PSV Eindhoven

Philips Sport Vereniging, or simply PSV, was founded in 1910 because the Philips company in Eindhoven needed a physical activity for its employees, leading to the creation of a football team known as the Philips Elftal. This team folded after three years but was reintroduced in 1913 as Philips Sport Vereniging, Dutch for association. Due to WWI, the team did not enter competitions until 1915 and they secured a promotion to the third tier in their first season. By 1921 they had landed in the top division of Dutch football. They suffered a brief relegation in 1925, but have remained in the top flight since 1926 when they were promoted again.

Over the next decade, PSV managed to win several district league titles, but struggled to win national titles, only winning two. PSV’s success slowed during WWII, and it wasn’t until 1950 that they had their first real success following the war when they won the KNVB Cup. They went on to win the district and national title the following season. In 1955 PSV became the first Dutch club to enter the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, which was the precursor to the Champions League.

Things were quiet for the club until 1963 when they won their fourth league title, coming back to secure first place after having an underwhelming start to the season. The next decade was dominated by Ajax and Feyenoord, with PSV struggling to have much success. They reached the domestic cup final two times and never won the league.

It wasn’t until the mid 70s that PSV got back on track after winning the KNVB Cup in 1974 and the league in 1975. They built on this success and won the club’s first domestic double in 1976. They finished runners up in the league in 1977, but won the league title in 1978 in dominant fashion, never losing a game. This incredibly successful team went on to win the UEFA Cup, now known as the Europa League, giving PSV their first European title.

In 1988 PSV had their most successful season to date, winning the league title with four games to go, the Dutch cup, and the European Cup giving them their first treble win and their second European trophy. The following year PSV was close to securing a second treble, but were knocked out of the European Cup, resulting in them “only” winning the domestic double.

PSV continued their success in the 90s, winning the league three times and the cup twice, as well as making several notable signings including Brazilians ​​Ronaldo Nazário and Romário, and Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. PSV dominated the early 2000s, winning the league title 7 times in 10 years, and they won a cup in 2005. They have competed in Europe every season since 1975.

Recently they even brought on former player Ruud van Nistelrooy to be the new manager and he won the KNVB Cup in his first year before leaving for Leicester City.

Peter Bosz replaced him in 2023, and PSV are now two-time defending league champions.

2024-25 SEASON: Eredivisie Champions (26th time), KNVB Cup Semifinals, Champions League Round of 16

2025-26 SEASON: Eredivisie (since its creation in 1926), UEFA Champions League

As part of the Dutch Big 3, PSV shares a rivalry with Feyenoord, but their main rivals are Ajax. This rivalry is huge with PSV fans, but Ajax seems to share a more intense rivalry with Feyenoord. In any case, any game played between these three teams is always a fiercely contested affair, not least because one of them almost always wins the league.

PSV Vrouwen was founded in 2012 and competes in the Eredivisie Vrouwen, the top women’s league in the Netherlands. They have won 1 league title and KNVB Cup in their short history, and have competed in European competitions on two occasions.

Maybe not much help if you don’t speak Dutch, but this is fun:

PSV have played at the Philips Stadion since 1913, when it was still called Philips Sportpark. Although the stadium has remained in the same place for over 100 years, it has been remodeled a number of times to repair damage from WWII and to upgrade stands. The stadium has a current capacity of 36,500, making it the third-largest stadium in the country. The stadium has hosted European Championship games, a UEFA Cup Final, and Dutch national team games.

TOURS: PSV does offer a stadium tour; check the website for details.

GETTING THERE: It’s just a 15-minute walk from the main train station in the city center.

PUBS and GRUB: There are plenty of options around, due the stadium’s central location.

AROUND TOWN: Frankly, there doesn’t seem to be much happening in town: a couple of museums, including one about the Phillips electronics company, are listed online as the main attractions beyond the stadium.