Viking Second in Eliteserien and Into Champions League Qualifying
Viking FK are firmly in the Eliteserien title hunt, sitting just one point behind leaders Bodø/Glimt after 17 matches. The Stavanger club also face Dinamo Zagreb in UEFA Champions League qualifying this week, with the return leg coming at Viking Stadion on 26 August.
A Season Going From Strength to Strength
Viking FK sit second in the 2026 Eliteserien table with 40 points from 17 matches — just one point behind pace-setters Bodø/Glimt — making this one of the most competitive title races Stavanger's finest have been involved in for years. The club's goal difference of +23 underlines how clinical Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim's side have been throughout the campaign.
The run of form has been built on a series of impressive results stretching back to the spring, including a stunning 5-0 demolition of Bodø/Glimt at home in April and a 3-0 win over Rosenborg on May 1, which drew an attendance of 15,900 to Viking Stadion.
A Setback on the Road
The most recent Eliteserien fixture brought a 2-1 defeat away to Rosenborg on Friday 14 August, snapping a run of momentum for Viking. Rosenborg — who are lying ninth in the table — will take particular satisfaction from ending their Stavanger visitors' winning streak, while Viking will be eager to put things right when they return to home turf.
Prior to that trip to Trondheim, Viking had beaten Sarpsborg 2-1 at Viking Stadion on 8 August in front of 15,759 supporters, keeping the pressure firmly on Bodø/Glimt at the summit.
Eyes on Europe — and a Huge Week Ahead
Off the back of their second-place finish last season, Viking have earned a place in UEFA Champions League qualifying for 2026-27. Fixtures data confirms that Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb are the opponents in the qualifying round, with the first leg scheduled for 18 August and the return leg at Viking Stadion on 26 August.
The European tie runs alongside a packed domestic schedule. Viking's next Eliteserien home game at Viking Stadion comes on Saturday 29 August against Aalesund — a fixture supporters will be eyeing as a chance to consolidate second place ahead of the final stretch of the season.
Title Race Intact
With 13 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats from 17 matches, Viking's consistency this season has been remarkable. The club is on course for its best Eliteserien points tally in years, and with a Champions League qualifying tie and a crucial home league fixture both arriving within days of each other, Viking Stadion is set to be the centre of Norwegian football's universe this week.
