Netherlands - Eerste Divisie

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The Eerste Divisie, previously known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship reasons, is Netherlands’ second-tier league competition. This league began in 1956 and sits behind the Eredivise but ahead of Tweede Divisie in the division pyramid.

A total of 20 teams compete in this league, which is your typical double round-robin tournament, with each club playing the other 19 both home and away. The side that finishes the season in first place are declared the champions and get automatic promotion to the Eredivisie. While Eerste Divisie has a relegation system, teams who finish last haven't always dropped to the third division.

After the season ends, the Nacompetitie begins, which is a promotion/relegation playoff. Eight teams from this league and the sides placed 16th and 17th in the Eredivisie that same season battle it out for a spot in the first division. The two top-flight sides, as well as four Eerste Divisie clubs, get a bye to the second round while the other four enter the playoff in the first round. The playoff consists of two brackets, with the winner of each bracket getting to play in the Eredivisie the following season.

On April 24, 2020, the Dutch FA canceled the 2019/20 season for all the divisions in the Netherlands due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was the first time that the Eerste Divisie title wasn't awarded to any club, nor did any team get promoted to the top flight as the campaign was declared null and void.