Dutch League Eredivisie: rules, standing and winners

The top Dutch football league, the Eredivisie, is one of the most important football leagues in Europe. Many fans follow Dutch football matches. But how does the Dutch soccer league work? From the regulation of the standings to European qualifiers and relegations, from the calendar of days to the golden register and championships in Holland, here you will find everything you need to know about the Dutch football championship, called the Eredivisie. On our website you will also find the special guide on the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, here are two betting sites with related promotions.

Dutch league standings: rules

The Eredivisie is the top league of men’s association football in the Netherlands. The competition is internationally famous for its attractive matches characterized by many goals and because it is often played by young talents. In fact, many champions started playing in the Dutch Eredivisie championship before landing in the best clubs in Europe. The Dutch league was founded in 1956. As of the 2020-21 season, it occupies sixth place in the UEFA table. The Dutch league consists of 18 teams. as in the other major European leagues, three points are awarded for every win, one point for every draw and zero points for a defeat. 

Eredivisie, Title and European Qualifiers

Whoever scores the most points at the end of the championship wins the Scudetto. The winner of the Dutch championship qualifies for the next edition of the Champions League, directly to the group stage. The remaining places for the European club competitions are decided by play-offs which take place at the end of the season. The runners-up qualifies for the third qualifying round of the Champions League while the third-placed goes to the Conference League. The place in the Europa League instead is for the team that wins the KNVB beker, i.e. the Dutch national cup. Of course, depending on the winner of the Dutch Cup, the other positions of the formations in the playoffs may vary.

Eredivisie, the play-offs for Europe

In the playoffs for Europe they go fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. They compete in the knockout play-offs and whoever wins gains access to the Conference League.

How do relegations work in Eredivisie?

How do relegations work in the Eredivisie, the Dutch football league? The two teams that end the season in the last two places are relegated to the Eerste Divisie, the Dutch Serie B, while the third from bottom will be included in the promotion/relegation playoffs together with six other teams from the second division for a place in the Dutch Serie A.

Dutch Eredivisie league: how the calendar works

Each team meets all other teams twice during the season, once at home and once away.

How many matchdays are there in the Dutch league?

The gameweeks of the Dutch championship are 34, 17 of the first round and 17 of the second round. Then, at the end of the championship, the play-offs for the European cups and for the last place in the Dutch series are played.

Who has won the most league titles in the Netherlands?

Ajax is the team that has won the most championships in the Netherlands, 36. PSV follows with 24 titles. Feyenoord is third with 15 league titles.

Eredivisie standings table LIVE

Dutch championship, the roll of honor