Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League has long been known for its unique and contentious end-of-season structure: the Champions’ Play-offs. This post-season twist sees the top six teams from the regular season battle it out for the league title, but it’s a system that has sparked debate among fans, players, and officials alike.
While it undeniably adds drama, the halving of points and the play-off format has been criticized for its perceived unfairness, with teams that performed well over the course of the season often facing an uphill battle in the final stretch.
Under the current system, points are halved for the top six teams at the start of the play-offs, with the round-robin format seeing each of the six teams face off again.
The result is a situation where the team that finishes first at the end of the regular season is not guaranteed the title and could even fail to secure silverware altogether.
This has been the experience for Union Saint-Gilloise (USG), who finished top of the table in two of the last three seasons, only to see their lead evaporate during the play-offs.
Despite the frustrations of those who argue the system unfairly punishes consistency, supporters of the format argue that it brings heightened excitement to the final weeks of the season.
By bringing together the best teams in a winner-takes-all competition, the play-offs ensure that the title is contested between the strongest sides, generating higher revenues through ticket sales and broadcasting rights. The competitive nature of the matches, particularly the regional rivalries and derbies, adds further appeal.
However, the system has not been without its detractors. Critics argue that it undermines the essence of the league, where consistency should be rewarded over the course of a long season.
The halving of points in March creates a situation where teams can coast through the early part of the season, knowing they have a chance to recover in the final few games, while others have to contend with an extended fixture list.
This has led to concerns about player fatigue, as teams in European competitions often struggle to balance domestic league matches with mid-week European duties.
This season, the 2024/25 play-offs have once again been a rollercoaster of emotions. KRC Genk, who led the regular season by a comfortable nine points, have faltered in the play-offs, securing just two wins from their first six matches.
USG, often the victims of the system in previous years, have found a turn of fortune, taking an impressive five wins and one draw from their first six games, propelling them into title contention.
Meanwhile, defending champions Club Brugge remain strong contenders, though the race is still open as the play-offs enter their final weeks.
In the relegation battle, the bottom teams continue to fight for survival. Kortrijk and Beerschot face relegation, while Sint-Truiden will attempt to escape via the relegation play-off fixtures.
The relegation play-offs are arguably the most contentious, as lower-ranked teams fight to avoid dropping to a lower division, often resulting in a series of tense, must-win encounters.
Looking ahead, however, the system is set for a major overhaul. The Belgian league has announced that from the 2026/27 season, the league will expand to 18 teams, and the play-off system will be scrapped.
Instead, teams will play a straightforward 34-game regular season, with the champions crowned in a more conventional manner.
While the end of the play-offs will reduce some of the excitement that has characterized the Belgian league in recent years, it will undoubtedly bring more balance and fairness to the competition, with less strain on players and a clearer path to the title.
As the current season reaches its climax, the debates surrounding the play-offs are likely to intensify. While the system has its defenders, it remains clear that the Belgian football landscape is on the verge of a major shift, with the end of an era looming on the horizon.
