What does the new format in the Belgian Pro League mean for the future of Belgian top flight football? | OneFootball

As was predicted in the mainstream Belgian media, the Pro League is set to change its format once again. This feels like its a tradition for the league to switch every few seasons. This time around, the number of teams will be expanded to 18, with the play-off format scrapped as well. The new format will come into play for the 2026/2027 season.

This means that, for Kortrijk and St Truiden, there will be no immediate reprieve from relegation. It had been rumoured that the new format would come into play for the 2025/2026 season and thus mean only Beerschot had a chance of going down. However, things will stay the same for now, with the bottom two going down after the play-downs and whoever finishes third from bottom after that mini-playoff series having to face the winner of the play-offs in the Challenger Pro League.

Next season, the likelihood of relegation for sides from the Pro League will be diminished by a long way. Only one team will have the chance of going down, and that will only be if they lose the relegation play-off. The side that wins the play-offs in the second tier will play the side that finishes bottom of the Pro League.

Without the play-offs, the top four sides will get European tickets, and the bottom two sides will be relegated after the 2026/2027 season. This will make that year the first since 2009 without play-offs.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson