The 2024–25 Belgian Division 2 is scheduled to be the ninth season of the division in its current format, placed at the fourth-tier of football in Belgium.
Team changes From this season on, the two VV divisions were reduced from 18 to 16 teams, resulting in four fewer teams entering the division than leaving it.
In The champions from each of the four divisions of the 2023–24 Belgian Division 3 were directly promoted: Westhoek (VV A), Termien (VV B), Onhaye (ACFF A) and Union Hutoise (ACFF B). Also promoted via promotion play-offs were Aywaille, Berg en Dal, Crossing Schaerbeek, Habay-la-Neuve, Manageoise, Ostiches-Ath, Raeren-Eynatten, Pelt, Roeselare and Wellen. To increase the number of U23 teams in this division: Seraing II were also promoted from the Belgian Division 3, and Eupen U23, Jong STVV and Jong Westerlo came over from the U23 leagues.
Out While Eendracht Aalst became champions of the VV A division, the club was not awarded a license and hence relegated to the Belgian Provincial Leagues. Ninove was promoted from the VV A division to take up the vacated promotion spot by Eendracht Aalst. Belisia Bilzen was promoted to the 2023–24 Belgian National Division 1 as champion of the VV B division. Mons was promoted as champion of the ACFF division. Also promoted via promotion play-offs were Binche, Hasselt, Jong Cercle, Lyra-Lierse Berlaar, Merelbeke, Rochefort, Tournai and Tubize-Braine. Extra available spots at the division above were filled by Stockay and Union SG B. City Pirates, Hamoir, Londerzeel, Mandel United, Overijse, Rebecq and Wetteren were all directly relegated to the 2024–25 Belgian Division 3 based on their finishing position. Finally, Warnant voluntarily restarted at the bottom of the Belgian football pyramid.
Division switch The initial proposition placed Houtvenne together with Jong Westerlo in the VV B division, with Houtvenne cooperating strongly with Westerlo (having loaned several players over the last few seasons), other clubs objected and insisted Houtvenne and the U23 team of Westerlo would be placed in different division to avoid any probability of matchfixing. As a result, Jong Westerlo moved to the VV A division, swapping places with Jong KV Mechelen.https://www.instagram.com/p/C74Qck9I7xI/
Belgian Division 2 VV A
League table
Period champions First period: Roeselare (24 Points) Second period: Roeselare (22 Points) Third period: Oostkamp (26 Points)
Results
Belgian Division 2 VV B
League table
Period champions First period: Rupel Boom (23 Points) Second period: Termien (23 Points) Third period: Houtvenne (26 Points)
Results
Belgian Division 2 ACFF
League table
Period champions First period: Meux (24 Points) Second period: Crossing Schaerbeek (26 Points) Third period: Crossing Schaerbeek (28 Points)
Results
Promotion play-offs VV The promotion play-offs are contested by eight teams, from each division four teams: the team finishing second overall plus the three period champions. In case one or more periods are won by the eventual champion (already promoted) or by the same club, then the best ranked team that has not already qualified will take its place. Furthermore, any team not eligible (for instance due to not receiving a licence) will not be eligible to take place and the next best ranked team will take its spot.
Qualified teams: Diegem Sport (highest place eligible finisher (3rd) not directly qualified from division VV B) Harelbeke (2nd highest place eligible finisher (3rd) not directly qualified from division VV A) Jong Essevee (3rd highest place eligible finisher (7th) not directly qualified from division VV A) Jong KV Mechelen (2nd highest place eligible finisher (5th) not directly qualified from division VV B) Racing Mechelen (3rd highest place eligible finisher (6th) not directly qualified from division VV B) Rupel Boom (runner-up division VV B) Zelzate (highest place eligible finisher (3rd) not directly qualified from division VV A)
Due to only three teams receiving a licence in division VV A, only seven teams took part. Diegem Sport was the lucky team to receive a bye to the second round. As only one place was available, three rounds will be needed and only the winner of the third round will be automatically promoted. The losing team of round 3 will be first in line in case another spot opens up and a third-place match is scheduled to be played for ruther ranking.
Round 1
Jong Essevee, Harelbeke, and Zelzate qualified for the VV second-round promotion play-offs, Diegem automatically qualified after receiving a bye in the first round
Round 2
Placing 3rd/4th
The match between Jong Essevee and Harelbeke was cancelled as it was unlikely that extra promotion spots would become available, making this match useless.
Placing 1st/2nd
Diegem was promoted. Because Jong Genk was ultimately not relegated to the Division 1, KVV Zelzate was also promoted to Division 1.
ACFF The promotion play-offs on ACFF-side are contested by four teams: the team finishing second overall plus the three period champions. In case one or more periods are won by the eventual champion (already promoted), the runner-up, or by the same club, then the best ranked team that has not already qualified will take its place. Furthermore, any team not eligible (for instance due to not receiving a licence) will not be eligible to take place and the next best ranked team will take its spot.
Qualified teams: Meux (runner-up) Onhaye (highest place eligible finisher (3rd) not directly qualified) Verviérs (2nd highest place eligible finisher (4th) not directly qualified) Habay-la-Neuve (3rd highest place eligible finisher (5th) not directly qualified)
As this season there were no teams from ACFF-side relegation from the 2024–25 Challenger Pro League, two extra teams need to be promoted. As a result, the two first round winners will be promoted. The ACFF has scheduled both a final and 3rd-place match to be played, but it is unlikely that either of these matches will be played as at the time of the draw it was quite unlikely a third team could possibly be promoted.
Semi-final
Habay-la-Neuve and Meux are promoted. The final and third-place match are scheduled to determine the order in case extra promotion spots become available.
Placing 3rd/4th
Placing 1st/2nd
Relegation play-off At this level of the football pyramid, there is only a relegation playoff on the VV-side, with the two teams finishing 14th playing each other.
Gullegem remain in Belgian Division 2, while Lille United are relegated to Belgian Division 3.
References