Explained: How the Belgian Pro League promotion and relegation works

The Belgium Pro League has a confusing yet exciting system for deciding who becomes champions of Belgium, and which clubs are relegated to the second tier of Belgium football, the Challenger Pro League.

Fans of clubs who play in more conventional leagues can find the Belgian format difficult to understand, so we've put together a guide on how the split season system works, and why it's in place.

Whether you love or hate the system, one thing is for certain, in that the system is innovative, and helps the Belgium Pro League stand out in European football.

The Belgian FA and the Juliper Pro League have committed to having an innovative format, which increases competition and ultimately keeps fans engaged.

How does the Belgium Pro League handle promotion and relegation?

The Belgium Pro League, officially known as the Jupiler Pro League, employs the "Split Season" system for promotion and relegation. This system, introduced in the 2009-2010 season, incorporates championship play-offs to increase competition and maintain fan interest throughout the season. Here’s an in-depth look at how the system works and its evolution.

What is the split season system?

The Split Season system divides the league into a regular season followed by play-offs. At the end of the regular season, the top six teams enter the Championship Play-Offs, known as "Play-Off 1," where points are halved and rounded up. This group competes for the league title and European qualification spots.

How do the Belgian Pro League championship play-offs work?

Why are points halved?

Halving the points aims to maintain competitiveness by narrowing the gaps between teams, ensuring that the top six remain in contention for the title and European spots.

What happens to teams outside the top six?

Teams finishing 7th to 12th enter "Play-Off 2," split into two groups. The winners of each group then play each other, with the victor facing the fourth-placed team from the Championship Play-Offs for a UEFA Europa Conference League spot.

How has the Belgian league relegation system changed?

2015-2023 changes

From 2015 to 2023, the relegation play-off ceased to exist. The team finishing 16th was relegated directly, while the 15th-placed team entered the Europa League play-offs. The 2015-16 season was an exception, as the 15th-placed team did not participate in any play-off, ending their season after the regular matches.

2023 revisions

In 2023, the relegation system was revamped. Now, teams ranked 13th to 16th after the regular season enter a relegation play-off. The two lowest-ranked teams are relegated directly to the Challenger Pro League, Belgium's second tier. The team finishing above them faces the third-placed team from the Challenger Pro League to avoid relegation.

How does promotion from the Challenger Pro League work?

The Challenger Pro League, the second tier, has its own play-off system. It splits into two periods, with winners facing each other for promotion. If the same team wins both periods, they are automatically promoted.

What are the pros of the Belgian Pro League split season system?

Increased competitiveness: By halving points and introducing play-offs, the system ensures more teams remain in contention for the title and European spots, keeping the league competitive and engaging.

Sustained fan interest: The play-offs maintain fan interest throughout the season, giving even mid-table teams significant goals to achieve, whether avoiding relegation or securing European competition.

Multiple opportunities for success: Teams have multiple paths to achieve their goals, through both the Championship and relegation play-offs, adding to the league’s excitement.

What are the cons of the Belgian Pro League split season system?

Complexity: The system’s complexity can be confusing, particularly the halving of points and intricate play-off structures, potentially detracting from the fan experience.

Potential unfairness: Halving points might seem unfair, especially for teams with a significant lead during the regular season, as it reduces their advantage.

Pressure on lower-ranked teams: The relegation play-offs add pressure on lower-ranked teams, creating high-stakes matches that may not accurately reflect their performance over the season.

The Belgium Pro League’s Split Season system, introduced in 2009-2010 and modified over the years, adds excitement and competition to Belgian football. While it offers benefits like increased competitiveness and sustained fan interest, it also brings challenges such as complexity and potential unfairness. The ongoing evolution of this system reflects the league's commitment to creating innovative formats and differentiating itself from Europe's other top leagues.

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