2025–26 Eerste Divisie

Eerste Divisie
Season2025–26
Dates8 August 2025 – 24 April 2026
Matches262
Goals854 (3.26 per match)
Top goalscorerRomano Postema
(17 goals)
Biggest home winEmmen 6–0 Eindhoven
(11 October 2025)
Roda JC Kerkrade 6–0 Den Bosch
(17 October 2025)
Biggest away winJong AZ 0–4 ADO Den Haag
(3 October 2025)
Eindhoven 0–4 Vitesse
(17 October 2025)
Vitesse 0–4 Cambuur
(7 November 2025)
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
Dordrecht
Eindhoven
MVV Maastricht
Jong AZ
TOP Oss
Jong Ajax
2026–27
All statistics correct as of 16 February 2026.

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.

Teams

A total of 19 teams take part in the league: 16 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]

Stadiums and locations

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

Number of teams by provinces

Number of teams Province Team(s)
7 North Brabant Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Helmond Sport, Jong PSV, RKC Waalwijk, TOP Oss, Willem II
3 Limburg MVV Maastricht, Roda JC, VVV-Venlo
2 Gelderland De Graafschap, Vitesse
North Holland Jong Ajax, Jong AZ
South Holland ADO Den Haag, Dordrecht
1 Drenthe Emmen
Flevoland Almere City
Friesland Cambuur
Utrecht Jong FC Utrecht

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.

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[a] 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 Spain Óscar García 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
  1. ^ Poortvliet is the interim manager until the official manager Maurice Verberne has returned from an injury sustained during a training session.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 ADO Den Haag[a] (X) 26 19 2 5 65 29 +36 59 Promotion to the Eredivisie
2 Cambuur (X) 24 16 5 3 52 27 +25 53
3 De Graafschap 27 13 6 8 51 41 +10 45 Qualification for promotion play-offs
4 Jong PSV 27 13 4 10 55 50 +5 43 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
5 Roda JC Kerkrade 27 11 9 7 45 41 +4 42 Qualification for promotion play-offs
6 Willem II 26 11 7 8 35 35 0 40
7 Dordrecht 27 11 7 9 38 36 +2 40
8 Almere City 26 12 3 11 53 42 +11 39
9 RKC Waalwijk 27 10 7 10 44 42 +2 37
10 Den Bosch 27 11 4 12 47 49 −2 37
11 VVV-Venlo 27 11 3 13 37 41 −4 36
12 Jong FC Utrecht 26 8 9 9 45 47 −2 33 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
13 Helmond Sport 27 9 5 13 34 45 −11 32
14 Eindhoven 26 9 4 13 36 47 −11 31
15 MVV Maastricht 27 8 6 13 32 53 −21 30
16 Emmen 24 8 5 11 40 45 −5 29
17 Jong AZ 27 9 2 16 47 53 −6 29 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
18 TOP Oss 27 6 8 13 33 47 −14 26
19 Vitesse[b] 27 9 9 9 41 42 −1 24
20 Jong Ajax 26 4 7 15 34 52 −18 19 Reserve teams are not eligible to be promoted to the Eredivisie
Updated to match(es) played on 16 February 2026. 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]
(X) Assured of at least promotion play-offs
Notes:
  1. ^ Winner of the First and Second Period (Rounds 1–10 and 11–20)
  2. ^ 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

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 6 Apr 2–1 3–2 2–0 3 Apr 1–4 1–2 17 Mar 3–0 17 Apr 4–0 5–1 0–0 27 Feb 5–1
Almere City 7 Mar 1–1 6 Apr 17 Apr 5–0 4–2 2–0 0–1 3–2 1–3 2–4 4–0 4–0 17 Mar 1–2 3 Apr 2–2 3–0 0–1
Cambuur 2–0 3 Mar 2–1 6 Apr 24 Feb 3–2 2–0 0–0 4–1 20 Mar 5–3 8 Mar 4–0 20 Feb 13 Mar 1–0 24 Apr 3–1 2–2
Den Bosch 24 Apr 5–2 10 Apr 3–3 2–1 1–1 1–2 1–0 2–0 2–3 16 Mar 3 Apr 1–2 2–2 27 Feb 5–2 2–0 0–1 2–1
Dordrecht 12 Apr 0–1 1–0 3–2 3–4 1–0 1–1 3–0 20 Feb 1–1 1–2 1–2 6 Mar 1–2 3 Apr 17 Mar 1–1 2–0 24 Apr
Eindhoven 0–1 21 Feb 3–3 1–3 2–2 28 Mar 3 Apr 24 Apr 6 Mar 3–2 4–0 1–0 5–0 1–0 10 Apr 3–4 0–4 0–1 0–2
Emmen 13 Mar 1–4 24 Mar 3–1 2–0 6–0 24 Apr 4–1 23 Feb 4–2 20 Feb 3 Mar 6 Apr 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 20 Mar 27 Feb
De Graafschap 22 Mar 3–2 17 Apr 1–1 14 Mar 2–0 2–3 3–1 4–0 6 Apr 3–2 20 Feb 0–1 2–4 2–3 1–1 8 Mar 3–2 1–1
Helmond Sport 20 Feb 2–1 16 Mar 2–0 1–2 1–0 2–0 0–0 2–1 4–2 2–3 2–1 2–4 6 Apr 1–3 6 Mar 2–2 17 Apr 2–2
Jong Ajax 1–3 20 Mar 1–2 13 Mar 0–0 1–3 0–1 2–2 27 Feb 4–1 2–2 24 Apr 0–0 0–2 2–2 13 Apr 2–0 2–4 2–1
Jong AZ 0–4 3–4 0–1 23 Feb 1–2 0–2 9 Mar 1–3 3 Apr 1–2 13 Apr 1–4 16 Mar 2–3 24 Apr 0–1 4–0 0–2 4–0
Jong PSV 0–3 2–3 3–2 3–0 27 Feb 13 Mar 3–1 1–2 4–0 17 Apr 1–0 3–3 2–2 3–1 0–1 2–0 20 Mar 6 Apr 2–1
Jong FC Utrecht 2–2 27 Feb 2–4 3–2 20 Mar 17 Apr 1–2 2–3 13 Mar 4–3 0–0 5–3 3–1 2–0 1–3 0–0 13 Apr 2–2 1–1
MVV Maastricht 3–4 1–1 0–1 2–4 0–1 3–1 1–0 27 Feb 10 Apr 2–1 1–3 2–1 2–2 3 Apr 0–0 24 Apr 3–2 13 Mar 22 Mar
RKC Waalwijk 1–3 2–0 4–2 21 Mar 1–1 27 Feb 10 Apr 1–4 1–1 2–1 13 Mar 24 Apr 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 17 Apr 1–0 20 Mar 3–3 2–3 6 Mar 1–1 22 Feb 1–4 1–2 16 Mar 2–2 6 Apr
TOP Oss 3–4 1–2 27 Feb 17 Apr 0–3 20 Mar 4–0 2–3 0–3 1–1 0–3 1–1 6 Apr 4–0 0–0 1–2 1–2 2–1 13 Mar
Vitesse 2–1 13 Mar 0–4 1–2 1–2 1–1 3 Apr 1–2 3–1 6 Apr 27 Feb 3–1 2–0 17 Apr 2–1 2–2 0–0 2–2 1–2
VVV-Venlo 0–3 24 Apr 3 Apr 0–1 3–1 1–0 4–0 11 Apr 2–1 17 Mar 1–3 0–2 0–1 1–0 6 Mar 3–1 20 Feb 1–2 0–2
Willem II 24 Feb 12 Apr 0–1 8 Mar 2–0 0–1 1–1 28 Mar 1–0 1–0 17 Apr 3 Apr 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–2 1–1 20 Feb 2–1
Updated to match(es) played on 16 February 2026. Source: Flashscore
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Season statistics

As of 16 February 2026

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals[10]
1 Netherlands Romano Postema Emmen 17
2 Netherlands Reuven Niemeijer De Graafschap 15
3 Republic of the Congo Kevin Monzialo Den Bosch 14
Netherlands Devin Haen Willem II
Netherlands Robin van Duiven Jong PSV
6 Czech Republic Yannick Eduardo Dordrecht 12
Curaçao Anthony van den Hurk Roda JC Kerkrade
Netherlands Julian Rijkhoff Almere City
9 Netherlands Bouke Boersma De Graafschap 11
10 Netherlands Jari Vlak ADO Den Haag 10
Austria Luka Reischl ADO Den Haag
Germany Maik Lukowicz Helmond Sport

References

  1. ^ "Vitesse is geen profclub meer: 'Niemand kan geloven dat de stekker eruit gaat'". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  2. ^ Pascoe, Robin (2025-08-01). "Dutch FA upholds decision to withdraw Vitesse licence". DutchNews.nl. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  3. ^ Sportredactie (2025-08-01). "KNVB: keuze voor doorstart in amateurvoetbal is aan Vitesse zelf, periodetitels KKD gaan ook anders" [KNVB: choice for continuation in amateur football is for Vitesse, period titled KKD will also be different.]. De Gelderlander (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  4. ^ "Succes voor Vitesse bij de rechter: club moet worden toegelaten tot eerste divisie". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  5. ^ "Eerste divisie verwacht Jong AZ-Vitesse op 12 september, periodewinnaar wordt later bekend". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  6. ^ "Team Rockstars IT nieuwe mouwsponsor Ajax" [Team Rockstars IT new sleeve sponsor Ajax]. ajax.nl (in Dutch). 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  7. ^ "No More Nike: FC Utrecht Castore Deal Confirmed". Footy Headlines. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Beroepscommissie: Beroep van Vitesse tegen uitspraak licentiecommissie ongegrond" [Appeals Commission: Vitesse's appeal against decision of the licensing commission unfounded] (in Dutch). 9 July 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Reglementen betaald voetbal seizoen 2025-26" [Regulations professional football season 2025-26] (in Dutch). KNVB. July 2025.
  10. ^ "Spelerstatistieken" [Player statistics] (in Dutch). Keuken Kampioen Divisie. Retrieved 18 January 2026.