 | |
| Organising body | Divisionsforeningen |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1945 |
| Country | Denmark |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Number of clubs | 12 (since2012–13) |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | Superliga |
| Relegation to | 2nd Division |
| Domestic cup | Danish Cup |
| Current champions | OB (2024–25) |
| Broadcaster(s) | Viaplay |
| Website | 1-division.dk |
| Current:2025–26 Danish 1st Division | |
| Danish football league structure |
|---|
| Superliga (Tier 1) |
| 1st Division (Tier 2) |
| 2nd Division (Tier 3) |
| 3rd Division (Tier 4) |
| Denmark Series (Tiers 5) |
| Copenhagen Series –Funen Series –Jutland Series –Zealand Series (Tier 6) |
| Series 1 (Tier 7) |
| Series 2 (Tier 8) |
| Series 3 (Tier 9) |
| Series 4 (Tier 10) |
| Series 5 (Tier 11) |
The1st Division (1. Division) is the second-highestfootball league inDenmark, also known asBetinia Liga for sponsorship reasons. From 1945 to 1991, the 1. Division was the name of the highest level offootball in Denmark. With the formation of theDanish Superliga, the 1st Division became the second tier of Danish football. While all the teams in the Superliga are full-time professional the 1. Division has a mixture of full-time professional and semi-professional teams.
The top-ranking teams each year winpromotion to the Superliga, while the bottom finishers getrelegated to theDanish 2nd Division.
Viaplay broadcasts all matches from the league.[1]
AfterWorld War II the format of the top-flight football division in Denmark, the "Championship League", where reverted with the tournament now named the "1st Division".[2] There were 10 teams in the top division once again, playing each other twice, with the lowest team beingrelegated.[3] The 1953–54 season saw the first non-Copenhagen team win the Danish championship, whenKøge Boldklub won the title.[4] The championship title was not reclaimed by a Copenhagen team in more than ten years, untilAkademisk Boldklub (AB) won the 1967 season.
From 1958, the Danish championship was arranged through one calendar year,[2] and the 1956–57 season lasted 18 months with the teams playing each other thrice for a 27 games total.[5] From 1958 to 1974, the tournament was expanded to 12 teams,[2] playing each other twice for 22 games per season each, but now the bottom two teams faced relegation.[6] The number of teams was increased to 16 for the 1975 season,[2] which resulted in 30 games per season.[7] In 1986, the number of participants was altered once more, this time decreasing the number of teams to 14,[2] and the number of games to 26.[8]
In 1991, the Danish Superliga was created.[2] This meant the 1st Division became the second-highest league. Together with the Superliga introduction the best Danish leagues changed back to autumn-spring seasons.
In 1996, the 1st Division had its first name sponsor, as the league received the official name "Faxe Kondi Divisionen" after main sponsorFaxe Brewery. The sponsor deal ended in 2001, but from 2004 to mid-2007 it was named "Viasat Sport Divisionen". The "Sport" was omitted upon the closing of theViasat Sport-channels in Denmark, and the opening of TV 2 Sport. The sponsorship finally ended prior to the start of the 2010–11 season.
Former 1st Division logos:
| Club | Finishing position last season | First season of current spell in 1st Division |
|---|---|---|
| Esbjerg fB | 1st in2nd Division | 2024–25 |
| FC Fredericia | 5th | 2001–02 |
| Hillerød | 7th | 2022–23 |
| Hobro IK | 4th | 2020–21 |
| AC Horsens | 8th | 2023–24 |
| Hvidovre IF | 12th inSuperliga | 2024–25 |
| Kolding IF | 3rd | 2023–24 |
| HB Køge | 10th | 2012–13 |
| OB | 11th inSuperliga | 2024–25 |
| FC Roskilde | 2nd in2nd Division | 2024–25 |
| Vendsyssel FF | 6th | 2019–20 |
| B.93 | 9th | 2023–24 |
From 1945 to 1991, 1st Division was the top league of Danish football until the creation of theDanish Superliga.
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1945–46 | B93 (1) |
| 1946–47 | AB (1) |
| 1947–48 | KB (1) |
| 1948–49 | KB (2) |
| 1949–50 | KB (3) |
| 1950–51 | AB (2) |
| 1951–52 | AB (3) |
| 1952–53 | KB (4) |
| 1953–54 | Køge BK (1) |
| 1954–55 | AGF (1) |
| 1955–56 | AGF (2) |
| 1956–57 | AGF (3) |
| 1958 | Vejle Boldklub (1) |
| 1959 | B1909 (1) |
| 1960 | AGF (4) |
| 1961 | Esbjerg fB (1) |
| 1962 | Esbjerg fB (2) |
| 1963 | Esbjerg fB (3) |
| 1964 | B1909 (2) |
| 1965 | Esbjerg fB (4) |
| 1966 | Hvidovre IF (1) |
| 1967 | AB (4) |
| 1968 | KB (5) |
| 1969 | B1903 (1) |
| 1970 | B1903 (2) |
| 1971 | Vejle Boldklub (2) |
| 1972 | Vejle Boldklub (3) |
| 1973 | Hvidovre IF (2) |
| 1974 | KB (6) |
| 1975 | Køge BK (2) |
| 1976 | B1903 (3) |
| 1977 | OB (1) |
| 1978 | Vejle Boldklub (4) |
| 1979 | Esbjerg fB (5) |
| 1980 | KB (7) |
| 1981 | Hvidovre IF (3) |
| 1982 | OB (2) |
| 1983 | Lyngby BK (1) |
| 1984 | Vejle Boldklub (5) |
| 1985 | Brøndby IF (1) |
| 1986 | AGF (5) |
| 1987 | Brøndby IF (2) |
| 1988 | Brøndby IF (3) |
| 1989 | OB (3) |
| 1990 | Brøndby IF (4) |
After 1990, 1st Division became the second-tier league of Danish football after the creation ofDanish Superliga.
(in Danish)| National teams |
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