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2024–25 Challenger Pro League

Football league season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2024–25 season of the Challenger Pro League began on 16 August 2024 and ended in May 2025. It was the third season under its new name after being renamed from First Division B. Zulte Waregem finished first and won promotion to the Belgian Pro League for the 2025–26 season, with La Louvière joining alongside them.

Season2024–25
ChampionsZulte Waregem
PromotedZulte Waregem
La Louvière
RelegatedDeinze
Quick facts Season, Champions ...
Challenger Pro League
Season2024–25
ChampionsZulte Waregem
PromotedZulte Waregem
La Louvière
RelegatedDeinze
Top goalscorerJelle Vossen
(15 goals)
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Team changes

Incoming

Outgoing

Name change

  • Lierse Kempenzonen announced on 13 June 2024 that it had received approval to change the club name to Koninklijke Lierse Sportkring, thereby taking the same name Lierse as the former now defunct club Lierse SK.[1]

Team information

Stadiums and locations

Locations of the 2024–25 Challenger Pro League teams
More information Matricule, Club ...
Matricule Club City First season of
current spell at
second level		 Coming from 2023–24 result Stadium Capacity
4068 Beveren Beveren 2021–22 Belgian First Division B 8th (CPL) Freethiel Stadion 8,190
3 Club NXT Bruges[a] 2022–23 U23 competition 9th (CPL) Schiervelde Stadion 8,340
818 Deinze Deinze 2020–21 Belgian First Amateur Division 3rd (CPL) Burgemeester Van de Wiele Stadion 7,515
4276 Eupen Eupen 2024–25 Belgian Pro League 16th (BPL) Kehrwegstadion 8,363
5192 Francs Borains Boussu 2023–24 Belgian National Division 1 14th (CPL) Stade Robert Urbain 6,000
322 Jong Genk Genk 2022–23 U23 competition 10th (CPL) Luminus Arena 24,956
94 La Louvière La Louvière 2024–25 Belgian National Division 1 1st (NatD1) Stade du Tivoli 12,500
3970 Lierse Lier 2020–21 Belgian First Amateur Division 11th (CPL) Herman Vanderpoortenstadion 14,538
4297 Lokeren-Temse Lokeren 2024–25 Belgian National Division 1 2nd (NatD1) Daknamstadion 12,136
2554 Lommel SK Lommel 2018–19 Belgian First Amateur Division 4th (CPL) Soevereinstadion 8,000
3434 Patro Eisden Maasmechelen Maasmechelen 2023–24 Belgian National Division 1 6th (CPL) Gemeentelijk Sportparkstadion 5,500
4 RFC Liège Liège 2023–24 Belgian National Division 1 7th (CPL) Stade de Rocourt 8,000
167 RFC Seraing Seraing 2023–24 Belgian Pro League 15th (CPL) Stade du Pairay 8,207
35 RSCA Futures Anderlecht, Brussels 2022–23 U23 competition 12th (CPL) King Baudouin Stadium 38,000
5479 RWD Molenbeek Molenbeek, Brussels 2024–25 Belgian Pro League 15th (BPL) Edmond Machtens Stadium 12,266
5381 Zulte Waregem Waregem 2023–24 Belgian Pro League 5th (CPL) Regenboogstadion 12,500
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  1. [a]
    Club NXT did not play its home matches at the same venue as the A-squad of Club Brugge (the Jan Breydel Stadium) but rather they moved to Roeselare to play in the Schiervelde Stadion.

Regular season

League table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Zulte Waregem (C, P) 28 18 5 5 55 30 +25 59 Promoted to Pro League
2 La Louvière (P) 28 17 8 3 50 24 +26 59
3 RWD Molenbeek 28 17 6 5 42 21 +21 57 Qualification for promotion play-offs
4 Beveren 28 14 9 5 41 27 +14 51
5 Patro Eisden Maasmechelen 28 13 10 5 51 28 +23 49
6 Club NXT 28 14 5 9 46 35 +11 47 Ineligible for promotion, promotion play-offs and (from matchday 24 on) also relegation
7 Lokeren-Temse 28 12 5 11 32 35 −3 41[a] Qualification for promotion play-offs
8 Lierse 28 11 7 10 40 35 +5 40
9 RFC Liège 28 9 7 12 38 44 −6 34
10 Eupen 28 8 6 14 38 47 −9 30
11 Lommel 28 8 5 15 32 46 −14 29
12 Francs Borains 28 8 4 16 29 50 −21 28
13 RSCA Futures 28 5 8 15 41 54 −13 23 Ineligible for promotion, promotion play-offs and (from matchday 24 on) also relegation
14 Seraing 28 3 10 15 28 55 −27 19
15 Jong Genk 28 3 5 20 30 62 −32 14[b] Ineligible for promotion, promotion play-offs and (from matchday 24 on) also relegation
16 Deinze (R) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −3[c] Relegated to National Division 1
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Source: Challenger Pro League
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 made.[9]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. [a]
    Initially, Lokeren-Temse had not applied for a footballing license to play at the highest level of Belgian football. After the deadline had passed, the club had decided to apply for a license after all, but on 17 April this was denied. The club was therefore initially not allowed to participate in the promotion play-offs but appealed the decision, which allowed them to participate (instead of next placed Lierse). A final verdict still needs to be given, meaning that even if Lokeren-Temse were to win the promotion play-offs, they might still be denied promotion.[2]
  2. [b]
    The Pro League approved the new competition format for the coming seasons by the end of February. Part of the haggling between club presidents resulted in a new rule for the ongoing season which entered with immediate effect, stating that a minimum of four U23 would always need to be present in the Challenger Pro League. As only three teams are currently present, all three will be spared of relegation in case of ending in a relegation spot. At the time of the decision, there were still seven matchdays to play and Jong Genk was in a relegation spot. In case they overtake a non-U23 team, that team would however have face relegation.[3] After the penultimate matchday, with Jong Genk now mathematically certain of finishing in 15th, the Pro League announced that Jong Genk had been relegated after all. Apparently, the league reform as decided and announced at the end of February was still not officially approved.[4] On 16 June 2025, just weeks before the start of the 2025–26 Challenger Pro League, the Pro League announced that the High Council of the Belgian FA had approved the reform, meaning Jong Genk would be able to remain at the second level.[5] The One week later, on 1 July 2025, Francs Borains, Lokeren-Temse and Seraing together launched a formal appeal against the reform citing it unfair that U23 cannot be relegated whilst non-U23 teams can. Should the Belgian Competition Authority rule in their favor, the start of the 2025–26 Challenger Pro League could be postponed.[6] Meanwhile the new calendar, including Jong Genk, was already released on 3 July 2025.
  3. [c]
    On 12 November 2024, Deinze was deducted 3 points for outstanding unpaid player wages.[7] One month later, on 11 December 2024, the club was declared bankrupt and all its results were voided. The club will be considered last and only one other team will be relegated.[8]

Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after the completion of each round, with postponed matches and points deductions only included when occurring. Teams with fewer matches played are shown with their position underlined, with each line representing one fewer match.

  • On 12 November, between matchdays 11 and 12, Deinze was deducted 3 points for outstanding unpaid player wages.[7]
  • On 11 December, between matchdays 14 and 15, Deinze was declared bankrupt and all their results voided. The team will be classified last and only one other team will be relegated.[8]
  • Due to snow, several matches of matchday 17 were postponed: Lokeren-Temse vs Eupen, Lommel vs Francs Borains, RSCA Futures vs Jong Genk and Seraing vs Lierse.[10] All four matches were rescheduled for the midweek of 28–29 January, in between matchdays 19 and 20.[11]
  • On 27 February, between matchdays 23 and 24, the Pro League approved the new competition format for the coming seasons. Part of the haggling between club presidents resulted in a new rule for the ongoing season which entered with immediate effect, stating that a minimum of four U23 would always need to be present in the Challenger Pro League. As only three teams are currently present, all three will be spared of relegation in case of ending in a relegation spot.[3] When it was however mathematically certain Jong Genk would end 15th, the Pro League announced Jong Genk would get relegated, as the league reform had not received approval (yet). [4]

"Colored cells" refer to being promoted (green), in promotion play-offs (yellow), or in relegation play-offs (red). Note that U23 teams are ineligible for promotion and playoffs, and the coloring is adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, if one of the mother clubs of these three teams is relegated, the U23 would automatically take up one of the relegation spots as U23 teams always have to remain at least one level below their mother club, this is not accounted for in the coloring until after the season.

More information Team ╲ Round, Zulte Waregem ...
Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
Zulte Waregem121111542212321111111111111222221
La Louvière693223433232222222333333333332
RWD Molenbeek972111121113333333222222111113
Beveren5893891111101197786556677655555444
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen8681174344644444444444444444555
Club NXT[a]137101181078878655775555566666666
Lokeren-Temse1615161616151415131011121214101111111013131299998777
Lierse725967567786877667766777777888
RFC Liège1516131314131312111210119913999888888889999
Eupen3510121210899912101111910101013910111212111110101010
Lommel10131275678545556888891011131313121212111111
Francs Borains11106810121213141515141613111212121111991010101011121212
RSCA Futures[a]141415151516161616161615131512141414141212101111131313131313
Seraing131214141314151415141316141214131313121414141414141414141414
Jong Genk[a]414691191012131413151615151515151515151515151515151515
Deinze241435656569101016161616161616161616161616161616
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  1. [a]
    ineligible for promotion and playoffs. Between matchdays 23-29 also ineligible for relegation, as well as after the season.
Source: vbal4.be

Results

More information Home \ Away, ZWA ...
Home \ Away ZWA LAL RWD BEV PEM NXT L-T LIE RFC EUP LOM FRB AND SER GNK DEI
Zulte Waregem 2–1 2–1 4–0 3–2 2–1 1–0 0–1 3–1 3–2 0–1 2–2 3–1 5–1 3–1 7 Feb[a]
La Louvière 0–0 0–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 5–1 2–1 2–2 4–1 2–1 12 Apr[a]
RWD Molenbeek 2–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 2–1 0–1 1–0 1–0 3–0 1–0 3–2[b]
Beveren 3–2 0–0 0–2 0–0 2–2 0–1 1–0 3–1 3–0 2–1 4–0 1–1 0–0 3–2 26 Jan[a]
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen 0–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 4–1 3–3 2–0 1–0 4–0 4–1 3–1 2–3 1–0 3–1[b]
Club NXT 0–3 2–1 0–1 2–0 0–1 4–0 3–1 2–1 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–0 1–1 3–0 12 Jan[a]
Lokeren-Temse 2–0 0–5 1–4 0–1 2–2 2–1 1–1 2–1 0–0[c] 1–0 0–1 0–1 0–1 4–0 0–0[b]
Lierse 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–3 2–2 2–1 3–0 1–0 4–0 3–1 3–2 2–2 0–1[b]
RFC Liège 1–1 1–1 2–1 0–0 2–2 1–1 0–1 2–1 0–3 1–1 0–1 3–3 2–1 3–1 3–0[b]
Eupen 1–3 3–4 0–1 2–2 0–4 1–0 0–1 1–3 0–1 3–2 3–1 2–2 2–1 3–1 14 Dec[a]
Lommel 1–2 1–2 0–2 1–2 0–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–2[c] 2–1 2–2 2–0 1–1[b]
Francs Borains 1–3 0–1 1–2 0–0 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–0 1–2 3–2 1–3 3–2 0–1 2–2 28 Mar[a]
RSCA Futures 2–3 1–2 2–1 0–4 1–1 2–3 0–2 2–0 2–4 2–2 5–0 0–1 1–1 4–1[c] 1–4[b]
Seraing 0–0 0–1 4–4 0–2 0–0 2–3 0–4 0–2[c] 0–3 1–2 1–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 23 Feb[a]
Jong Genk 2–3 0–1 0–3 3–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–3 4–1 0–0 0–4 1–2 1–0 2–2 7 Mar[a]
Deinze 2–2[b] 1–2[b] 1 Mar[a] 3–1[b] 14 Feb[a] 2–0[b] 31 Jan[a] 5 Apr[a] 18 Apr[a] 15 Mar[a] 17 Jan[a] 0–3[b] 21 Dec[a] 0–1[b] 1–0[b]
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Updated to match(es) played on 18 April 2025. Source: Flashscore
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. [a]
    Matches cancelled as Deinze was declared bankrupt on 11 December.[8]
  2. [b]
    Results voided on 11 December as Deinze was declared bankrupt.[8]
  3. [c]
    Several matches in the weekend of 10–12 January were postponed due to snow and rescheduled for 28–29 January.[10][11]

Promotion play-offs

Promotion/relegation play-offs

The promotion/relegation play-offs are contested by the four highest eligible finishers not already promoted directly. Normally this would be the teams in positions 3 to 6 in the 2024–25 Challenger Pro League, but as Club NXT (6th, U23-team) was ineligible, Lokeren-Temse (7th) took the final spot. At the time the play-offs started however, Lokeren-Temse had not been awarded a license to play at the highest level for the coming season which would have made them ineligible to compete. The club launched an appeal against this decision however which meant that the negative license decision was suspended and they could take part. Should the appeal however be rejected, the club will not be able to promote.[12] These four teams meet in a knockout tournament with both quarter-finals and semi-finals over two legs, and the highest season finisher always having home advantage in the return leg. The winner of the semi-finals will play the 14th place finisher of the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League over two legs. The Belgian Pro League team will have home advantage in the return leg; the winner of the final will qualify to play in the 2025–26 Belgian Pro League, with the loser playing in the 2025–26 Challenger Pro League.

Bracket

Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinals
7Lokeren-Temse224
14Cercle Brugge538
3RWD Molenbeek033
7Lokeren-Temse1125Patro Eisden Maasmechelen112
5Patro Eisden Maasmechelen213
5Patro Eisden Maasmechelen325
4Beveren213

Quarter-finals

More information Lokeren-Temse, 2–0 ...
Lokeren-Temse2–0RWD Molenbeek
 Report
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Attendance: 2,676
Referee: Massimiliano Ledda
More information RWD Molenbeek, 3–2 ...
RWD Molenbeek3–2Lokeren-Temse
 Report
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Attendance: 2,869
Referee: Klass Clerkx

Lokeren-Temse won 4–3 on aggregate.

More information Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, 3–2 ...
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen3–2Beveren
 Report
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Patro Stadion, Maasmechelen
Attendance: 1,011
Referee: Wesli De Cremer
More information Beveren, 1–2 ...
Beveren1–2Patro Eisden Maasmechelen
 Report
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Attendance: 4,346
Referee: Kevin Van Damme

Patro Eisden Maasmechelen won 5–3 on aggregate.

Semi-finals

More information Lokeren-Temse, 1–2 ...
Lokeren-Temse1–2Patro Eisden Maasmechelen
 Report
  • Bammens 34', 78'
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Attendance: 5,062
Referee: Bert Verbeke
More information Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, 1–1 ...
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen1–1Lokeren-Temse
 Report
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Patro Stadion, Maasmechelen
Attendance: 2,385
Referee: Nathan Verboomen

Patro Eisden Maasmechelen won 3–2 on aggregate.

Finals

More information Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, 1–5 ...
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen1–5Cercle Brugge
 Report
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Patro Stadion, Maasmechelen
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Nicolas Laforge
More information Cercle Brugge, 3–1 ...
Cercle Brugge3–1Patro Eisden Maasmechelen
 Report
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Attendance: 7,932
Referee: Wim Smet

Cercle Brugge won 8–2 on aggregate.

Season statistics

Top scorers

As of 18 April 2025.[13]

Note that following the bankruptcy of Deinze on 11 December, all goals made in matches involving Deinze were removed as these matches were voided.[8]

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Belgium Jelle Vossen Zulte Waregem 15
2 Algeria Mouhamed Belkheir La Louvière 14
Belgium Lennart Mertens Beveren
4 Haiti Mondy Prunier Francs Borains 10
5 South Africa Shandre Campbell Club NXT 9
Poland Piotr Parzyszek RWD Molenbeek
7 Belgium Simon Bammens Patro Eisden Maasmechelen 8
Belgium Lenn De Smet Club NXT
Belgium Kaye Furo Club NXT
Mali Mohamed Guindo La Louvière
France Ryan Merlen RFC Liège
France Samuel Ntamack Lokeren-Temse
Belgium Mathis Servais Beveren
Belgium Keano Vanrafelghem Patro Eisden Maasmechelen
7 Comoros Bryan Adinany Lierse 7
9 Belgium Lynnt Audoor Club NXT 7
France Flavio Da Silva RFC Liège
Cyprus Stavros Gavriil Zulte Waregem
Turkey Emrehan Gedikli Eupen
Japan Keisuke Goto RSCA Futures
Belgium Robin Mirisola Jong Genk
Belgium Mohamed Salah Lommel
Scotland Robbie Ure RSCA Futures
Morocco Ilyes Ziani RWD Molenbeek
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6 goals (6 players)
5 goals (6 players)
4 goals (15 players)
3 goals (25 players)
2 goals (37 players)
1 goal (86 players)
1 own goal (10 players)

Number of teams by provinces

More information Number of teams, Province or region ...
Number of teams Province or region Team(s)
3 East FlandersBeveren, Deinze and Lokeren-Temse
LiègeEupen, RFC Liège and Seraing
LimburgJong Genk, Lommel and Patro Eisden Maasmechelen
2 BrusselsRSCA Futures and RWD Molenbeek
HainautFrancs Borains and La Louvière
West FlandersClub NXT and Zulte Waregem
1 AntwerpLierse
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Attendances

More information #, Club ...
#ClubAverageHighest
1Zulte-Waregem5,81811,799
2RWDM3,0054,954
3Lokeren2,9556,300
4Lierse2,8244,429
5Beveren2,8134,800
6RAAL2,7454,756
7Liège2,4483,203
8Eupen1,5892,395
9Lommel1,3482,697
10Francs Borains1,3122,886
11Deinze1,1252,925
12Patro Eisden1,0711,730
13Seraing8142,232
14Club NXT5541,706
15Jong Genk505852
16RSCA Futures4611,333
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Source:[14]

Notes

References

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