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Belgium’s top clubs proposed a Champions League-style league format, but the plan was shelved after failing to gain enough support from smaller teams. The Pro League will revisit the issue in February.
In what could have been a revolutionary shift for Belgian football, the country's top clubs gathered to discuss a new league format resembling the Champions League and even elements of the NBA. However, the bold proposal has been put on hold, as clubs failed to reach an agreement during a meeting held at the Pro League headquarters in Diegem.
The initiative, backed by Belgium's big six—Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Racing Genk, AA Gent, Antwerp, and Standard Liège—sought to replace the traditional round-robin structure with a more European-style competition. Under this format, clubs wouldn't face each other twice, as is customary in domestic leagues.
Despite the enthusiasm from the leading clubs, the plan never reached a formal vote. “The proposals presented today were simply not strong enough,” confirmed Philippe Bormans, CEO of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Smaller clubs voiced concerns about the new structure, and without their backing, the proposal lacked the majority needed to move forward.
The Two Proposed Formats
The Pro League presented two options for consideration:
- 16-team league with a traditional structure and a 4-team playoff at the end of the season.
- A European model inspired by the revamped Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League formats introduced this season.
In the European model, the first division would consist of 16 teams, but instead of the standard 30 matches (home and away fixtures against every team), the season would be reduced to 24 games. Teams would be divided into four groups of four, playing each other at least once but not necessarily twice. This complex scheduling system would mix home and away matches against teams from other groups, aiming to create a dynamic yet unpredictable fixture list.
After the regular season, the top six teams would advance to the championship playoffs, with no halving of points—a common but often criticized feature of the current Belgian league system. Playoffs for lower-ranked teams would also be introduced, though the specifics remain under negotiation.
Why Did the Proposal Fail?
While the top clubs favored the model, citing fewer matches and a more balanced schedule that aligns with European competitions, smaller teams expressed reservations. The complexity of the new format, particularly how to explain it to fans, and concerns over revenue distribution—with smaller clubs fearing fewer attractive home fixtures—were significant sticking points.
Bormans acknowledged the need for change but emphasized the importance of consensus:
“It’s about more than just the format—promotion, relegation, European revenue, and solidarity all come into play. Everyone sees it from their perspective, and today there wasn’t a majority. We need to return to the drawing board and see what’s possible. If compromises can be made, I believe we can agree on a new format within a few weeks.”
The European model, at least in its current form, has been dismissed. However, Bormans hinted that a revised version could resurface in future discussions.
What’s Next?
The Pro League aims to finalize a new competition structure by February, with the next meeting scheduled for February 20. Whether the European model—or a variation of it—can be revived remains to be seen.