The 2025–26 Belgian Pro League marks the final season under its current playoff structure before transitioning to an 18-team, no-playoff format in 2026–27. Running from 26 July 2025 to 25 May 2026, the league features 16 teams, including newly promoted Zulte Waregem and La Louvière. The season will follow the traditional format of a regular season followed by playoffs: a Championship Play-off (top 6 teams), European Qualification Play-off (next 6 teams), and Relegation Play-off (bottom 4 teams). Union Saint-Gilloise, the defending champions, will look to retain their title amidst strong competition from top clubs like Club Brugge, Genk, and Anderlecht. The relegation system this year introduces a crucial twist—no team will be directly relegated, but the last-placed club will face a promotion/relegation playoff against the Challenger Pro League playoff winner to secure a spot in the expanded league next season. This season is viewed as a transitional phase in Belgian football, setting the stage for a simplified league structure aimed at reducing fixture congestion and enhancing competitiveness starting from the 2026–27 season.
Match Details
The Match Details for the 2025–26 Belgian Pro League:
• Season Duration: 26 July 2025 – 25 May 2026
• Total Teams: 16
• Matchdays (Regular Season): 30 matchdays (Each team plays every other team twice — home and away)
• Total Regular Season Matches: 240
• After the regular season, teams will be divided into three playoff groups:
- Championship Play-off (Top 6 teams)
- Europe Play-off (7th to 12th placed teams)
- Relegation Play-off (Bottom 4 teams)
• Final Matchday (Play-offs): Scheduled for late May 2026
Tournament Format
The Tournament Format for the 2025–26 Belgian Pro League:
1. Regular Season
• 16 teams play each other twice including home & away
• Points from the regular season carry over to the play-offs but may be halved for certain groups, Championship Play-offs traditionally see points halved, but final confirmation for 2025–26 is pending
2. Playoffs Breakdown
Championship Play-off (Top 6 teams)
• The top six teams from the regular season compete in a round-robin mini-league.
• Points might be halved at the start.
• The team finishing 1st after these rounds is crowned Belgian Champion.
• Top positions also determine Champions League and Europa League qualifications.
Europe Play-off (Teams 7th to 12th)
• Teams ranked 7th to 12th will play a similar mini-league.
• The winner may get a chance to contest a European playoff match (against a Championship Play-off team) for a Europa Conference League spot.
Relegation Play-off (Bottom 4 teams)
• The teams ranked 13th to 16th will enter the Relegation Play-offs.
• Points typically carry over from the regular season (no halving).
• The 16th placed team at the end of this phase will face a promotion/relegation playoff against the Challenger Pro League playoff winner to decide who plays in the 2026–27 Pro League.
• No team will be directly relegated this season.
Key Rules
• Tie-breakers: Goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results.
• No direct relegation this season due to league expansion plans.
• The season is designed as a transition year, after which the Pro League will expand to 18 teams with a standard double round-robin format from 2026–27, eliminating playoffs altogether.
Belgian Pro League 2025–26 Venues
The Venue Details in a list format for easy reference:
1. Joseph Marien Stadium
- Club: Union Saint-Gilloise
- City: Brussels (Forest)
- Capacity: 9,400
2. Jan Breydel Stadium
- Clubs: Club Brugge & Cercle Brugge
- City: Bruges
- Capacity: 29,062
3. Bosuilstadion
- Club: Royal Antwerp FC
- City: Antwerp
- Capacity: 16,144
4. Lotto Park
- Club: RSC Anderlecht
- City: Anderlecht (Brussels)
- Capacity: 21,500
5. Cegeka Arena
- Club: KRC Genk
- City: Genk
- Capacity: 23,718
6. Ghelamco Arena
- Club: KAA Gent
- City: Ghent
- Capacity: 20,175
7. Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Sclessin)
- Club: Standard Liège
- City: Liège
- Capacity: 27,670
8. Stade du Pays de Charleroi
- Club: Sporting Charleroi
- City: Charleroi
- Capacity: 15,000
9. AFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne
- Club: KV Mechelen
- City: Mechelen
- Capacity: 16,672
10. Den Dreef
- Club: OH Leuven
- City: Leuven
- Capacity: 10,020
11. Stayen
- Club: Sint-Truiden VV
- City: Sint-Truiden
- Capacity: 14,600
12. Elindus Arena
- Club: Zulte Waregem
- City: Waregem
- Capacity: 12,414
13. Florent Beeckmanstadion
- Club: Dender EH
- City: Denderleeuw
- Capacity: 6,429
14. Stade du Tivoli
- Club: La Louvière Centre
- City: La Louvière
- Capacity: 12,500
15. Het Kuipje
- Club: Westerlo
- City: Westerlo
- Capacity: 8,035
Importance of the 2025–26 Belgian Pro League Season
Here’s the Importance of the 2025–26 Belgian Pro League in a bullet point format:
• Final Season with Playoffs
– This will be the last Belgian Pro League season to use the Championship Playoffs, Europe Playoffs, and Relegation Playoffs format.
– From 2026–27, the league will adopt a straightforward double round-robin system without playoffs.
• League Expansion Transition
– The league will expand from 16 to 18 teams next season.
– The bottom team in 2025–26 will enter a promotion/relegation playoff instead of being directly relegated.
• Crucial for Smaller Clubs
– Clubs like La Louvière, Dender EH, and Zulte Waregem have a rare chance to secure long-term top-flight status in a less punitive relegation environment.
• Traditional Giants Aiming to Reclaim Dominance
– Historic clubs such as Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Genk, and Standard Liège are eager to dethrone Union Saint-Gilloise, who won the title last season.
• European Qualification Battle
– The playoff structure adds drama to the race for UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League spots, with more teams having a shot at Europe.
• Fixture Congestion Solution
– The planned structural reform aims to reduce fixture congestion, which has been a longstanding issue for clubs balancing domestic and European commitments.
• Historic Significance
– The 2025–26 season is viewed as the end of an experimental era in Belgian football, setting the stage for a more traditional and competitive league structure.
Conclusion
The 2025–26 Belgian Pro League stands as a defining chapter in Belgian football, marking the final season under the playoff-driven format before transitioning to a more traditional league structure. With the league set to expand to 18 teams and abolish playoffs from 2026–27, this season becomes a pivotal moment for clubs to secure their future status. For Union Saint-Gilloise, it’s a chance to solidify their rise as a new powerhouse, while traditional giants like Club Brugge, Anderlecht, and Genk will fight to reclaim supremacy. The absence of direct relegation adds a unique dynamic, offering bottom clubs a crucial lifeline through a promotion/relegation playoff. Additionally, the competitive race for European qualification ensures high-stakes battles throughout the season. Ultimately, the 2025–26 campaign not only crowns the final playoff-era champion but also serves as the gateway into a modernized Belgian football structure aiming for greater competitiveness, reduced fixture overload, and long-term growth.
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