Belgian amateur football

Belgian football

Football is a popular sport in Belgium that is practiced at both professional and amateur level. The league structure consists of the Jupiler Pro League at the top, followed by national and provincial leagues managed by various bodies.

National Football: The Structure of Belgian Football

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) organises the competitions at national level. The Jupiler Pro League is the highest league and has existed since 1895. This competition has 16 clubs, including RSC Anderlecht, Club Brugge, KRC Genk and Standard Liège. In addition, there is also First Division B as the second professional level. Amateur football starts at the national level with the First National, which is organized in collaboration with Voetbal Vlaanderen and ACFF. The Belgian national teams participate in international tournaments such as the World Cup and European Championship. The league structure has several levels, with clubs being able to promote or relegate based on their performance.

Football results, standings and fixtures in Belgian National football

Amateur football in Flanders

1. West Flanders: Provincial Football on the Coast

West Flanders has two major clubs in the Jupiler Pro League: Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge. Provincial football consists of four levels, from First to Fourth Provincial. Clubs from this province can promote to the Third Division. Amateur football is organised by Voetbal Vlaanderen and has a traditional competition structure with local rivalries.

Football results, standings and fixtures in West Flanders province

2. East Flanders: Football in the Scheldt region

East Flanders has a fixed value in the Belgian top league with KAA Gent. The province has three series in Second Provincial and a similar structure to other Flemish provinces. Provincial football is characterized by several local derbies between clubs from the region around Ghent, the Dender region and the Waasland.

Football results, standings and fixtures in the province of East Flanders

3. Antwerp: Football tradition in the Metropolis

Antwerp is the province where the first football matches were played in Belgium in the late 19th century. Royal Antwerp FC and Beerschot are well-known clubs from the city of Antwerp. Provincial football has two series in the Second Provincial and has a long history with clubs spread throughout the province, from the Kempen to the Waasland.

Football results, standings and fixtures in Antwerp Province

4. Limburg: Football in the Northeastern Province

Limburg is the home of KRC Genk, which won several national titles. The province organizes two series in Second Provincial and has four provincial levels. Football is characterized by clubs from the Mining Region and Maasland. Voetbal Vlaanderen has been coordinating the provincial competitions since the reform in 2008.

Football results, standings and fixtures in Limburg Province

5. Flemish Brabant: Football around the Capital

Flemish Brabant has a special position within Belgian football. The province is part of the sporting province of Brabant, which also includes Walloon Brabant and clubs from Brussels. This construction was created by a cooperation agreement between Voetbal Vlaanderen and the RBFA. Flemish Brabant has three series in the Second Provincial and has clubs from different regions around Leuven, Halle-Vilvoorde and Tienen.

Football results, standings and fixtures in the province of Flemish Brabant

Amateur football

6. Walloon Brabant: Football in the French-speaking Province

Walloon Brabant is part of the sporting province of Brabant and is governed by the ACFF (Association des Clubs Francophones de Football). RSC Anderlecht is located in Anderlecht, but administratively falls under this structure. The province has three series in Second Provincial and a similar structure as the other provinces.

Football results, standings and fixtures in the province of Walloon Brabant

7. Hainaut: Football in Western Wallonia

Hainaut is the largest Walloon province in terms of population and has several clubs in the national leagues, including Sporting Charleroi. The province organizes three series in Second Provincial. Football is organised by the ACFF and has an active amateur scene in cities such as Mons, Tournai and the Charleroi region.

Football results, standings and fixtures in Province of Hainaut

8. Liège: Football in the Eastern Province

The province of Liège has a long football tradition. Standard Liège is the most famous club and plays in the top division. The province has three divisions in Second Provincial and has clubs spread throughout the territory, including the German-speaking community. Clubs from this community can join the ACFF.

Football results, standings and fixtures in Province of Liège

9. Namur: Football in the Ardennes

Namur is located in the Ardennes and has a hilly landscape. The province has two divisions in the Second Provincial. Football is characterized by smaller clubs that operate at a local level. The competitions are organized by the ACFF according to the same structure as in other French-speaking provinces.

Football results, standings and fixtures in Namur province

10. Luxembourg: Football in the Southeast

The province of Luxembourg is the largest province in Belgium in terms of area but has a lower population density. Provincial football has only three levels instead of four. The province has clubs such as Royal Excel Mouscron that have national fame. The competitions are organized by the ACFF.

Football results, standings and fixtures in Luxembourg Province