Last updated : Thursday, 27 June 2024
Introduction
Division 1 is the third tier of the Dutch football league system. It is a nationwide league consisting of 20 teams, divided into two groups of 10. The season runs from August to May, with each team playing each other team twice, once at home and once away.
The top two teams in each group are promoted to the Tweede Divisie, while the bottom two teams in each group are relegated to the Eerste Klasse.
The current champions of Division 1 are VV Katwijk, who won the title in the 2022-23 season.
History
Division 1 was first introduced in the 2016-17 season, as a replacement for the Topklasse. The Topklasse was the highest amateur league in the Netherlands, but it was abolished due to financial difficulties faced by some of the clubs.
The first champions of Division 1 were Quick '20, who won the title in the inaugural season.
Promotion and relegation
The top two teams in each group of Division 1 are promoted to the Tweede Divisie, while the bottom two teams in each group are relegated to the Eerste Klasse.
In addition, the 16th-placed team in each group of the Tweede Divisie can be relegated to Division 1 if they fail to meet certain criteria, such as having a suitable stadium.
