How are the play-offs organized this season?

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How are the play-offs organized this season?

The Pro League has decided to shorten the play-offs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This applies to this season, but also to next year. We briefly explain how they work.

Champions Play-Off and Europe Play-off

In the Champions Play-off (the former Play-off 1), the four best teams from the regular season play for the title (instead of six previously). The numbers 4 to 8 qualify for the Europe Play-Off. In both play-offs, all teams play against each other twice. The Pro League has also retained the concept of sharing the points in both leagues.

Promotion and relegation

For the other teams, the season is over, except for the 17th (and penultimate) team, which will play a duel over two games against the second of 1B, Seraing, with the last free place in the First Division as stake.

The last player of 1A automatically relegates to 1B, while the champion of 1B (Union Saint-Gilles) is automatically promoted to 1A.

The European tickets

Five European tickets will be given to Belgian clubs next season.

• The winner of the Champions Play-offs is the champion and qualifies for the group stage of the Champions League.
• The runner-up will advance to the third qualifying round of the Champions League. If they lose there, there is still the safety net of the Europa League group stage.
• The 3rd place in the Champions Play-Off entitles you to the third heat of the Conference League.
• The winner of the game between the 4th of the Champions Play-Off and the winner of the Europe Play-Off will receive a ticket for the 2nd heat of the Conference League.
• The cup winner plays the last preliminary round of the Europa League

Other scenarios if Genk wins the cup

If Genk – qualified for the Champions ‘Play-Off – wins the Belgian Cup, the final between the 4th of the Champions’ Play-Offs and the winner of the Europe Play-Offs will not take place.

In this scenario, if Genk finishes 1st or 2nd in the play-offs, the European tickets will be divided as follows:

• The champion (group stage) and the runner-up (third qualifying round) qualify for the Champions League.
• The cup winner’s Europa League ticket goes to the 3rd of the Champions’ Play-Off.
• The 4th of the Champions Play-Off and the 5th (winner of the Europe Play-Off) qualify for the Conference League.

If Genk wins the cup and finishes 3rd or 4th in the Champions Play-Off, Genk will keep its ticket for the last preliminary round of the Europa League as the cup winner. The other club, which finishes 3rd or 4th in the Champions’ play-offs, will receive the best ticket for the Conference League. The other Conference League ticket goes to the winner of the Europe Play-Off.

Other scenarios if Standard wins the cup

If Standard wins the cup and the Europe Play-Off, the final between the winner of the Europe Play-Off and the 4th of the Champions Play-Off will also be canceled. As the cup winner, Standard will keep his ticket for the last preliminary round of the Europa League. The 4th of the Champions’ Play-Off qualifies directly for the 2nd qualifying round of the Conference League.

If Standard wins the cup but not the Europe Play-Off, the distribution of the European tickets will not change from the original scenario. So there will be a showdown between the 4th of the Champions’ Play-Off and the winner of the Europe Play-Off for the final ticket to the Conference League.

Season 2020 – 2021 Play-off 1

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