Challenger Pro League (Belgium) 2026/27

Challenger Pro League operates as the second tier of Belgian football, positioned directly below the Jupiler Pro League and above the National Division 1. The competition underwent a structural rebranding in 2016 when the Royal Belgian Football Association and the Pro League reformed the previous Belgian Second Division. It retained the Challenger Pro League name following a further official rename in 2023.

The league currently comprises 16 clubs, a mix that includes reserve teams such as Club NXT, RSCA Futures, Jong Genk, and Jong KAA Gent. These U23 squads participate in the regular season but remain ineligible for promotion to the top flight. The season format sees all teams play a double round-robin schedule, resulting in 30 matches per side.

Promotion mechanics differentiate this competition from other regional tiers. The top two teams secure direct advancement to the Jupiler Pro League. Teams finishing between third and sixth place enter a promotion playoff to contest the final available spot. This decisive playoff features a two-legged final against the team that lost in the Jupiler Pro League’s own relegation playoffs.

Relegation follows a strict path, with the bottom two teams moving down to the National Division 1. Reserve teams face similar risks but often navigate administrative protections or license loopholes regarding their parent clubs. Beerschot stands out as one of the most successful entities in the league's history, having claimed titles in the 2019–20 and 2023–24 seasons. Recent champions also include Zulte Waregem and Beveren. The competition maintains its distinct identity through its developmental role and the inclusion of youth sides, while operating under different financial licensing requirements compared to the first tier.