Women's Champions League history makers OH Leuven powering a sustainable future
Friday, February 6, 2026
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OH Leuven have reached milestones on the pitch while strengthening their identity as a club committed to sustainability and social responsibility.
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As representatives from European football's 55 national associations prepare for the UEFA Congress in Brussels, nearby club OH Leuven will be contesting a Women's Champions League knockout phase play-off against holders Arsenal.
They host the first leg on 11 February, before the tie concludes in London on 18 February. Win or lose, the occasion crowns a remarkable debut European campaign for the Belgian champions.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, OH Leuven have been leading the way with their sustainability work.
A historic UEFA Women's Champions League run
After winning the Belgian Women's Super League for the first time last season, OH Leuven became the first side from the country to progress through qualifying and reach the league phase of the Women's Champions League, going on to deliver a series of composed performances against established European opposition. A disciplined 0-0 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain highlighted their defensive organisation, while a 1-1 result against AS Roma underlined their ability to manage the tactical demands of football at the highest level.
At their Den Dreef Stadium home, OH Leuven secured a campaign-defining 2-1 victory over FC Twente, a result that proved decisive in sealing their place in the knockout phase play-offs.
Their debut campaign in the Women's Champions League has been notable not only for the results on the pitch, but also for the attention it has generated.
A crowd of 9,285 attended their home meeting with Arsenal in the league phase, breaking all records for a women's club match in Belgium. The turnout highlighted OH Leuven's rising profile and demonstrated the growing interest in women's football across the country.
Leaders in sustainability
For OH Leuven, success in football sits alongside a broader vision that embraces environmental and social responsibility. That approach took a major step forward in October, when the Den Dreef Stadium was upgraded to operate entirely on green energy.
More than 1,000 solar panels installed on the stadium roof now generate an estimated 475,000 kWh per year, comparable to the average annual consumption of over 135 households.
An additional battery installation and electric vehicle charging points have transformed the ground into an energy hub that powers club operations and even supplies electricity to local homes, using excess energy stored in the battery.
For CEO Frédéric Van Den Steen, the significance of the project extends beyond its environmental impact. "A stadium where you not only feel energy, but also produce it: that is what we have realised here," he says. "With so many matches and events throughout the year, we create a lot of activity in and around the stadium. Being able to give something back to the local community through electricity is truly a win-win for everyone."
Van den Steen stresses that sustainability is embedded in the club's identity. "A football club goes beyond football alone," he explains. "We bring thousands of supporters together every weekend, and those moments are an opportunity to unite people while also communicating important messages around sustainability, climate, anti-racism and inclusion."
That philosophy is reflected across the organisation. The women's team train and compete within the same environmentally focused infrastructure as the rest of the club, with players and staff actively involved in a culture of responsible resource use.
"A stadium where you not only feel energy, but also produce it: that is what we have realised here."
OH Leuven's commitment to a circular mindset is also visible in the team's match kit, produced entirely from recycled polyester, derived from reused plastic bottles and textile offcuts.
As OH Leuven prepare for a decisive tie with the European champions, they do so not only as sporting competitors, but as a club leading the way in sustainability.
Their Women's Champions League campaign has already delivered historic milestones and record crowds, while their work beyond the field reflects a long-term ambition rooted in responsibility, community and forward thinking.