First Division A | Belgium - an overview

About This Competition

As one of the smallest footballing countries in Europe, the Belgium First Division A packs a very powerful punch. Some of Europe’s top players started in this league and have gone on to be top of their game in the UK, Germany, and Spain. The First Division A is the top league competition for professional football in Belgium. Previously known as the Belgium Pro League, this league has 16 teams fighting for the right to play in Belgium’s top league. The season is split into a Regular Season and the Playoffs round. During the Regular Season, teams play the usual format of one away and one home game. At the end of that round, they enter the Playoff section of the season. In the Playoff stage, the league is divided into Top and Bottom, or Playoff 1 and 2. Playoff 1 is the top 6 placed teams. These teams play for the league title and entry to the Champions League and the Europa League. The top placed team also play in the Belgium Super Cup. Playoff 2 are the teams placed 6th – 15^th. These teams fight for the right to stay in the First Division A. The team at the bottom of the table at the end of the Playoff round is relegated to First Division B. There is no promotion from the First Division A, but the top two teams at the end of the season qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Third and Fourth place qualify for the Europa League.