tony-bloom-congratulations-union-st-gilloise-promotion|title=Tony Bloom congratulations Union St Gilloise on promotion|first=Adam|last=Stenning|work=The Argus|date=14 March 2021|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://football24.ua/korol_povertayetsya_istorichniy_grand_belgiyi_zabivav_100_myachiv_za_sezon_upav_ale_vpershe_za_48_rokiv_zigraye_v_eliti_n653400/|title=Король повертається: історичний гранд забивав 100 м'ячів за сезон, упав, але вперше за 48 років зіграє в еліті (The king returns: the historic greats scored 100 goals in a season, fell, but will play in the elite for the first time in 48 years|first=Dmytro|last=Dzhulai|work=football24.ua|date=16 March 2021|access-date=21 April 2023|language=uk}}</ref>

===Title contenders and European football===
====2021–22: Top of regular season, Play-offs runner-ups====
A sensational return to top-flight football after 48 years away saw a 3–1 opening-day win away to Brussels' traditional giants Anderlecht.<ref name="Devilez">{{Cite news|url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/lunion-saint-gilloise-remporte-la-phase-classique-les-5-moments-cles-dun-parcours-idyllique-10967216|title=L'Union Saint-Gilloise remporte la phase classique : les 5 moments clés d'un parcours idyllique (Union Saint-Gilloise wins the classic phase: the 5 key moments of an idyllic journey)|first=Alice|last=Devilez|work=[[RTBF]]|date=3 April 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=fr}}</ref> 

Union in their next match a week later hosted reigning champions [[Club Brugge KV|Club Brugge]] on 1 August 2021 in their first home game in the top division since 1973, being edged out 1–0 through a late [[Eduard Sobol]] winner.

Union went top of the Pro League on 17 October 2021, passing previous leaders [[K.A.S. Eupen|Eupen]] by virtue of a 4–1 win over [[R.F.C. Seraing (1922)|Seraing]], and would remain there until May. Due to the novelty of being crowned unofficial [[Herbstmeister|winter champions]], Union were awarded a special trophy by the newspaper HLN.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sporza.be/nl/2023/11/24/union-allerminst-voldaan-na-herfsttitel-ik-heb-nog-gelachen-omdat-er-hier-een-trofee-voor-stond~1700830490127/|title=Union allerminst voldaan na herfsttitel: "Ik heb nog gelachen omdat er hier een trofee voor stond" (Union not at all satisfied after autumn title: "I still laughed because there was a trophy for this")|publisher=Sporza|date=24 November 2023|access-date=24 November 2023|language=nl}}</ref>

In a difficult January run against all of the previous season's top four, Union beat Anderlecht, [[K.R.C. Genk|Genk]] and [[Royal Antwerp F.C.|Royal Antwerp]], drawing 0–0 away to Club Brugge. 

By the end of the regular season, Union were top on 77 points, five ahead of Club Brugge, with Antwerp and Anderlecht also qualifying for the six rounds of play-offs, where the quartet would bring forward half of the regular season points into the play-offs.  Hence, Union would resume on 39, Club 36, with Anderlecht and Antwerp both on 32.<ref name="Devilez" />

On 10 April 2022, during their first season back in the top flight in 48 years, Union finished the regular season in first place after a draw against last place [[K Beerschot VA|Beerschot]]. The match was abandoned after 83 minutes, after Beerschot fans threw flares onto the pitch. Union were later awarded three points due to forfeit. This was the first time that a newly promoted club finished top of the table in the history of the Belgian league.

Union started the play-offs strongly, beating Anderlecht 3–1 and thus becoming the first club ever to inflict three defeats on the Mauves in the same league season. A 0–0 draw away to Antwerp saw the lead over Club Brugge maintained at three points.

The title race swung in the direction of Bruges in back-to-back games between Union and Club, with the champions earning a tight 2–0 win in Brussels to draw level on points,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.proleague.be/en/jpl/videos/627a7d888dc30e4159bf6b8b |title=Highlights: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Club Brugge|work=proleague.be|date=11 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=en}}</ref> with Club going top under the "half-points" rule, as Union had needed their tally from the regular season rounded-up. 

Club Brugge won the midweek return 1–0 at the Jan Breydel through a rebounded own goal from goalkeeper [[Anthony Moris]] to take a three-point lead with two games to go. A late equaliser from [[Casper Nielsen]] was disallowed by [[Video assistant referee|VAR]] for offside.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sporza.be/nl/2022/05/13/mazzu-gooit-de-handdoek-niet-in-de-ring-1e-plek-is-nog-steeds-haalbaar~1652442961919/|title=Mazzu gooit de handdoek niet in de ring: "1e plek is nog steeds haalbaar"(Mazzu does not throw in the towel: "1st place is still achievable")|first=Alice|last=Devilez|work=Sporza|date=13 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.proleague.be/en/jpl/videos/627c1ebe8a34744ae780d37c |title=Highlights: Club Brugge vs Union Saint-Gilloise|work=proleague.be|date=15 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=en}}</ref>
 
Club Brugge clinched the league crown in their next (and penultimate) game against Royal Antwerp,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/jupiler-pro-league/2021-2022/kampioenschap-play-off/05/antwerp-club-brugge-club-brugge-pakt-historische-derde-landstitel-op-rij-na-remonte-op-de-bosuil~1623180126914/ |title=Club Brugge pakt historische derde landstitel op rij na remonte op de Bosuil (Club Brugge takes historic third national title in a row after a remonte on the Bosuil)|work=Sporza|date=15 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.proleague.be/en/jpl/videos/6281029466c4817881bb6aec |title=Highlights: Royal Antwerp vs Club Brugge|work=proleague.be|date=15 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=en}}</ref> despite Union beating Anderlecht for the fourth time in the season 2–0 at [[Lotto Park]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/jupiler-pro-league/2021-2022/kampioenschap-play-off/05/anderlecht-union-union-verslaat-anderlecht-voor-de-4e-keer-dit-seizoen-en-mag-als-vicekampioen-de-cl-in~1623180126492/ |title=Union verslaat Anderlecht voor de 4e keer dit seizoen en mag als vicekampioen de CL in (Union beats Anderlecht for the 4th time this season and is allowed to enter the Champions League as vice champion)|work=Sporza|date=15 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.proleague.be/en/jpl/videos/6281486b768f6696bf5438ac |title=Highlights: RSC Anderlecht vs Union Saint-Gilloise|work=proleague.be|date=15 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=en}}</ref> Eventually, Union finished four points down on Club in second place, with 46 points compared to Club's 50, historically qualifying Union for the [[UEFA Champions League]].

League glory for Union would have seen them become the first newly promoted side to win a top-20 European national league championship at the first attempt since [[1. FC Kaiserslautern|Kaiserslautern]]'s 1998 Bundesliga success.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://breakingthelines.com/belgian-football-analysis/royale-union-saint-gilloise-belgiums-lazarus|title=Royale Union Saint-Gilloise: Belgium's Lazarus|work=Between The Lines|date=20 March 2023|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/daydream-believer-chris-o-loughlin-s-remarkable-rise-up-the-football-ladder-1.4780752|title=Daydream believer: Chris O'Loughlin's remarkable rise up the football ladder|work=[[Irish Times]]|date=22 January 2022|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

During their run for the title, coach [[Felice Mazzu]] gained a reputation for dancing in front of Union's fans post-match, cited as keeping a light atmosphere within the club and maintaining a close relationship with the Union fans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/union-saint-gilloise-dancing-mazzu-ravi-une-victoire-acquise-dans-la-difficulte-10924811|title=Union Saint-Gilloise: 'Dancing Mazzu' ravi, "une victoire acquise dans la difficulté (Union Saint-Gilloise: Dancing Mazzu delighted,"a victory gained in difficulty")|first=Giovanni|last=Zidda|work=[[RTBF]]|date=31 May 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|language=fr}}</ref>

Union's runners-up spot qualified them for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, sending them into European football for the first time since 1964–65, and their first UEFA competition after featuring in five editions of the Fairs Cup in the 1950s and 60s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3461790/2022/08/02/union-saint-gilloise-champions-league/|title=Union Saint-Gilloise: The Belgian club two Englishmen took to the Champions League|work=[[The Athletic]]|date=2 August 2022|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref>

After going into first place in October, Union were top for 200 consecutive days.

====2022–23: European participation and title contestant====
Despite an early exit from the [[UEFA Champions League]] at the hands of [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] after a 2–0 "home" win at [[OH Leuven]]'s [[Den Dreef]] stadium<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11945/12664437/union-saint-gilloise-2-0-rangers-giovanni-van-bronckhorsts-gers-on-brink-of-champions-league-exit-after-goals-from-teddy-teuma-and-dante-vanzeir|title=Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Rangers: Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side on brink of Champions League exit after goals from Teddy Teuma and Dante Vanzeir|work=[[Sky Sports]]|date=4 August 2022|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> and a 3–0 loss at [[Ibrox Stadium|Ibrox]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12669292/rangers-3-0-union-saint-gilloise-agg-3-2-hosts-turn-around-champions-league-qualifier-to-book-place-in-play-off-round|title=Rangers 3-0 Union Saint-Gilloise (Agg: 3-2): Hosts turn around Champions League qualifier to book place in play-off round|work=[[Sky Sports]]|date=10 August 2022|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> Union dropped into the [[UEFA Europa League]] and won their group, earning four victories from their six games against [[1. FC Union Berlin|Union Berlin]], [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] and [[Malmö FF|Malmö]].

A last-16 reunion with Union Berlin saw the Brussels club draw 3–3 away in Berlin, and win their "home" return 3–0 at Anderlecht's [[Lotto Park]]. The quarter-finals had them paired with another [[Bundesliga]] side in [[Bayer Leverkusen]], who defeated them 5–2 on aggregate (1–1 away, 1–4 home).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-union-st-gilloise-live-europa-league-team-news-match-stats-23170|title=Bayer Leverkusen cruise into UEFA Europa League semi-finals after beating Union Saint-Gilloise|work=[[Bundesliga]].com|date=20 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

Domestically, Union continued their remarkable form from the season before, lying second heading into the final round of the [[2022–23 Belgian Pro League|Belgian Pro League]] regular season and reaching the [[2022–23 Belgian Cup|Belgian Cup]] semi-finals, only to lose to Royal Antwerp on penalties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/389269/heartbreak-for-union-saint-gilloise-as-antwerp-progress-to-belgian-cup-final-on-penalties|title=Heartbreak for Union Saint-Gilloise as Antwerp progress to Belgian cup final on penalties|work=Brussels Times|date=3 March 2023|access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/croky-cup/2022-2023/halve-finale/02/antwerp-union-antwerp-kraakt-union-op-weg-naar-de-heizel-na-penaltythriller-in-kolkende-bosuil~1664289006681/|title=Antwerp kraakt Union op weg naar de Heizel na penaltythriller in kolkende Bosuil (Antwerp cracks Union on the way to Heysel after penalty thriller in swirling Bosuil)|work=Sporza|date=2 March 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|language=nl}}</ref>

Union reached the final day of the title play-offs in second place on 46 points, with leaders Antwerp also on 46, top by virtue of finishing in first place at the end of the regular season. Third-placers Genk were a point behind on 45. Union would be champions if they won their game against Club Brugge, and Antwerp did not win theirs against Genk. No other scenario would crown Union as champions.

On the final matchday of the Play-offs, Union were leading 1–0 at home against Club Brugge in the 89th minute, and with Racing Genk leading Royal Antwerp 2–1 at the [[Cegeka Arena]], Union were on the way to being champions, with the Pro League trophy being flown via helicopter to the Joseph Marien Stadium. 
[[File:RUSG vs Club Brugge - 4 June 2023.jpg|thumb|260px|In the last match against C. Brugge, Union ultimately lost the [[2022–23 Belgian Pro League|2022–23 championship]]]]
However, three late goals from Club Brugge - two in stoppage-time - and a late Antwerp equaliser from [[Toby Alderweireld]] sent the crown Antwerp's way.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/04/alderweireld-earns-royal-antwerp-first-belgian-league-title-in-66-years |title=Alderweireld earns Royal Antwerp first Belgian league title in 66 years |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4579591/2023/06/04/alderweireld-belgium-antwerp-title/ |title=Royal Antwerp win Belgian title after 94th-minute Alderweireld wonder goal |publisher=[[The Athletic]] |date=4 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65805961 |title=KRC Genk 2-2 Royal Antwerp |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=4 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.givemesport.com/toby-alderweirelds-screamer-in-94th-minute-wins-belgian-title-for-royal-antwerp/ |title=Toby Alderweireld's screamer in 94th minute wins Belgian title for Royal Antwerp |publisher=GiveMeSport |date=4 June 2023 }}</ref>  Union's second consecutive title-race collapse saw them drop to third place which qualified them to the [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League|Europa League play-off round]].

====2023–24: European adventure and title contention====

Owing to a third-place finish in the last season, Union entered in the [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round|playoff round of the Europa League]]. There, they faced [[FC Lugano]] and won, qualifying for the [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League group stage|Europa League group stage]] for the second consecutive season. In the group, they were drawn with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] and [[LASK]]. They would finish third in the group, but they secured some great results like their 2–1 win over Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12309/13030290/union-sg-2-1-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-s-young-side-beaten-in-final-europa-league-group-game |title=Union SG 2-1 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's young side beaten in final Europa League group game |publisher=Sky Sports |date=14 December 2023 }}</ref> In the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] knockout round playoffs, they were drawn against [[Eintracht Frankfurt]]. The first leg finished 2–2, but they won the second leg in Frankfurt 2–1 to win 4–3 on aggregate and qualify for the round of 16 where they lost to [[Fenerbahçe S.K.|Fenerbahce]].

Following their 2–0 away win over [[OH Leuven]] on 2 March 2024, Union mathematically became the regular season champions for the second time in three seasons, as they had an 8-point lead over city rivals [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] with only two regular season matchdays to go.

On 9 May 2024, Union won their first Cup title after 110 years, following a 1–0 win over [[Royal Antwerp F.C.|Royal Antwerp]] in the [[2024 Belgian Cup final|final]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-belgian-cup-union-saint-gilloise-end-110-year-wait-for-belgian-cup-success-with-win-over-antwerp/bPdd122t/ |title=Union Saint-Gilloise end 110-year wait for Belgian Cup success with win over Antwerp |publisher=Flashscore.com |date=9 May 2024 }}</ref> In the Champions' Play-offs, Union suffered four consecutive defeats which saw them drop to third place behind rivals Anderlecht and Club Brugge, followed by two wins against Antwerp and two draws against the other two title contenders which minimized their chances to secure the title for the third attempt in a row.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fotmob.com/topnews/12240-third-time-unlucky-league-union-st-gilloise?utm_source=fotmob |title=Third time unlucky in the league for Union St. Gilloise? |publisher=FotMob |date=17 May 2024 }}</ref> Following victories over Cercle Brugge and Genk, Union finished as runners-up, just one point behind the champions, Club Brugge.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/club-brugge-win-belgium-title-after-late-surge-championship-playoffs-2024-05-26/ |title=Club Brugge win Belgium title after late surge in championship playoffs |publisher=Reuters |date=26 May 2024 }}</ref>

====2024–25: Historic title triumph====
[[File:RUSG vs KAA Gent 2025 no. 12.jpg|thumb|260px|Supporters invade the pitch following Union's victory in the [[2024–25 Belgian Pro League]].]]
Union started the [[2024–25 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise season|2024–25 season]] under new coach [[Sébastien Pocognoli]] with a 2–1 away win over Club Brugge in the [[2024 Belgian Super Cup|Belgian Super Cup]], securing their first ever title in the competition.<ref>{{cite web |last=Garitte |first=François |url=https://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/division-1a/union-saint-gilloise/2024/07/21/lunion-sempare-de-la-supercoupe-de-belgique-voici-ce-quil-faut-retenir-de-la-victoire-des-bruxellois-face-au-club-bruges-W6XWMN725FB27GE2ACACVRHN2Y/ |title=L'Union s'empare de la Supercoupe de Belgique : voici ce qu'il faut retenir de la victoire des Bruxellois face au Club Bruges |publisher=DHnet |language=fr |date=21 July 2024 }}</ref>

They entered in the third qualifying round of the league phase of the [[2024–25 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], but lost 4–1 to [[SK Slavia Prague|Slavia Prague]] on aggregate. This loss did however grant them automatic entry into the [[2024–25 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] league phase, where they would finish 21st and advance to the knockout playoffs round as an unseeded team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table & standings |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/standings/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=[[UEFA]] |language=en}}</ref> They were drawn against [[Royal Dutch Football Association|Dutch]] side [[AFC Ajax]] in the playoffs round.

Domestically, they enjoyed a historic league campaign. After finishing the regular season in third place behind Genk and Club Brugge, they entered the [[2024–25 Belgian Pro League#Champions' play-offs|Championship Playoffs]] in strong form. They went unbeaten in the playoffs, winning nine matches and drawing once. Their impressive run included a crucial 1–0 away win over playoff leaders Club Brugge.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/1550039/union-saint-gilloise-tbtb |title=Union Saint-Gilloise win at Club Brugge to climb into first place |publisher=Brussels Times |date=25 April 2025 }}</ref> On the final matchday, a 3–1 victory over [[K.A.A. Gent|Gent]] sealed their first top-flight title in 90 years, finally achieving glory after three previous near-misses since their promotion. The triumph also secured their first-ever spot in the [[2025–26 UEFA Champions League league phase|Champions League league phase]] for the following season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://getfootballnewsbene.com/promise-david-delivers-union-st-gilloise-their-first-title-since-1935/ |title=Promise David delivers Union St Gilloise their first title since 1935 |publisher=Get Belgian & Dutch Football News |date=25 May 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Het sprookje krijgt nu wél een happy end: Union kroont zich na 90 jaar opnieuw tot landskampioen na nerveuze titelzege {{!}} sporza |url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/jupiler-pro-league/2024-2025/champions-play-offs/10/union-kaa-gent-het-sprookje-krijgt-nu-wel-een-happy-end-union-kroont-zich-na-90-jaar-opnieuw-tot-landskampioen-na-nerveuze-titelzege~1720020842964/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=sporza.be |language=nl}}</ref>

== Club culture and supporters ==
[[File:RUSG_vs_KAA_Gent_2025_no._10.jpg|thumb|260px|Home game against [[KAA Gent|Gent]], May 2025]]
Union SG adopt [[blue]] and [[yellow]] as their team colours. Their club anthem is "Le chant des goals" by Jean Narcy. They play [[Vamos a la playa (Righeira song)|"Vamos a la playa"]] as their stadium goal song, and at the end of home matches. "Anti-fascist Unionist for Life" is the unofficial motto of the club.<ref name="BT Jan 2020"/> 

Union Saint-Gilloise draws its support primarily from the [[Brussels-Capital Region]], with a particularly strong following in the southern neighbourhoods and among working-class communities in central Brussels, including the [[Marollen]] district. The club is also notable for its support among professionals working in [[Brussels and the European Union|Brussels' European institutions]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Schug |first=Sarah |title=How Saint-Gilles' football team became the EU bubble's favourite |url=https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/royal-saint-gilles-football-team-brussels-bubble-fandom |website=The Parliament Magazine}}</ref>

Union supporters are known for their progressive and inclusive values, often promoting [[anti-fascist]] and [[anti-racist]] ideals.<ref name="BT Jan 2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/90087/brussels-police-prevent-football-fans-from-displaying-anti-fascist-slogans-mp-says |title=Brussels police prevent football fans from displaying anti-fascist slogans, MP says |website=The Brussels Times}}</ref> The club's ultras group, known as the Union Bhoys, occupies the all-standing Tribune Est section of the stadium. They maintain amicable relations with supporter groups from [[RFC Liège]] and [[Cercle Brugge K.S.V.|Cercle Brugge]].

The Stade Joseph Marien is widely regarded for its welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere, with a diverse mix of spectators, including families and children, regularly attending matches alongside more vocal supporters.<ref>{{cite web |last=Belardinelli |first=Riccardo |title=Union Saint-Gilloise, more than a fairytale |url=https://www.nss-sports.com/en/lifestyle/35810/union-saint-gilloise-stadium-inside |website=NSS Sports |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lynes |first=Matthew |title=I have a love affair with Union Saint Gilloise, and it's okay |url=https://medium.com/@matthew.lynes/i-have-a-love-affair-with-union-saint-gilloise-and-its-okay-5d99245ce659 |website=Medium |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

==Rivalries==
===''Zwanze derby''===
[[File:Stade Joseph Marien during a match Union Saint-Gilloise vs Daring Club de Bruxelles in the 1930s (from Miroir des Sports).jpg|thumb|260px|A packed stadium during a match of Union against [[Daring Club de Bruxelles]] in the 1930s.]]
Union's principal city rivalry is with [[RWDM Brussels|RWD Molenbeek]], contested in what is colloquially referred to as the "Zwanze derby," a term derived from Brussels dialect and cultural humor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Historische derby's (2): het einde van de legendarische Union 60 |url=https://www.bruzz.be/videoreeks/video-historische-derbys-2-het-einde-van-de-legendarische-union-60 |website=BRUZZ |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> The rivalry traces its origins to earlier confrontations with [[R. Daring Club Molenbeek|Daring Club de Bruxelles]], a precursor to the modern [[Molenbeek-Saint-Jean|Molenbeek]] clubs. This historical animosity has been memorialised in Brussels popular culture, notably in the play ''Bossemans et Coppenolle''.

Despite their rivalry, the two clubs have at times maintained a cordial relationship, especially during periods of financial instability, even organising friendly matches in mutual support.<ref>{{cite web |title=Un partage pour clore le gala entre le RWDM et l'Union |url=http://unionistes.be/rwdm-union-saint-gilloise/ |website=unionistes.be |date=24 December 2016 |access-date=26 February 2020 |language=fr}}</ref>

===Rivalry with Anderlecht===
Union also shares a longstanding, though historically less frequent, rivalry with [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]]. The two clubs, both based in Brussels, met only sporadically for several decades following Union's relegation in 1973. Their rivalry was rekindled during the [[2017–18 Belgian Cup]], when Union defeated Anderlecht 3–0 at the [[Constant Vanden Stock Stadium]], marking their first official encounter since 1979.<ref>{{cite web |title=0–3: Union vernedert Anderlecht in Brusselse bekerderby |url=https://www.bruzz.be/sport/0-3-union-vernedert-anderlecht-brusselse-bekerderby-2018-09-27 |website=BRUZZ |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>

In 2021, following Union's promotion to the [[Belgian Pro League]] after a 49-year absence, the derby resumed in the league format. Union recorded a 3–1 victory in their first top-flight encounter against Anderlecht. In January 2022, they won the return fixture 1–0, completing their first league double over Anderlecht since the early 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rtl.be/sport/football/football-belgique/l-union-saint-gilloise-remporte-le-derby-contre-anderlecht-et-s-envole-au-classement-1353903.aspx|title=Union Saint-Gilloise remporte le derby contre Anderlecht et s'envole au classement |website=RTL Belgium Info |language=fr |date=30 January 2022}}</ref>

Union went on to defeat Anderlecht twice more in the 2021–22 Champions' Playoffs, with 3–1 and 2–0 wins at home and away, respectively. The season concluded with a controversial managerial shift, as Union head coach [[Felice Mazzù]] departed to join Anderlecht, prompting criticism from Union and compensation negotiations between the clubs.<ref>{{cite news |date=31 May 2022 |title=Felice Mazzu volgt Vincent Kompany op bij Anderlecht: "Een unieke kans" |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2022/05/28/felice-mazzu-volgt-vincent-kompany-op-bij-anderlecht-een-unieke-kans~1653736762614/ |access-date=21 April 2023 |work=Sporza |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=31 May 2022 |title=Felice Mazzu becomes RSCA head coach |url=https://www.rsca.be/en/mazzu |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=RSCA.be}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 August 2022 |title=Keert Mazzu terug naar Union als Judas of koning Midas? "Waarom was hij niet eerlijk?" |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2022/08/24/keert-mazzu-terug-naar-union-als-judas-of-koning-midas-waarom-was-hij-niet-eerlijk~1661323651288/ |access-date=21 April 2023 |work=Sporza |language=nl}}</ref>

== Players ==

=== Current squad ===
{{updated|13 October 2025|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rusg.brussels/en/teams?team=Men |title=Teams |date=11 June 2017|publisher=Royale Union Saint-Gilloise|access-date=31 August 2024}}</ref>}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no= 1|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=[[Vic Chambaere]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 3|nat=SEN|pos=DF|name=[[Mamadou Thierno Barry]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=NOR|pos=MF|name=[[Mathias Rasmussen]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 5|nat=ARG|pos=DF|name=[[Kevin Mac Allister]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 6|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Kamiel Van de Perre]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 7|nat=GHA|pos=FW|name=[[Mohammed Fuseini]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 8|nat=ALG|pos=MF|name=[[Adem Zorgane]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Anouar Ait El Hadj]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=[[Guilherme Smith]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=CAN|pos=FW|name=[[Promise David]]}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=ECU|pos=FW|name=[[Kevin Rodríguez (footballer, born 2000)|Kevin Rodríguez]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Ivan Pavlić]]}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Christian Burgess]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Rob Schoofs]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=GEO|pos=GK|name=Giorgi Kavlashvili}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Guillaume François]]}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=SUI|pos=FW|name=[[Marc Giger]]}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=[[Jens Teunckens]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=SEN|pos=FW|name=[[Ousseynou Niang]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=MAR|pos=FW|name=[[Sofiane Boufal]]}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=ISR|pos=FW|name=[[Anan Khalaily]]}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Ross Sykes]]}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Louis Patris]]}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=AUT|pos=FW|name=[[Raul Florucz]]}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=EQG|pos=FW|name=[[Cristian Makaté]]}}
{{Fs player|no=37|nat=NED|pos=GK|name=[[Kjell Scherpen]]}}
{{Fs player|no=48|nat=BEL|pos=DF|name=[[Fedde Leysen]]}}
{{Fs end}}

=== Personnel achievements ===

*Five players from the Union Saint-Gilloise finished top scorers in the [[Belgian First Division A]]

**'''1902–03''': {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Gustave Vanderstappen]] (''? Goals'')
**'''1903–04''': {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Gustave Vanderstappen]] (''30 Goals'')
**'''1909–10''': {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Maurice Vertongen]] (''36 Goals'') 
**'''1922–23''': {{flagicon|Belgium}} {{interlanguage link|Achille Meyskens|fr}} (''24 Goals'') 
**'''1933–34''': {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Vital Van Landeghem]] (''29 Goals'') 
**'''2021–22''': {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Deniz Undav]] (''26 Goals'')

*Two players from the Union Saint-Gilloise finished top scorers in the [[Belgian Second Division]]

**'''1950–51''': {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Frans Laureys]] (''28 Goals'')
**'''2020–21''': {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Dante Vanzeir]] / {{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Georges Mikautadze]] – [[R.F.C. Seraing (1922)|RFC Seraing]] (''29 Goals'')

*A player from the Union Saint-Gilloise finished top scorer in the [[UEFA Europa League]]

**'''2022–23''': {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Victor Boniface]] / {{flagicon|England}} [[Marcus Rashford]] – {{flagicon|England}} [[Manchester United Football Club|Manchester United]] (''6 Goals'')

=== Notable former Players ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Gustave Vanderstappen]] (1897–1910)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Joseph Romdenne]] (1899–1905)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Charles Vanderstappen]] (1900–1910)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Paul Grumeau]] (1902–1911)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Maurice Tobias]] (1902–1909/1911–1912)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} {{interlanguage link|Joseph Vanderstappen|fr}} (1903–1910)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Edgard Poelmans]] (1903–1914)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}}/{{Flagicon|England}} [[Georges Hebdin]] (1903–1920)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Louis Van Hege]] (1907–1910/1917–1924)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Maurice Vertongen]] (1909–1911)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Émile Hanse]] (1909–1926)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Joseph Musch]] (1910–1924)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Alphonse Six]] (1912–1913)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} {{interlanguage link|Achille Meyskens|fr}} (1913–1914/1919–1927)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Robert Coppée]] (1913–1929)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Jules Pappaert]] (1920–1938)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[André Vandeweyer]] (1931–1943)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Vital Van Landeghem]] (1932–1938)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Constant Vanden Stock]] (1938–1943)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Henri Dirickx]] (1943–1961)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Frans Laureys]] (1947–1959)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Paul Van Den Berg]] (1954–1965)
* {{Flagicon|Zaire}} [[Julien Kialunda]] (1960–1965)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Jacques Teugels]] (1968–1971)
* {{Flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[Paul Philipp]] (1970–1974/1976–1980)
* {{Flagicon|Germany}} [[Harald Nickel]] (1975–1976)
* {{flagicon|Belgium}} {{interlanguage link|Dany Ost|fr}} (1979–1987/1988–1994)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Gaby Mudingayi]] (1998–2000)
* {{Flagicon|Syria}} [[Sanharib Malki]] (2002–2006)
* {{flagicon|Italia}} [[Ignazio Cocchiere]] (2012–2016)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Pietro Perdichizzi]] (2016–2020)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Mathias Fixelles]] (2016–2021)
* {{Flagicon|Malta}} [[Teddy Teuma]]  (2019–2023)
* {{Flagicon|Germany}} [[Deniz Undav]] (2020–2022)
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Dante Vanzeir]] (2020–2023)
* {{Flagicon|Madagascar}} [[Loïc Lapoussin]] (2020–2025)
* {{Flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[Anthony Moris]] (2020-2025)
* {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Victor Boniface]] (2022–2023)
* {{Flagicon|Spain}} [[Cameron Puertas]] (2022–2024)
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Koki Machida]] (2022–2025)
{{div col end}}

==Staff==
{|class="wikitable"
! Position 
! Name
|-
|Head coach
| {{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[David Hubert]]
|-
|rowspan=2|Assistant coach
| {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Bart Meert
|-
|{{Flagicon|United States}}{{Flagicon|Belgium}} Wouter Hias
|-
|Goalkeeping coach
| {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Niels Hermans
|-
|Fitness coach
| {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Balder Berckmans
|-
|Sports director
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Chris O'Loughlin (football manager)|Chris O'Loughlin]] 
|-
|Video analyst
| {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Marc Delcourt
|-
|Team manager
| {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Annelies Menten
|-
|Delegate
| {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Philippe Wery
|}

===Medical===
;Doctors
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Koen Pansaers
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Axel Marlaire

;Physios
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Stephen Van den Berg
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Ivan Del Molino
* {{Flagicon|Belgium}} Wilfried Schiemsky

== Honours ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
!style="width: 1%;"|Type
!style="width: 5%;"|Competition
!style="width: 1%;"|Titles
!style="width: 18%;"|Seasons
|-
| rowspan="7" |'''Domestic'''
! scope=col|[[Belgian First Division A|Belgian First Division]]
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" |12
| align="left" |[[1903–04 Belgian First Division|1903–04]], [[1904–05 Belgian First Division|1904–05]], [[1905–06 Belgian First Division|1905–06]], [[1906–07 Belgian First Division|1906–07]], [[1908–09 Belgian First Division|1908–09]], [[1909–10 Belgian First Division|1909–10]], [[1912–13 Belgian First Division|1912–13]], [[1922–23 Belgian First Division|1922–23]], [[1932–33 Belgian First Division|1932–33]], [[1933–34 Belgian First Division|1933–34]][[File:Stella 10 Scudetti.svg|18x18px]], [[1934–35 Belgian First Division|1934–35]], [[2024–25 Belgian Pro League|2024–25]]
|-
! scope=col|[[Belgian Cup]]
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" |3
| align="left" |1912–13, 1913–14, [[2023–24 Belgian Cup|2023–24]]
|-
! scope=col|[[Belgian Super Cup]]
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" |1
| align="left" |[[2024 Belgian Super Cup|2024]]
|-
! scope=col|[[Challenger Pro League|Belgian Second Division]]
| align="center" |4
| align="left" |1900–01, 1950–51, 1963–64, [[2020–21 Belgian First Division B|2020–21]]
|-
! scope=col|[[Belgian Third Division A]]
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" |2
| align="left" |1975–76, 1983–84
|-
! scope=col|[[Belgian Third Division B]]
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" |1
| align="left" |2003–04
|-
! scope=col|[[Belgian Fourth Division]]
| align="center" | 1
| align="left" |1982–83
|}
===Minor titles===
*'''[[Jules Pappaert Cup]]'''
**'''Winners (4):''' 1956, 1976, 2021, 2022

===European===
*'''[[Challenge International du Nord]]''' ('''1898–1914''')
**'''Winners (3):''' 1904, 1905, 1907
**''Runners-up (1):'' 1908
*'''[[Coupe Van der Straeten Ponthoz]]''' ('''1900–1907''')
**'''Winners (3):''' 1905, 1906, 1907
**''Runners-up (1):'' 1904
*'''[[Coupe Jean Dupuich]]''' ('''1908–1925''')
**'''Winners (4):''' 1912, 1913, 1914, 1925
**''Runners-up (1):'' 1908
*'''[[UEFA Champions League]]''' ('''1955- ''') 
*'''[[UEFA Europa League]]''' ('''1955– ''')
**'''1/2 (1):''' 1958–60
**'''1/4 (1):''' 2022–23
*'''[[UEFA Europa Conference League]]''' ('''2022– ''')
**'''1/8 (1):''' 2023–24

==Union SG in European competitions==

=== Summary ===
In the early 1900s, Union had a dominant spell in some of the first "European" Cup competitions that took place, prior to officially sanctioned UEFA competitions.

The Apaches took part in the first European competitions, the [[Challenge International du Nord]], the [[Coupe Van der Straeten Ponthoz]] and the [[Coupe Jean Dupuich]] between 1898 and 1925. 

Later on, Union Saint-Gilloise went 58 years between appearances in European competitions, entering the [[2022–23 UEFA Champions League]] in the third qualifying round, having last appeared in the [[1964–65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]. 

In the 2022–23 season, the team played their group stage home games at [[Den Dreef]] and their knockout phase home games at the [[Lotto Park]], as the Joseph Marien Stadium does not meet the UEFA requirements. The team made its debut in the [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] group stage that season, winning its first match away at [[1. FC Union Berlin|Union Berlin]]. They also went on to win Group D. [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] and Union Berlin were eliminated in the knockout stages, but in the quarterfinals, [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] proved too strong.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 May 2023 |title=Sevilla in seventh heaven |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2023/matches/ |url-status= |access-date= |work=uefa.com023/matches/ |language=}}</ref>

Union Saint-Gilloise made a successful debut in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] in the [[2025–26 UEFA Champions League|2025–26 season]], winning 3–1 away at [[PSV Eindhoven]].<ref>{{cite web |date=16 September 2025 |title=Droomdebuut op het allerhoogste niveau: Union opent Champions League met straffe zege bij PSV |url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/eur/uefa-champions-league/2025-2026/leaguefase/01/psv-union-droomdebuut-op-het-allerhoogste-niveau-union-opent-champions-league-met-straffe-zege-bij-psv~1750780748536/ |url-status= |access-date= |work=[[Sporza]] |language=nl}}</ref>

=== Record ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Season
! Competition
! Round
! Opponent
! Home
! Away
! Aggregate
! scope="col" width=15|{{efn|Round or group progressed ([[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]) or eliminated ([[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]])}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1958–60
| rowspan="3"| [[1958–60 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]
| [[1958–60 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#First round|First round]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Leipzig|Leipzig XI]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 6–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center;"| '''6–2'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[1958–60 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#Quarter-finals|Quarter-final]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[AS Roma|Roma]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| style="text-align:center;"| '''3–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[1958–60 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#Semifinals|Semi-final]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–4
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–4
| style="text-align:center;"| '''4–8'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 1960–61
| [[1960–61 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]
| [[1960–61 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#First round|First round]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[AS Roma|Roma]]
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–4
| style="text-align:center;"| '''1–4'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 1961–62
| [[1961–62 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]
| [[1961–62 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#First round|First round]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–2
| style="text-align:center;"| '''1–5'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1962–63
| rowspan="2"| [[1962–63 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]
| [[1962–63 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#First round|First round]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–2
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center;"| '''4–3'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[1962–63 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#Second round|Second round]]
| {{flagicon|YUG}} [[GNK Dinamo Zagreb|Dinamo Zagreb]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| style="text-align:center;"| '''2–2'''{{efn|Because of the tie, a play-off match was held, which Dinamo Zagreb won 3–2.}}
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 1964–65
| [[1964–65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]
| [[1964–65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup#First round|First round]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center;"| '''0–2'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="6"| 2022–23
| [[2022–23 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2022–23 UEFA Champions League#Third qualifying round|Third qualifying round]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| style="text-align:center;"| '''2–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[2022–23 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| rowspan="3"| [[2022–23 UEFA Europa League group stage|Group stage]]
| {{flagicon|POR}} [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] 
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–3
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| '''1st'''
| rowspan="3"| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Malmö FF]] 
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
|-
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[1. FC Union Berlin|Union Berlin]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
|-
| [[2022–23 UEFA Europa League knockout phase#Round of 16|Round of 16]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[1. FC Union Berlin|Union Berlin]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–0
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–3
| style="text-align:center;"| '''6–3'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2022–23 UEFA Europa League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|Quarter-final]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–4
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| style="text-align:center;"| '''2–5'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="6"| 2023–24
| rowspan="4"| [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League#Play-off round|Play-off round]]
| {{flagicon|SUI}} [[FC Lugano|Lugano]]
|  bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
|  bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
| style="text-align:center;"| '''3–0'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League group stage|Group stage]]
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] 
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| '''3rd'''
| rowspan="3"| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–2
|-
| {{flagicon|AUT}} [[LASK]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League|UEFA Europa Conference League]]
| [[2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League knockout phase#Knockout round play-offs|Knockout round play-off]]
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Eintracht Frankfurt]]
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| style="text-align:center;"| '''4–3'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League knockout phase#Round of 16|Round of 16]]
| {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)|Fenerbahçe]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
| style="text-align:center;"| '''1–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="10"| 2024–25
| [[2024–25 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2024–25 UEFA Champions League#Third qualifying round|Third qualifying round]]
| {{flagicon|CZE}} [[SK Slavia Prague|Slavia Prague]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–3
| style="text-align:center;"| '''1–4'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="9"| [[2024–25 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| rowspan="8"| [[2024–25 UEFA Europa League league phase|League phase]]
| {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)|Fenerbahçe]]
| {{n/a}}
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;"| '''21st'''
| rowspan="8"| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| {{flagicon|NOR}} [[FK Bodø/Glimt|Bodø/Glimt]]
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| {{n/a}}
|-
| {{flagicon|DEN}} [[FC Midtjylland|Midtjylland]]
| {{n/a}}
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
|-
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[AS Roma|Roma]]
| bgcolor="#ffd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| {{n/a}}
|-
| {{flagicon|NED}} [[FC Twente|Twente]]
| {{n/a}}
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
|-
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[OGC Nice|Nice]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| {{n/a}}
|-
| {{flagicon|POR}} [[S.C. Braga|Braga]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| {{n/a}}
|-
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| {{n/a}}
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
|-
| [[2024–25 UEFA Europa League knockout phase#Knockout phase play-offs|Knockout phase play-off]]
| {{flagicon|NED}} [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 {{aet}}
| style="text-align:center;"| '''2–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="8"| 2025–26
| rowspan="8"| [[2025–26 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| rowspan="8"| [[2025–26 UEFA Champions League league phase|League phase]]
| {{flagicon|NED}} [[PSV Eindhoven]]
| {{n/a}}
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–1
| rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;"| 
| rowspan="8"| 
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–4
| {{n/a}}
|-
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–4
| {{n/a}}
|-
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]]
| {{n/a}}
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–3
|-
| {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]]
| {{n/a}}
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
|-
| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–3
| {{n/a}}
|-
| {{flagicon|GER}} [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
| {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 
|-
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Atalanta BC|Atalanta]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| {{n/a}}
|}

=== Report ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Leipzig|Leipzig XI]] (1958-1959)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[1. FC Union Berlin]] (2022/2023)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] (2023)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[1. FC Nürnberg]] (''1913'')
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[AS Roma|Roma]] (1959/1960/2024)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] (1964)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan]] (2025) 
* {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] (2022/2025)
* {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] (1961)
* {{flagicon|POR}} [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] (2022/2025)
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]] (2025) 
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[OGC Nice|Nice]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] (2023)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] (1962)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[US Tourquennoise|US Tourcoing]] (''1908'')
* {{flagicon|FRA}} ''[[Racing Club de Roubaix|RC Roubaix]]'' (''1904'')
* {{flagicon|BEL}} [[RFC Liège]] (''1902/1904'')
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[PSV Eindhoven]] (2025)
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[Ajax Amsterdam]] (2025)
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[FC Twente|Twente]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|NED}} {{interlanguage link|EFC PW 1885|nl}} (''1905'')
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[Feyenoord Rotterdam]] (''1923/1925'')
* {{Flagicon|NED}} [[Sparta Rotterdam]] (''1907'')
* {{Flagicon|NED}} [[FC Dordrecht]] (''1902'')
* {{Flagicon|NED}} [[Koninklijke HFC]] (''1905'')
* {{Flagicon|NED}} [[HBS Craeyenhout]] (''1903''/''1904'')
* {{flagicon|DEN}} [[FC Midtjylland|Midtjylland]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|NOR}} [[FK Bodø/Glimt|Bodø/Glimt]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)|Fenerbahçe]] (2024/2024)
* {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Galatasaray]] (2025) 
* {{flagicon|CZE}} [[SK Slavia Prague|Slavia Prague]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle United F.C.]] (2025) 
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Liverpool F.C.]] (2023)
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Birmingham City F.C.]] (1959)
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[St Albans City F.C.]] (''1925'')
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ilford F.C.|Ilford F.C.]] (''1911/1912'')
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Barking Football Club|Barking F.C.]] (''1913'')
* {{flagicon|ENG}} ''[[Corinthians F.C.]]'' (''1923'')
* {{flagicon|AUT}} [[LASK]] (2023)
* {{flagicon|SUI}} [[FC Lugano|Lugano]] (2023)
* {{flagicon|CRO}} [[GNK Dinamo Zagreb|Dinamo Zagreb]] (1962-1963)
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Malmö FF]] (2022)
{{div col end}}

Note: All dates in italics refer to matches in the first European cups: [[Challenge International du Nord]], [[Coupe Van der Straeten Ponthoz]], [[Coupe Jean Dupuich]].

==See also==
* [[European association football club records and statistics#Club records|The Invincibles]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://rusg.brussels/ Official website]

{{Royale Union Saint-Gilloise}}
{{Navboxes|title = Royale Union Saint-Gilloise templates|titlestyle = background:#FFEC00;color:#0000FF;
| list  = 
{{Royale Union Saint-Gilloise managers}}
{{Royale Union Saint-Gilloise squad}}
}}
{{Belgian National Sports Merit Award}}
{{Belgian Pro League}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint-Gilloise}}
[[Category:Royale Union Saint-Gilloise| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Brussels]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1897]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Belgium]]
[[Category:1897 establishments in Belgium]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Belgium with royal patronage]]
[[Category:Forest, Belgium|Royale Union Saint-Gilloise]]
[[Category:Saint-Gilles, Belgium|Royale Union Saint-Gilloise]]
[[Category:Belgian Pro League clubs]]
[[Category:Left-wing politics in sports]]