Belgian League
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| Country | Belgium |
|---|---|
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Belgian First Division B |
| Domestic cup(s) |
Belgian Cup Belgian Supercup |
| International cup(s) |
Champions League Europa League |
| Current champions |
Club Brugge KV (2015–16) |
| Most championships | Anderlecht (33 titles) |
| TV partners |
Telenet VOO Proximus TV Vtm\RTBF (Highlights) |
| Website | jupilerproleague.be |
 2016–17 Belgian First Division A
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The Belgian First Division A is the top league competition for association football clubs in Belgium. Following the 2015–16 season it was renamed from the Belgian Pro League (officially known as Jupiler Pro League [Dutch pronunciation: [ˈʒypilɛr ˈproː ˈlik]]). Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Belgian First Division B. Seasons run from late July to early May, with teams playing 30 matches each in the regular season, and then entering play-offs 1 or play-offs 2 according to their position in the regular season. Play-offs 1 (also known as the title playoffs) are contested by the top 6 clubs in the regular season, with each club playing each other twice. Play-offs 2 (also known as the Europa League playoff) are contested by teams ranked 7 to 15 in the regular season, divided in two groups of 6 teams playing each other twice (three teams from the Belgian First Division B also take part in playoff 2). The team finishing in 16th place is relegated. As of 2014[update] the league was sponsored by AB InBev, brewers of Jupiler beer, and officially known as Jupiler Pro League, the sponsor name for the 2016–17 Belgian First Division A is still unknown.
The competition was created in 1895 by the Royal Belgian Football Association and was first won by FC Liégeois. Of the 74 clubs to have competed in the first division since its creation, 15 have been crowned champions of Belgium. RSC Anderlecht is the most successful league club with 33 titles, followed by Club Brugge KV (14), Union Saint-Gilloise (11) and Standard Liège (10). It is currently ranked 10th in the UEFA rankings of leagues based on performances in European competitions over the last five-years. The competition was ranked 3rd when the UEFA first published their ranking in 1979 and also the next year in 1980, which is the best ranking the Belgian First Division has ever achieved.
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