All standings and results in Dutch amateur football

Dutch amateur football has a long and rich history dating back to the 19th century. During this period, football was introduced to the Netherlands by English students and expats, and quickly grew into a popular sport. Initially, football was mainly played by the elite and upper class, but soon workers and other walks of life also started playing the sport. Amateur football as we know it today, with an organized league and various levels, developed gradually over the course of the 20th century.

The current football pyramid in the Netherlands consists of different levels of competition, ranging from professional leagues such as the Eredivisie to regional amateur divisions at the local level. This structure has been established over the past few decades and is constantly subject to adjustments and changes.

An important milestone in the development of the current football pyramid was the establishment of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) in 1889. This was the first national football association in the Netherlands and aimed to organize and promote the sport. In the early years, no national competitions were organized, but regional tournaments were held in which clubs from different cities and regions played against each other.

In the 1920s, the first national amateur football championship was organized. This championship was won by RKSV Nuenen, a club from Brabant. In the years that followed, more and more competitions were set up, including the Tweede Divisie in 1956 and the Topklasse in 2010.

The KNVB uses a structured district system for the division of competitions in the Netherlands. The district system is designed to minimize geographic proximity and travel distances between teams, while maintaining a fair and competitive balance.

Outside of national football, the Netherlands is divided into six districts: North, East, West I, West II, South I and South II. Each district has its own league organization, board members, and competition approach. This format allows the KNVB to manage competitions at a local level and increase the involvement of clubs and players.

A significant change in the football pyramid took place in 1996, when professional and amateur football were separated. Since then, the professional clubs have played in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie, while the amateur clubs play in the lower regional leagues. In recent years, several adjustments have been made to the football pyramid, including the introduction of the Second and Third Divisions in 2016. Because the name Hoofdklasse as the 4th level of the pyramid caused confusion, it was renamed the Fourth Division in 2022.

Another important development is the introduction of the licensing system in 2020. This system means that clubs that want to participate in the Second Division or higher must meet certain requirements in terms of organization, finances and accommodation. This is an attempt to increase the quality of amateur football and to facilitate the transition from amateur to professional football.

As of the 2023/'24 season, Saturday and Sunday amateur football in the national 3rd and 4th divisions and the 1st divisions have been merged. This has led to a significant change in the structure of Dutch amateur football. Previously, these competitions were played on separate days, resulting in different levels of competitiveness and quality between the Saturday and Sunday clubs. The merger will now allow clubs to compete based on their performance, regardless of the day they traditionally play, and allow players to enjoy a higher level of competition. Although the adaptation process brought challenges, it is hoped that this step will contribute to a stronger and more balanced amateur football system in the Netherlands. It is likely that at a later date Saturday and Sunday football will also mix more in the lower leagues.

All in all, Dutch amateu football has a long and rich history that is constantly evolving. The current football pyramid offers numerous opportunities for clubs at different levels to measure themselves and grow. The recent adjustments, such as the introduction of the Third Division and the Second Division, have strengthened the competitive structure and promoted the quality of amateur football. By means of the licensing system, the aim is to achieve a higher professionalization of the clubs and the improvement of the overall standard of the Dutch amateur level. Dutch amateu football continues to evolve and will undoubtedly undergo new adaptations and changes to further develop and strengthen the sport.

Belgium has a similar football pyramid as the Netherlands, with different leagues in national football and competitions per province. On VoetbalInBelgië.be you can find all results, standings and fixtures of Belgian amateur football. Read more about Belgian football

Alle voetbaluitslagen, standen en programma's in het Belgisch voetbal

• Belgian National football
• Province of West Flanders
• Province of East Flanders
• Province of Antwerp
• Province of Limburg
• Province of Flemish Brabant
• Province of Walloon Brabant
• Province of Hainaut
• Province of Namur
• Province of Luxembourg
• Province of Liège

France also has a football pyramid, with different classes in national football and also competitions per region and department. On LiguesDeFoot.fr, you will find all the results, standings, and fixtures of French amateur football. Read more about French football

Alle voetbaluitslagen, standen en programma's in het Franse voetbal

• French national football
• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
• Region Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
• Region Brittany
• Centre-Val de Loire region
• Region Corsica
• Region Grand Est
• Region Hauts-de-France
• Region Méditerranée
• Normandy region
• Nouvelle Aquitaine Region
• Region Occitania
• Paris Île-de-France Region
• Region Pays de la Loire