The Polish league season kicks off with Lech Poznan looking for a title three-peat

For the first time in 32 years we will also have three teams from the same city battle it out between themselves in the Polish topflight. Who will be the best in Ekstraklasa and who will have the bragging rights in Krakow?

Lech Poznań (64 seasons in Ekstraklasa, 10 titles, most recent: 2025/26)

The defending champions from Bułgarska Street will go for their first ever back-to-back-to-back championship wins and 11th overall title. If Lech Poznań top the standings for the third time in a row, they will be the first team since Legia Warsaw did it in 2018.

The club returns with the same coach (Niels Frederiksen), a better team (this summer they spent almost $9 million for Terry Yegbe, Luis Palma and Mateusz Lis and got a $1.5 million contract accepted by Allahyar Sayyadmanesh. In order to achieve the same result the champions will need their top guns - Bartosz Mrozek (goalkeeper), Joel Perreira (defense), Antoni Kozubal (midfield) and Mikel Ishak to be at their best.

One thing is for sure: the squad's depth will be tested, because - on top of the title defense campaign - they will look to buy the Golden Ticket to Champions League for the first time. But that’s exactly why they have the best youth academy in Poland, which produces quality talent such as Michał Gurgul, Wojciech Mońka and Hubert Janyszka year in and year out.

Widzew Łódź (39 seasons in Ekstraklasa, 4 titles, most recent 1997)

While Lech Poznań are - according to transfermarkt.com - the most valuable team in Poland, Widzew are third best in this category. Despite the fact that the owner Robert Dobrzycki put an unprecedented $24 million into big headline signings last season the team - which featured eight internationals - disappointed and finished 14th.

To boost the goal tally, Serbian coach Aleksandar Vukovi added Karol Świderski this summer. The Polish national team striker (14 goals in 51 games) signed a three-year contract. No major departures mean that the same team - plus Swiderski and the World Cup veteran with DR Congo Steve Kapuadi for whom Widzew paid Legia Warsaw $2 million - will get another chance to live up to their expectations in their historic 40th season in Ekstraklasa. And it’s either a top 3 finish or bust. 

Górnik Zabrze (69 seasons in Ekstraklasa, 14 titles, most recent 1988)

Górnik enter the new season looking to build upon a fantastic campaign in 2025-26, where they finished second in the league and won the Polish Cup. The new majority owner Lukas Podolski, who finally hung up his boots last year at 41, has had a busy summer in the transfer market.

Two of the Czech midfield maestros were sold - Lukas Ambros and Patrik Hellebrand - and did not extend goalkeeper Marcel Lubik’s loan. Then he went on to sign Kacper Urbański (formerly Legia), Dominican Republic international Peter Federico, who played three games with Real Madrid), 18-year-old Croatian talent Bruno Durdov and Erik Prekop.

Slovakian international was brought in from Slavia Prague for $1 million. Górnik have never spent that much money on a player, but in order to do well in three different competitions (Europe, league and Polish Cup) to commemorate their 70th season in Ekstraklasa the Michal Gasparik’s squad need to be deep and have plenty of quality.

Wisła Kraków, Wieczysta Kraków and Cracovia

In 1994-95 three teams from Poznań - Lech, Olimpia and Warta - went against each other in Ekstraklasa. 32 years later once again we will see a trio of competitors from the same Polish city: Kraków.

Cracovia, who in 2025-26 finished 13th will soon be joined by Wisła and Wieczysta. The former return to the top level after 4 seasons and hope that in their 62nd season in Ekstraklasa they can at least be a mid-table team. The latter are a Polish version of Wrexham A.F.C.: only six years ago they played in the sixth division.

After a takeover by a wealthy businessman Wojciech Kwiecien they won 138 out of 198 games, scored 692 goals and will play their first ever season in Ekstraklasa. While neither of the three have a legitimate shot at the title, finding out which is the best in Krakow should be very entertaining. After all, Wisła and Cracovia games are nicknamed “Holy Wars” and always deliver plenty of drama. All 203 of them.

Opening matches to watch

Friday, July 24th - 2:25PM ET - Radomiak Radom vs Wieczysta Krakow - live FOR FREE on beIN SPORTS XTRA and CONNECT
Saturday, July 25th - 2:10PM ET - Lech Poznan vs. Cracovia - live FOR FREE on beIN SPORTS XTRA and CONNECT
Sunday, July 26th - 11:25AM ET - Widzew Lodz vs. Motor Lublin - live FOR FREE on beIN SPORTS XTRA and CONNECT

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