February 28 – Belgian clubs have ditched the controversial playoffs format of the topflight in favour of a traditional 18-club league format.
After 15 seasons, the Belgian Pro League has decided to bid farewell to the playoffs, returning to a classic league model. Under the current system, the top four clubs play a season-deciding playoff, but points are halved. Other clubs are condemned to prolonged playoffs for European club competition slots or the relegation playoffs.
The playoffs had provided some memorable moments, but the convoluted format will be dropped from the 2026/27 season in favour of a regular season. The top four clubs will get a European ticket while the bottom two clubs will be relegated.
It’s a format with fewer matches allowing the top clubs to focus on European fixtures and spread the workload. At the same time, the smaller clubs will no longer have to deal with empty stadiums and a lack of interest in the playoffs.
It took weeks of negotiations to get a deal that was pushed by the bigger clubs. Some, including Charleroi, remain against the new format.
“The playoffs have always brought a special tension – ‘unscripted drama’,” said Charleroi chairman Mehdi Bayat. “Now we get the opposite, but democracy has spoken and that is the most important thing.”
“Some, like me, think that the new formula will mainly serve certain clubs. Others think that there will now be serenity again without the play-offs and that halving of the points.”
George Bouchez, chairman of second-tier club Francs Borains, is also opposed to the league format. He believes that it will fail to capture the next generation.
“The proposal on the table is not balanced for the Challenger Pro League. We also have to think carefully about whether the model can generate more income for our football. We see that UEFA is innovating today, with their model for the European competitions, and we would then do something very traditional? We also have to be able to appeal to a new and young audience,” said Bouchez.
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