Jupiler League Overview

The Juplier League is the Belgian First Division and is the most important football competition in Belgium. Established in 1895 it is considered one of the oldest football leagues in Europe. There are currently 18 teams that compete in the Juplier: R.S.C. Anderlecht, Cercle Brugge K.S.V., R. Charleroi S.C., Club Brugge K.V., Dender EH, K.R.C. Genk, K.A.A. Gent, K.F.C. Germinal BeerschoT, K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen, Y.R. K.V. Mechelen, F.C. Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek, R.A.E.C. Mons, R.E. Mouscron, K.S.V. Roeselare, K. Sint-Truidense V.V., R. Standard de Liege, K.V.C. Westerlo, S.V. Zulte-Waregem.

League Ranking

Juplier History

The Jupiler League was created in 1895 with the participation of 7 teams with the original name of “Coupe de Championnat.” The first 7 teams were Antwerp F.C., F.C. Brugeois, F.C. Liegeois, R.C. de Bruxelles, Leopold Club de Bruxelles, S.C. de Bruxelles, and Union d’Ixelles. By the 1888-1899 season, Belgium had two professional football leagues until 1905 when the two leagues merged and was renamed Division I.

In 1906 the Belgian football league introduced the relegation/promotion system with the creation of the Second Division League and the number of teams began to increase as the years passed. In 1926 the Belgian League was renamed Division d’Honneur and the decade was dominated by the club team Raymond Braine that won its first 5 titles.

The seasons 1939-40 and 1940-41 were suspended because the Nazi troops were taking over Belgium. The Belgian First Division started again in 1941 with Liersche S.K. second title. In 1947 Belgian football legend Jef Marmans helped his team R.S.C. Anderlechtois to win its first league championship and led Anderlechtois to win 7 league titles.

Belgian League Format

The Belgian First Division operates with a classic league format. Each of the 18 teams plays each other home and away. There are 34 match days of 9 games in the Jupiler League that are played between August and May. If two clubs end up with the same amount of points by the end of the season, the team with the most wins is crowned champion. If both clubs have the same amount of points and wins, these two teams play an extra match to determine the league champion. The lowest placed team by the end of the season is relegated to the second division and the winner of that division takes the place of the relegated team.

Jupiler League Trophies

The Jupiler League has been dominated by R.S.C. Anderlecht that has won 29 league titles, followed by Club Brugge K.V. with 13 championships.

29 wins: R.S.C. Anderlecht
13 wins: Club Brugge
11 wins: R. Union Saint-Gilloise
8 wins: Standard Liège
7 wins: Beerschot
6 wins: Racing de Bruxelles
5 wins: Daring de Bruxelles, R.F.C. Liégeois
4 wins: R. Antwerp F.C., K.V. Mechelen, K. Lierse S.K.
3 wins: Cercle Brugge K.S.V.
2 wins: K.S.K. Beveren, K.R.C. Genk
1 win: R.W.D. Molenbeek

Recognition and Awards

Most League Goals of All Time

Most League Appearances

League Management

• RBFA President: Francois De Keersmaecker
  
• RBFA Vice President : Jean Pierre Notelteirs

Sponsors

InBev Brewery

Important Links

References

http://www.footbel.be