2023–24 Belgian Pro League
The 2023–24 Belgian Pro League (officially known as the Jupiler Pro League due to sponsorship reasons) will be the 121st season of top-tier football in Belgium.
Season | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Dates | 28 July 2023 – 26 May 2024 |
Biggest home win | Antwerp 6–0 Kortrijk Club Brugge 7–1 RWDM |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Format change
After 3 seasons, Belgian Pro League returns to the "old" format featuring the number of teams reduced from 18 to 16 and with similar playoffs as it was pre-COVID-19. After the regular season the top six teams qualify for the Champions' Play-offs (commonly called "Play-offs I"), teams from 7th to 12th place will qualify for the Europe Play-offs (commonly called "Play-offs II"), but most importantly the number of teams relegating increases from one to either two or three, as the bottom four teams (13th through 16th) will play relegation playoffs after completion of which the two last teams will be relegated directly, with the team finishing 14th overall to play the 3rd-place finisher of the Challenger Pro League for the final spot in the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League.[1]
Teams
Due to the league format change which reduced the number of teams back from 18 to 16, the bottom three teams had been relegated to the Challenger Pro League: Oostende (after ten seasons), Seraing (after two seasons) and Zulte Waregem (after 18 seasons). They were replaced by RWD Molenbeek, the winner of the 2022–23 Challenger Pro League. Officially, this club will play their first-ever season in the top flight, but the club sees itself as the successor of the former RWD Molenbeek, one-time Belgian champion, which last played at the highest level in 2002. Another distinct successor team with similar name RWDM Brussels also played four seasons at the highest level from 2004 to 2008.
Stadiums and locations



Matricule | Club | Location | Venue | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|
35 | Anderlecht | Anderlecht, Brussels | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium | 21,500 |
1 | Antwerp | Antwerp | Bosuilstadion | 16,144 |
12 | Cercle Brugge | Bruges | Jan Breydel Stadium | 29,042 |
22 | Charleroi | Charleroi | Stade du Pays de Charleroi | 14,000 |
3 | Club Brugge | Bruges | Jan Breydel Stadium | 29,042 |
4276 | Eupen | Eupen | Kehrwegstadion | 8,363 |
322 | Genk | Genk | Cegeka Arena | 24,956 |
7 | Gent | Ghent | Ghelamco Arena | 20,000 |
19 | Kortrijk | Kortrijk | Guldensporen Stadion | 9,399 |
25 | Mechelen | Mechelen | AFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne | 16,700 |
18 | OH Leuven | Leuven | Den Dreef | 10,000 |
5479 | RWD Molenbeek | Molenbeek, Brussels | Edmond Machtens Stadium | 12,266 |
373 | Sint-Truiden | Sint-Truiden | Stayen | 14,600 |
16 | Standard Liège | Liège | Stade Maurice Dufrasne | 30,023 |
10 | Union SG | Saint-Gilles, Brussels | Stade Joseph Marien | 9,400 |
2024 | Westerlo | Westerlo | Het Kuipje | 8,035 |
Number of teams by provinces
Number of teams | Province or region | Team(s) |
---|---|---|
3 | ![]() | Antwerp, Mechelen and Westerlo |
![]() | Anderlecht, RWD Molenbeek and Union SG | |
![]() | Cercle Brugge, Club Brugge and Kortrijk | |
2 | ![]() | Genk and Sint-Truiden |
![]() | Eupen and Standard Liège | |
1 | ![]() | Gent |
![]() | Oud-Heverlee Leuven | |
![]() | Charleroi | |
Personnel and kits
Club | Manager | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt sponsors (front) | Shirt sponsors (back) | Shirt sponsors (sleeve) | Shorts sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anderlecht | ![]() |
Joma | DVV Insurance (H)/Candriam (A) | None | Napoleon Games | None |
Antwerp | ![]() |
Jako | betFIRST | Heylen Vastgoed, Ghelamco | None | None |
Cercle Brugge | ![]() |
Kappa | Golden Palace Casino Sports | Liantis, Callant Insurance | Volvo Automobilia, Brugge | Autoverhuur Meerschaert, Callant Insurance |
Charleroi | ![]() |
Kipsta | Unibet, R-Aqua, Cairox | QNT Sport | None | UMons |
Club Brugge | ![]() |
Macron | Unibet | Allianz | BWT | None |
Eupen | ![]() |
Adidas | Aspire Academy, Ostbelgien | None | Johnen Automobile | None |
Genk | ![]() |
Nike | Beobank, EAZER | CEO's 4 Climate, Carglass | Aqua-Step HDM | Cegeka, Carglass |
Gent | ![]() |
Craft | Bâloise | Circus Belgium, Vdk bank | Hyundai | APF Autoparts, Vdk bank |
Kortrijk | ![]() |
Erreà | AGO Jobs & HR, Unibet | Brustor, Earth Belgium, Caps Fuel Card | NOVA | Unibet, Caps Fuel Card |
Mechelen | ![]() |
Erreà | Telenet, Groep Verelst, Play Sports, AFAS Software | AFAS Software | None | Arco Information, Golden Palace Casino Sports |
OH Leuven | ![]() |
Stanno | Star Casino | Tegel Concept | Banqup | None |
RWD Molenbeek | ![]() |
Kipsta | Golden Palace Casino Sports | M&G Cleaning | None | Liften De Weghe, Tadal |
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
Macron | Nishitan Clinic, DMM.com, City Creation, Maruhan | Sint Truiden | Asahi Kasei, Maruhan | Pauli Beton, Star Casino |
Standard Liège | ![]() |
Adidas | VOO | Circus Belgium | Cainiao | None |
Union SG | ![]() |
Nike [2] | Loterie Nationale/Hey! Telecom (in UEFA matches) | Hey! Telecom | None | None |
Westerlo | ![]() |
Nike | Soudal | Casino777, Arma Global | Keukens Vanlommel, Voetbalshop.be | Soloya |
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position | Replaced by | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Club Brugge | ![]() |
Caretaker replaced[3] | End of 2022–23 season[4][5][6] | Pre-season | ![]() |
5 June 2023[3][n 3] |
Eupen | ![]() |
Mutual consent | ![]() |
8 June 2023[7] | ||
Kortrijk | ![]() |
![]() |
2 July 2023[8] | |||
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
![]() |
16 May 2023[9] | |||
Standard Liège | ![]() |
Caretaker replaced[3] | ![]() |
16 June 2023[10] | ||
Union SG | ![]() |
No extension agreement found[11] | 21 June 2023 | ![]() |
3 July 2023[12] | |
RWD Molenbeek | ![]() |
Sacked | 24 July 2023[13] | ![]() |
25 July 2023[14] | |
Kortrijk | ![]() |
25 September 2023[15] | 16th | ![]() |
25 September 2023 | |
![]() |
Caretaker replaced | 2 October 2023[16][n 4] | 16th[n 5] | ![]() |
2 October 2023 | |
OH Leuven | ![]() |
Sacked | 13 October 2023[17] | 14th | ![]() |
13 October 2023 |
Regular season
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Union SG | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 13 | +13 | 25 | Europa League and Play-off I[lower-alpha 1] |
2 | Anderlecht | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 21 | Play-off I |
3 | Gent | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 11 | +5 | 20 | |
4 | Cercle Brugge | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 18 | |
5 | Genk | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 20 | 10 | +10 | 18 | |
6 | Antwerp | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 8 | +11 | 17 | |
7 | Club Brugge | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 12 | +11 | 16 | Play-off II |
8 | Standard Liège | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 16 | |
9 | Sint-Truiden | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 19 | −6 | 16 | |
10 | Charleroi | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 17 | −4 | 13 | |
11 | RWD Molenbeek | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 23 | −10 | 13 | |
12 | OH Leuven | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 19 | −1 | 12 | |
13 | Mechelen | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 16 | −5 | 11 | Relegation Play-off |
14 | Eupen | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 26 | −12 | 10 | |
15 | Kortrijk | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 22 | −13 | 8 | |
16 | Westerlo | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 20 | −8 | 7 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Away goal difference; 7) Away goals scored; 8) Play-off.[18]
Notes:
- The regular season winner will qualify for the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League if not earning 2024–25 UEFA Champions League in the playoff.
Results
Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after the completion of each round, with postponed matches only added when completed:
- Three matches of matchday 5 were postponed because of clubs playing European qualifying matches, namely Antwerp-Gent, RWDM-Union SG, and Club Brugge-Genk. These six clubs were behind one match from matchday 5 until matchday 9 as the matches were in the end played between matchdays 8 and 9.
Play-offs
Relegation play-offs
Season statistics
- As of 27 October 2023
Despite teams not playing the same amount of matches due to the play-offs, goals during the play-offs do count in determining the top scorer.
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Club | Goals[19] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Cercle Brugge | 9 |
2 | ![]() |
Sint-Truiden | 8 |
3 | ![]() |
Club Brugge | 7 |
4 | ![]() |
Anderlecht | 6 |
![]() |
RWDM | ||
![]() |
Union SG | ||
7 | ![]() |
Union SG | 5 |
![]() |
Union SG | ||
![]() |
Antwerp | ||
10 | ![]() |
Westerlo | 4 |
![]() |
Club Brugge | ||
Notes
-
Edward Still was the manager for matchdays 1 through 8,
Joseph Akpala was caretaker manager on matchday 9.
-
Marc Brys was the manager for matchdays 1 through 10.
- While the announcement of Ronny Deila's signature at Club Brugge was already made on 25 May 2023, Rik De Mil remained in charge for the last few matches of the season and Deila thus only officially took up the position as soon as the 2022–23 season ended.
- While the announcement of Glen De Boeck's signature at Kortrijk was already made on 28 September 2023, it was added that he would only take over on 2 October 2023, meaning caretaker Joseph Akpala remained in charge for the match of 29 September 2023.
- At the time of the announcement of Glen De Boeck's signature at Kortrijk the team was in last place. When he actually took over a few days later the team moved into 15th.
References
- "Witte rook over nieuwe competitieformule in 1A: 16 ploegen, tot 3 dalers, halvering blijft" [White smoke on new competition format in 1A: 16 teams, up to 3 teams facing relegation, halving of points remains] (in Dutch). 17 June 2022.
- "Union Saint Gilloise Announce "Sustainable" Nike Kit Deal - Fewer New Kits & Lower Prices". Footy Headlines. 1 May 2023.
- "OFFICIEEL: Ronny Deila is de nieuwe coach van Club Brugge na zijn vertrek bij Standard" [OFFICIAL: Ronny Deila is the new manager of Club Brugge after his departure at Standard] (in Dutch). stvv.com. 2023-05-25.
- "Edward Still neemt na de pandoering op de slotspeeldag "in onderling overleg" afscheid van Eupen" [Edward Still bids farewell to Eupen "by mutual agreement" after 7–0 loss on final matchday] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-04-25.
- "Bernd Storck trekt na zondag de deur achter zich dicht bij Kortrijk" [Bernd Storck departs forgood at Kortrijk after next Sunday] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-04-21.
- "Coach Bernd Hollerbach verlaat STVV op het einde van het seizoen" [Manager Bernd Hollerbach to leave STVV at the end of the season] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2022-12-15.
- "Eupen haalt met Florian Kohfeldt ex-Bundesliga-trainer binnen" [Eupen brings in former Bundesliga manager Florian Kohfeldt] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-06-08.
- "EDWARD STILL NIEUWE HOOFDCOACH KV KORTRIJK" [EDWARD STILL NEW HEAD COACH KV KORTRIJK] (in Dutch). kvk.be. 2023-07-02.
- "Fink is een Bink" (in Dutch). stvv.com. 2023-05-16.
- "Carl HOEFKENS nouveau T1 des Rouches" [Carl HOEFKENS new T1 of the Reds] (in French). sporza.be. 2023-06-16.
- "Union en Karel Geraerts gaan uit mekaar: "Afscheid van topcoach en mooi persoon"" [Union and Karel Geraerts part ways: "Goodbye to top manager and beautiful person"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-06-21.
- "Union kiest voor Alexander Blessin als opvolger van Karel Geraerts" [Union chooses Alexander Blessin to succeed Karel Geraerts] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-07-03.
- "Donderslag bij heldere hemel: RWDM ontslaat coach Vincent Euvrard 1 week voor competitiestart" [A bolt from the blue: RWDM fires coach Vincent Euvrard 1 week before the start of the competition] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-07-24.
- "RWDM heeft nieuwe trainer beet: Braziliaan neemt over, De Camargo assistent" [RWDM has a new manager: Brazilian takes over, De Camargo assistant] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-07-25.
- "KV Kortrijk zet Edward Still aan de deur na 2 op 24, Akpala neemt voorlopig over" [KV Kortrijk sends Edward Still to the door after 2 on 24, Akpala takes over for the time being] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-09-25.
- "KV Kortrijk tovert Glen De Boeck tevoorschijn als nieuwe trainer" [KV Kortrijk conjures up Glen De Boeck as its new trainer] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-09-28.
- "OH Leuven en Marc Brys gaan uit elkaar: "Prestaties blijven onder de verwachtingen"" [OH Leuven and Marc Brys split: "Results remain below expectations"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2023-10-13.
- "Bondsreglement Titel 7: Competities" [Association Rules Title 7: Competitions] (PDF). Royal Belgian Football Association. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2020.
- "Pro Scorer". Jupiler Pro League. Retrieved 5 June 2023.