The 71st season of the Netherlands' second-tier football league
In short: The Eerste Divisie is preparing for its 71st campaign. Known commercially as the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, this competition represents the second tier of professional football in the Netherlands, serving as the critical bridge between regional competition and the top-flight Eredivisie.
The 2026–27 Eerste Divisie marks a significant milestone in Dutch football history, representing the 71st season since the league's formal establishment in 1956. While it functions as the second tier of the national football pyramid, it is widely recognized by its sponsorship name, the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. This upcoming iteration celebrates over seven decades of professional competition. Since its inception in 1956, the league has remained a cornerstone of the national sporting landscape.
The composition of the league is determined by the outcomes of the preceding season. For the 2026–27 campaign, the league will consist of exactly 20 clubs. This roster is formed by a combination of long-term participants and newcomers: 17 clubs will remain from the 2025–26 Eerste Divisie season, while 3 clubs will enter the competition following relegation from the 2025–26 Eredivisie. The total number of participating teams remains fixed at twenty. This specific group comprises seventeen returning sides alongside three newly arrived clubs. These newcomers arrive directly from the top-flight Eredivisie following their recent relegation.
This structure ensures a constant flow of talent and competition between the tiers. The league acts as a vital testing ground for clubs striving to ascend to the Eredivisie, maintaining a high level of professional play within the Dutch footballing ecosystem. Such a system facilitates movement throughout the entire footballing pyramid. It ensures that the transition between different levels of play remains seamless.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2026–27 Eerste Divisie
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