2025–26 Eerste Divisie

Football league season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2025–26 Eerste Divisie, also known as the Keuken Kampioen Divisie for sponsorship reasons, is the 70th season of the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands since its establishment in 1956.

Season2025–26
Dates8 August 2025 – 24 April 2026
ChampionsADO Den Haag
PromotedADO Den Haag
Cambuur
Willem II
Quick facts Season, Dates ...
Eerste Divisie
Season2025–26
Dates8 August 2025 – 24 April 2026
ChampionsADO Den Haag
PromotedADO Den Haag
Cambuur
Willem II
Matches380
Goals1,214 (3.19 per match)
Top goalscorerRomano Postema
(24 goals)
Biggest home winEmmen 6–0 Eindhoven
(11 October 2025)
Roda JC Kerkrade 6–0 Den Bosch
(17 October 2025)
Biggest away winMVV Maastricht 0–5 Willem II
(22 March 2026)
Highest scoringCambuur 5–3 Jong PSV
(26 September 2025)
Jong FC Utrecht 5–3 Jong PSV
(19 January 2026)
Longest winning run12 matches
ADO Den Haag
Longest unbeaten run14 matches
ADO Den Haag
Longest winless run15 matches
Jong Ajax
Longest losing run4 matches
Jong PSV
Dordrecht
Eindhoven
Jong FC Utrecht
VVV-Venlo
TOP Oss
Jong AZ
MVV Maastricht
Jong Ajax
2026–27 →
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Teams

A total of 20 teams take part in the league: 17 teams from the 2024–25 Eerste Divisie and 3 teams relegated from the 2024–25 Eredivisie. Almere City replaced 2024–25 Eerste Divisie champions Volendam after two seasons in the Eredivisie. RKC Waalwijk replaced second-placed Excelsior after six seasons in the Eredivisie. Willem II replaced Telstar following their loss in the promotion play-offs after one season in the Eredivisie.

On 31 July 2025, it was confirmed that Vitesse had lost their professional license due to financial issues, and therefore the club was not eligible to play in the Eerste Divisie.[1][2] The KNVB announced that no other team was eligible to be promoted, and as a result the competition began to be played with 19 teams. Period titles would have been decided on the first 8 or 9 matches each team played within a period, depending on whether such a period would have had 9 or 10 match days.[3]

On 3 September 2025, Vitesse won an appeal and regained their license, requiring them to be placed back in the league, and returning the league to the original 20-team rules.[4][5]

Location of teams in the 2025–26 Eerste Divisie

Stadiums and locations

More information Club, Location ...
Club Location Venue Capacity
ADO Den Haag The Hague WerkTalent Stadion 15,000
Almere City Almere Yanmar Stadion 4,501
Cambuur Leeuwarden Kooi Stadion 15,000
De Graafschap Doetinchem Stadion De Vijverberg 12,600
Den Bosch 's-Hertogenbosch Stadion De Vliert 8,713
Dordrecht Dordrecht M-Scores Stadion 4,235
Eindhoven Eindhoven Jan Louwers Stadion 4,600
Emmen Emmen De Oude Meerdijk 8,600
Helmond Sport Helmond GS Staalwerken Stadion 3,600
Jong Ajax Amsterdam Sportpark De Toekomst 2,250
Jong AZ Alkmaar AFAS Trainingscomplex 1,000
Jong PSV Eindhoven PSV Campus De Herdgang 2,500
Jong FC Utrecht Utrecht Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch 450
MVV Maastricht Maastricht Stadion De Geusselt 9,500
RKC Waalwijk Waalwijk Mandemakers Stadion 7,508
Roda JC Kerkrade Kerkrade Parkstad Limburg Stadion 19,979
TOP Oss Oss Frans Heesenstadion 4,560
Vitesse Arnhem GelreDome 21,248
VVV-Venlo Venlo Covebo Stadion - De Koel 8,000
Willem II Tilburg Koning Willem II Stadion 14,700
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Number of teams by provinces

More information Number of teams, Province ...
Number of teams Province Team(s)
7 North BrabantDen Bosch, Eindhoven, Helmond Sport, Jong PSV, RKC Waalwijk, TOP Oss, Willem II
3 LimburgMVV Maastricht, Roda JC, VVV-Venlo
2 GelderlandDe Graafschap, Vitesse
North HollandJong Ajax, Jong AZ
South HollandADO Den Haag, Dordrecht
1 DrentheEmmen
FlevolandAlmere City
FrieslandCambuur
UtrechtJong FC Utrecht
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Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information Team, President ...
Team President Manager Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsors (front) Shirt sponsors (back) Shirt sponsors (sleeves) Shorts sponsors
ADO Den Haag Netherlands Natascha van Grinsven-Admiraal

Germany Robin Peter

 Erreà Biersteker Erreà
Almere City Netherlands John Bes Netherlands Jeroen Rijsdijk Craft
Cambuur Netherlands Cees Heijboer Netherlands Henk de Jong Adidas Bouwgroep Dijkstra Draisma TanQYou, Effektief None
De Graafschap Netherlands Mart de Kruif Netherlands Marinus Dijkhuizen Robey Onverwachtehoek.nl, De DakExpert Flexfamily, Coffee Fresh SWR
Den Bosch Netherlands Tommie van Alphen Netherlands Ulrich Landvreugd Vacant Sanitairwinkel
Dordrecht Netherlands Hans de Zeeuw Netherlands Dirk Kuyt Capelli Keukenwarenhuis.nl, Energiek Dordt M-Scores
Eindhoven Netherlands Peter Bijvelds Netherlands Jan Poortvliet Macron VDL SRP Zuid
Emmen Netherlands Rinse Bleeker Netherlands Menno van Dam Hummel Vandaglas Hydrowear, Century Autolease Punt Uit
Helmond Sport Netherlands Ron van den Bekerom Netherlands Jurgen Seegers Saller Heel Helmond Sport, Dixap Vescom, Elektro Vogels
Jong Ajax Netherlands Menno Geelen Netherlands Paul Nuijten Adidas Ziggo Ziggo Sport Curaçao/ Team Rockstars IT[6]
Jong AZ Netherlands Merijn Zeeman Netherlands Frank Peereboom Nike Kansino Elfi Vastgoed Cavallaro Napoli
Jong PSV Netherlands Marcel Brands Netherlands Stijn Schaars Puma Metropoolregio Brainport Eindhoven GoodHabitz TOTO Nederlandse Loterij
Jong Utrecht Netherlands Thijs van Es Netherlands Mark Otten Castore[7] Conclusion Digital Transformation U4U Dassy
MVV Maastricht Netherlands Tom Daemen Netherlands Peter van den Berg Nike TCC, Voetbalshop Cloos For You Maak.eu
RKC Waalwijk Netherlands Willem van der Linden Netherlands Sander Duits Stanno Willy Naessens Industriebouw, JM van Delft & Zn. Mandemakers, Van Mossel Automotive Beekmans Heftrucks
Roda JC Kerkrade Netherlands Jordens Peters Belgium Kevin Van Dessel Decathlon Tribe Security, Juyst Gezond in Mijnstreek, Rutten x Welling Bijzonder Zorggroep, D&D Verhuur Woodstone
TOP Oss Netherlands Bas van Rossum Netherlands Sjors Ultee JDH Noor Sportswear, Becoss MD Stukadoors
Vitesse Henk Parren Germany Rüdiger Rehm Robey
VVV-Venlo Netherlands Guus Pennings Netherlands Peter Uneken Craft Venlo.fit VidaXL, Seacon Logistics ProToGa Beveiliging, Personato Recruitment Haa!
Willem II Netherlands Merijn Goris Netherlands John Stegeman Robey None None None None
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Managerial changes

More information Team, Outgoing manager ...
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Replaced by Date of appointment
ADO Den HaagBosnia and Herzegovina Darije KalezićEnd of contract30 June 2025Pre-seasonGermany Robin Peter14 July 2025
DordrechtNetherlands Melvin BoelSigned by Go Ahead EaglesNetherlands Dirk Kuyt1 July 2025
EmmenNetherlands Alfons ArtsMutual consentNetherlands Menno van Dam
Helmond SportNetherlands Robert MaaskantEnd of contractNetherlands Jurgen Seegers
Jong AjaxNetherlands Frank PeereboomMoved to AjaxNetherlands Willem Weijs
Jong PSVNetherlands Alfons GroenendijkEnd of contractNetherlands Stijn Schaars
Jong FC UtrechtNetherlands Ivar van DinterenEnd of contractNetherlands Mark Otten
RKC WaalwijkNetherlands Henk FraserEnd of contractNetherlands Sander Duits
Roda JC KerkradeNetherlands Bas SibumSigned by Heracles AlmeloBelgium Kevin Van Dessel
VitesseNetherlands John van den BromEnd of contractGermany Rüdiger Rehm
Willem IIBelgium Kristof Aelbrecht (a.i.)End of interim spellNetherlands John Stegeman
VVV-VenloNetherlands John LammersMutual consent11 September 202518thNetherlands Ivo Rossen (a.i.)11 September 2025
MVV MaastrichtNetherlands Edwin HermansSacked23 September 202519thBelgium Davy Heymans (a.i.)23 September 2025
VVV-VenloNetherlands Ivo Rossen (a.i.)End of interim spell30 September 20259thNetherlands Peter Uneken1 October 2025
MVV MaastrichtBelgium Davy Heymans (a.i.)End of interim spell22 October 202512thNetherlands Peter van den Berg22 October 2025
Jong AZNetherlands Lee-Roy EchteldMoved to AZ18 January 202618thNetherlands Frank Peereboom29 January 2026
Jong AjaxNetherlands Willem WeijsSacked10 February 202620thSpain Óscar García11 February 2026
EindhovenNetherlands Maurice VerberneMutual consent19 February 202614thNetherlands Jan Poortvliet (a.i.)19 February 2026
Jong AjaxSpain Óscar GarcíaMoved to Ajax8 March 202620thNetherlands Paul Nuijten9 March 2026
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League table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 ADO Den Haag[a] (C, P) 38 29 2 7 90 37 +53 89 Promotion to the Eredivisie
2 Cambuur[b] (P) 38 23 9 6 75 48 +27 78
3 Willem II[c] (O, P) 38 20 8 10 59 42 +17 68 Qualification for promotion play-offs quarterfinals
4 De Graafschap 38 18 9 11 74 58 +16 63
5 Almere City 38 18 4 16 78 63 +15 58 Qualification for promotion play-offs first round
6 RKC Waalwijk 38 16 10 12 71 59 +12 58
7 Jong PSV 38 17 5 16 66 64 +2 56 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
8 Roda JC Kerkrade 38 14 13 11 59 54 +5 55 Qualification for promotion play-offs first round
9 Den Bosch 38 14 9 15 65 69 −4 51
10 Dordrecht 38 12 11 15 48 56 −8 47
11 Eindhoven 38 14 5 19 51 69 −18 47
12 Jong FC Utrecht 38 12 10 16 58 62 −4 46 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
13 VVV-Venlo 38 13 6 19 50 58 −8 45
14 Emmen 38 12 9 17 58 72 −14 45
15 Vitesse[d] 38 15 11 12 64 55 +9 44
16 TOP Oss 38 11 11 16 54 64 −10 44
17 Jong AZ 38 12 4 22 61 76 −15 40 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
18 Helmond Sport 38 10 9 19 42 62 −20 39
19 MVV Maastricht 38 9 11 18 41 73 −32 38
20 Jong Ajax 38 9 8 21 50 73 −23 35 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
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Source: Flashscore, Keuken Kampioen Divisie (in Dutch)
Rules for classification: Season in progress: 1) Most points won; 2) Less points lost; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Head-to-head points; 6) Head-to-head goal difference; 7) Head-to-head goals scored 8) Head-to-head away goals scored 9) Alphabetical order; End of season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goals scored 7) Head-to-head away goals scored; 8) Extra match or series of matches 9) Goal difference (series of matches) 10) Goals scored (series of matches) 11) Penalty shoot-out (extra match or series of matches)[9]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. [a]
    Winner of the First and Second Period (Rounds 1–10 and 11–20)
  2. [b]
    Winner of the Third Period (Rounds 21–29)
  3. [c]
    Winner of the Fourth Period (Round 30–38)
  4. [d]
    In the previous season, Vitesse were deducted 3 points for withholding information, another 3 points due to late submission of required information, and another 6 due to previous administrative shortcomings. Vitesse appealed the decisions of the deductions of these 12 points, and due to the decision of the rejection of the appeal coming after the end of the season, the penalty was instead moved to next season.[8]

Results

More information Home \ Away, ADO ...
Home \ Away ADO ALM CAM DBO DOR EIN EMM GRA HEL JAJ JAZ JPS JUT MVV RKC RJC TOP VIT VVV WIL
ADO Den Haag 2–1 1–2 2–1 3–0 4–0 2–1 3–2 2–0 4–2 1–4 1–2 1–0 3–0 5–1 4–0 5–1 0–0 1–0 5–1
Almere City 1–0 1–1 1–2 4–1 5–0 4–2 2–0 0–1 3–2 1–3 2–4 4–0 4–0 2–2 1–2 3–2 2–2 3–0 0–1
Cambuur 2–0 3–2 2–1 1–1 2–1 3–2 2–0 0–0 4–1 3–4 5–3 1–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 3–1 2–2
Den Bosch 1–3 5–2 1–1 3–3 2–1 1–1 1–2 1–0 2–0 2–3 1–0 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–2 5–2 2–0 0–1 2–1
Dordrecht 1–0 0–1 1–0 3–2 3–4 1–0 1–1 3–0 0–1 1–1 1–2 1–2 1–1 1–2 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2
Eindhoven 0–1 3–2 3–3 1–3 2–2 1–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 3–2 4–0 1–0 5–0 1–0 1–3 3–4 0–4 0–1 0–2
Emmen 0–1 1–4 2–4 3–1 2–0 6–0 1–0 4–1 0–0 4–2 2–3 1–0 2–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 2–2 0–3
De Graafschap 1–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 2–1 2–0 2–3 3–1 4–0 5–0 3–2 1–0 0–1 2–4 2–3 1–1 1–4 3–2 1–1
Helmond Sport 1–3 2–1 0–1 2–0 1–2 1–0 2–0 0–0 2–1 4–2 2–3 2–1 2–4 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–2
Jong Ajax 1–3 0–2 1–2 3–2 0–0 1–3 0–1 2–2 5–1 4–1 2–2 0–2 0–0 0–2 2–2 1–2 2–0 2–4 2–1
Jong AZ 0–4 3–4 0–1 2–2 1–2 0–2 2–3 1–3 2–0 1–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 2–3 2–0 0–1 4–0 0–2 4–0
Jong PSV 0–3 2–3 3–2 3–0 1–1 1–2 3–1 1–2 4–0 0–1 1–0 3–3 2–2 3–1 0–1 2–0 0–2 1–0 2–1
Jong FC Utrecht 2–2 2–3 2–4 3–2 3–1 3–0 1–2 2–3 1–0 4–3 0–0 5–3 3–1 2–0 1–3 0–0 0–3 2–2 1–1
MVV Maastricht 3–4 1–1 0–1 2–4 0–1 3–1 1–0 3–3 0–0 2–1 1–3 2–1 2–2 1–3 0–0 0–2 3–2 2–1 0–5
RKC Waalwijk 1–3 2–0 4–2 2–3 1–1 2–1 5–0 1–4 1–1 2–1 2–1 4–1 2–2 1–0 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–3
Roda JC Kerkrade 0–3 2–0 1–1 6–0 1–2 0–0 2–2 1–0 1–1 3–3 2–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–2 0–1 2–2 0–1
TOP Oss 3–4 1–2 1–2 4–2 0–3 2–1 4–0 2–3 0–3 1–1 0–3 1–1 3–1 4–0 0–0 1–2 1–2 2–1 1–3
Vitesse 2–1 1–3 0–4 1–2 1–2 1–1 3–3 1–2 3–1 6–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 2–2 0–0 2–2 1–2
VVV-Venlo 0–3 3–1 3–0 0–1 3–1 1–0 4–0 3–3 2–1 0–1 1–3 0–2 0–1 1–0 0–3 3–1 1–1 1–2 0–2
Willem II 0–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 2–0 0–1 1–1 0–2 1–0 1–0 3–0 1–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–2 1–1 3–0 2–1
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Source: Flashscore
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Play-offs

All times Central European Summer Time (UTC+2)

Promotion/relegation play-offs

Bracket

First roundQuarterfinalsSemifinalFinal
3Willem II112
6RKC Waalwijk (p)112 (3)6RKC Waalwijk01116Volendam213 (4)
8Roda JC Kerkrade112 (1)3Willem II1233Willem II (p)123 (5)
5Almere City000
4De Graafschap123
5Almere City3365Almere City325
9Den Bosch202

First round

More information Roda JC Kerkrade, 1–1 ...
Roda JC Kerkrade1–1RKC Waalwijk
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More information RKC Waalwijk, 1–1 (a.e.t.) ...
RKC Waalwijk1–1 (a.e.t.)Roda JC Kerkrade
Penalties
 3–1
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2–2 on aggregate. RKC Waalwijk won 3–1 on penalties.

More information Den Bosch, 2–3 ...
Den Bosch2–3Almere City
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More information Almere City, 3–0 ...
Almere City3–0Den Bosch
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Almere City won 6–2 on aggregate.

Quarterfinals

More information RKC Waalwijk, 0–1 ...
RKC Waalwijk0–1Willem II
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More information Willem II, 1–1 ...
Willem II1–1RKC Waalwijk
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Willem II won 2−1 on aggregate.

More information Almere City, 3–1 ...
Almere City3–1De Graafschap
  • Poku 32', 77'
  • Dors 58'
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More information De Graafschap, 2–2 ...
De Graafschap2–2Almere City
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Almere City won 5−3 on aggregate.

Semifinal

More information Almere City, 0–1 ...
Almere City0–1Willem II
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More information Willem II, 2–0 ...
Willem II2–0Almere City
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Willem II won 3−0 on aggregate.

Final

More information Willem II, 1−2 ...
Willem II1−2Volendam
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Referee: Jeroen Manschot
More information Volendam, 1−2 (a.e.t.) ...
Volendam1−2 (a.e.t.)Willem II
  • Baartmans 8'
  • Stam 17'
Penalties
 4−5
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3−3 on aggregate. Willem II won on penalties.

Season statistics

Top scorers

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Club Goals[10]
1 Netherlands Romano Postema Emmen 24
2 Netherlands Reuven Niemeijer De Graafschap 20
3 Netherlands Devin Haen Willem II 18
4 Netherlands Julian Rijkhoff Almere City 17
5 Republic of the Congo Kevin Monzialo Den Bosch 16
Curaçao Anthony van den Hurk Roda JC Kerkrade
7 Netherlands Dean Zandbergen VVV-Venlo 15
8 Netherlands Jesper Uneken RKC Waalwijk 14
Netherlands Robin van Duiven Jong PSV
10 Netherlands Tim van der Leij RKC Waalwijk 13
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Discipline

References

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