The Norwegian national team’s qualification for this summer’s World Cup playoffs, Norwegian stars in big leagues such as Erling Braut Haaland, Alexander Sørloth and Martin Ødegaard. Bodø/Glimt’s advancement in the Champions League after beating giants such as Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan has led to an explosion of interest in what on earth is happening in Norwegian football.
All arrows are pointing upwards, interest from abroad, the national and international transfer market, player salaries, sponsors, spectators in the stands and TV rights. – A Chinese TV company has secured the rights for the Eliteserien, that speaks volumes. The King Bonus has long been a source for those who want a good overview and assessments. All recommendations are based on actual tests, verifiable information and documented 24-point methodology.
Tight fixture schedule with games in Europe a challenge for Bodø/Glimt
The Eliteserien 2026 is just around the corner, and on March 14 it will be a bang! We have everything you need to be ready when the ball is rolled for the first time. Will it once again be an intense gold showdown between Bodø/Glimt, Viking and Brann? Or will a new challenger emerge and sneak into the fight for the coveted trophy? How are the newly promoted teams doing, and who has to take the difficult road down again? We have thoroughly reviewed each and every team in the Eliteserien 2026, see the teams in the cards and give you our honest table tips and analysis. Read up on new signings, the season’s expectations and everything you need to know to be equipped to bet on the Eliteserien. You can also find our first betting tips for the new season here.
Eliteserien 2026 Table tip: Is Bodø/Glimt back on the throne?
The 2025 season ended with a little surprise. Viking delivered the goods and ran away with the league gold, while Bodø/Glimt had to settle for silver. Now a double program awaits Viking, with both league defense and European adventure. And we believe that this can be decisive. Here is our preliminary picture of how the table could play out in 2026. For more thorough analyses of each individual team, see further down in the article or click on the links.
Aalesund: Tough return for Rekdal & co.
Kjetil Rekdal and Aalesund were among the favorites to be promoted from the OBOS league in 2025. And even though they delivered a solid season, the road back to the Eliteserien was not completely painless. It started well with six games without a loss, before a weak period of four games without a win sent them down the table. The team maintained a steady, if not spectacular, level, but three fatal summer games decided a lot. In three weeks, they suffered three ugly losses: 5-1 against LSK, 3-1 against Start and 2-3 at home against Egersund. A strong final spurt of 6-2-1 in the last nine games was only enough for fourth place. Thus, qualification awaited. There, both Egersund and Kongsvinger were beaten after extra time, before Bryne was crushed 4-0 away from home. Despite losing in the second leg, Rekdal and his men could finally cheer for promotion. Now a tough everyday life awaits in good company, and Aafk must be considered one of the foremost candidates to have to fight to save the place.
This is how Aalesund has strengthened
Several familiar faces are gone. Experienced goalkeeper Sten Grytebust has hung up his gloves, and striker Frederik Heiselberg has moved on to Swedish side Hilleröd (only 14 starts in 30 games in 2025). Loanee Nikolai Skuseth is also back in Sarpsborg 08.
Through the doors of Color Line Stadium, exciting, if not indisputable, reinforcements have arrived. Perhaps the most important is goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson, taken from league champion Viking. The former U21 national team goalkeeper will take over the first goalkeeper responsibility. Young Endre Osenbroch from Sandnes Ulf is an exciting name of the future with seven goals and eight assists in the PostNord league last year. The slightly unknown striker Ivan Djantou has been brought in from Danish Sønderjyske, but also has experience from an autumn loan in the OBOS league for Odd. The defensive line has been supplied by Emil Engqvist, captain of Swedish Sandvikens IF (Superettan).
The run-up: Varying impressions
Aalesund has delivered varying results in the friendly matches, and there has been some uncertainty defensively. The victory against Kristiansund came after an early red card for the opponent.
- Aalesund – Fredrikstad 2-3
- Sirius – Aalesund 3-2
- Aalesund – Hødd 2-0
- Aalesund – Kristiansund 1-0
- Aalesund – Brattvåg 0-2
Our prediction for Aalesund in 2026
Aalesund were solid at the back in 2025, but struggled to create enough going forward. We believe that trend can continue in the Eliteserien. The reinforcements so far are not indisputable quality improvements. Engqvist has experience, but is untested at the top level. Klaesson has the potential to become a top goalkeeper, but is an unorthodox type – how will the dynamic with Rekdal work? We think Aafk will spend large parts of the season in the lower half, and they can quickly be dragged into the relegation battle. However, rumors say that there may be more news before the start of the season.
Bodø/Glimt: The European sensation with gold in sight
Can Glimt convert Euro success into league gold?
Bodø/Glimt go into the 2026 season as the big, clear favorite. No one in Norway can match the top level of Kjetil Knutsen’s men. They have shown this with all the desired clarity this winter.
Because Glimt is in the middle of an adventurous journey. First, they beat Manchester City at home at Aspmyra, before they shocked football Europe with an away win against Atletico Madrid. In the Champions League play-offs, they crushed Inter 3-1 at home, before following up with a 2-1 win at the San Siro – undoubtedly the biggest single result ever by a Norwegian men’s team. The performances this winter are simply beyond all expectations.
And don’t forget, the 2025 season was also very strong. The team lost only four games, and only one of the last 20! They drove over Vålerenga (7-2), Kristiansund (7-1) and scored five or more goals in six games. The problem? Viking was barely better and took the gold with a poor point. 70 points and silver is a feat for most people, but in Bodø it stings. Now they want revenge and gold back to Northern Norway.
The transfer window: No major changes… yet
Danish Mathias Jørgensen made 15 appearances before heading to Blackburn. Ola Brynhildsen made his debut with two assists in September, but suffered injury and returned to Midtjylland. Club legend Brede Moe (282 games) has retired. Beyond that, the stable is intact.
So have Glimt brought in anyone? No, not at the time of writing. But we expect activity. Several Glimt players are scorching hot in Europe after Champions League adventure. Jens Petter Hauge, Kasper Høgh and Patrick Berg are guaranteed to be on the block of many big clubs. The question is whether Glimt will be able to hold on to the stars, and if so, whether they will be able to replace them. With revenues of well over a hundred million from the Champions League, they should at least be able to afford to find good replacements.
Friendlies: Goal drought and Champions League focus
Glimt have had some other things to think about than friendly matches against neighboring clubs this winter. Here is the answer so far:
- Inter – Bodø/Glimt 1-2 (Champions League)
- Bodø/Glimt – Inter 3-1 (Champions League)
- Atletico Madrid – Bodø/Glimt 1-2 (Champions League)
- Bodø/Glimt – Manchester City 3-1 (Champions League)
- Bodø/Glimt – DVTK 4-1
- Groeningen – Bodø/Glimt 0-4
Our prediction for Bodø/Glimt in 2026
Glimt has delivered some of the best we have seen from a Norwegian team in Europe this winter. 2025 was strong, and we see no reason why they should be weaker this year. The big uncertainty is whether they will be able to keep all profiles for the rest of the season. But with a solid bank account and a well-functioning club model, they should be able to replace those who eventually disappear.
Add to that the fact that Viking now has a tighter schedule of Champions League games, and we think everything is in place for Bodø/Glimt to rejoice as league champions in 2026.
