Belgium First Amateur Division

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DateRHome v Away-
02/16 14:00 22 RAEC Mons v Union Saint Gilloise II View
02/16 14:00 22 Standard Liege II v RRC Stockay-Warfusee View
02/16 14:00 22 OH Leuven II v Hoogstraten VV View
02/16 14:00 22 Royal Knokke v KVK Ninove View
02/22 17:00 23 Antwerp II v Royal Cappellen View
02/22 18:30 23 KFC Merelbeke v Gent II View
02/22 19:00 23 K Lyra-Lierse Berlaar v Dessel Sport View
02/22 19:00 23 KVK Ninove v KSK Heist View
02/22 19:00 23 Hoogstraten VV v KVV Thes Sport View
02/23 14:00 23 Tienen v OH Leuven II View
02/23 14:00 23 Cercle Brugge Reserves v Sporting Hasselt View
02/23 14:00 23 Belisia Bilzen SV v Royal Knokke View
03/08 18:30 24 Dessel Sport v Belisia Bilzen SV View
03/08 18:30 24 Gent II v KVK Ninove View
03/08 18:30 24 KFC Merelbeke v KVV Thes Sport View
03/08 19:00 24 Sporting Hasselt v Tienen View
03/08 19:00 24 KSK Heist v Hoogstraten VV View
03/09 14:00 24 Royal Cappellen v K Lyra-Lierse Berlaar View
03/09 14:00 24 Royal Knokke v Cercle Brugge Reserves View
03/09 14:00 24 OH Leuven II v Antwerp II View
03/15 17:00 25 Antwerp II v KFC Merelbeke View
03/15 19:00 25 Hoogstraten VV v Dessel Sport View
03/15 19:00 25 KVK Ninove v Sporting Hasselt View
03/15 19:00 25 K Lyra-Lierse Berlaar v KSK Heist View
03/15 19:30 25 KVV Thes Sport v OH Leuven II View
03/16 14:00 25 Tienen v Royal Knokke View
03/16 14:00 25 Cercle Brugge Reserves v Royal Cappellen View
03/16 14:00 25 Belisia Bilzen SV v Gent II View
03/22 18:30 26 Dessel Sport v KVK Ninove View
03/22 18:30 26 KFC Merelbeke v Belisia Bilzen SV View

Wikipedia - Belgian Division 1

The Belgian Division 1 is a semi-professional division and the third-highest division in the Belgian football league system, one level below the Challenger Pro League. It was created by the Royal Belgian Football Association in 2016, coming in at the third level and pushing all divisions one level down. Initially it was known as the Belgian First Amateur Division, but due to the negative connotation of the word amateur the league was renamed to Belgian National Division 1 from the 2019–20 season onwards. Then, from the 2024–25 season, a split was made into two separate divisions, with the teams holding a Flemish license and those playing with a Francophone license now playing in separate divisions within the league. The Flemish division consists of 18 teams and is referred to as the Eerste Afdeling VV, the Francophone division only contains 12 teams and is called Division 1 ACFF.

History

The Belgian First Amateur Division was created in 2016 following an overhaul of the Belgian football league system which saw the number of professional clubs reduced to 24. As a result, from the third level and below only amateur clubs remain. The two remaining levels above the Belgian Provincial leagues were reformed into three amateur levels, namely the Belgian First Amateur Division, the Belgian Second Amateur Division and the Belgian Third Amateur Division. As a result, the Belgian Provincial Leagues dropped to the sixth level of the league system.

In 2020 the levels were renamed to Belgian National Division 1, Belgian Division 2 and Belgian Division 3 respectively. In 2022–23, the league was temporarily expanded to 20 teams but reduced again to 18 teams from 2023–24. From the 2024–25 season, the league was expanded to 28 teams but split into two separate divisions of 18 (Flemish) and 12 (Francophone) teams.

The Belgium First Amateur Division, known as "Eerste Amateur" in Dutch and "Première Amateur" in French, is a prominent semi-professional soccer league in Belgium. Established as the third tier of the Belgian football league system, it serves as a crucial platform for clubs aspiring to ascend to the higher echelons of Belgian football, specifically the Pro League and the Challenger Pro League.

The tournament features a competitive format, with teams from across the country vying for promotion and striving to establish themselves as the best in the division. Clubs in the First Amateur Division are often a mix of historic teams with rich traditions and newer clubs looking to make their mark. The league is known for its passionate fan base, vibrant matchday atmospheres, and the development of local talent.

Each season, teams compete in a round-robin format, with points awarded for wins and draws. The top teams at the end of the season earn the opportunity for promotion, while the lower-ranked teams face the threat of relegation to the lower divisions. The league not only showcases the skill and determination of players but also emphasizes the importance of community and local pride in Belgian football.

With its blend of competitive spirit, emerging talent, and deep-rooted football culture, the Belgium First Amateur Division plays a vital role in the landscape of Belgian soccer, making it an exciting tournament for players, clubs, and fans alike.