Norwegian football league system explained

The Norwegian football league system, or pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Norway.

2017 system in men's football

, the current national league system administered by the NFF is organised as 1–1–2–6, where Eliteserien is the highest level and the First Division the second tier, followed by two groups in the third tier (Second Division) and 6 regional groups in the fourth tier (Third Division). The leagues in the fifth tier (Fourth Division) and below are regional divisions administered by the various regional football associations. The regional leagues mostly follow county borders.

LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)
1Eliteserien
16 clubs
2First Division/OBOS-ligaen
16 clubs
3Second Division/PostNord-ligaen
Group 1
14 clubs
Second Division/PostNord-ligaen
Group 2
14 clubs
4Third Division/Norsk Tipping-ligaen
Group 1
14 clubs
Third Division/Norsk Tipping-ligaen
Group 2
14 clubs
Third Division
Group 3/Norsk Tipping-ligaen
14 clubs
Third Division/Norsk Tipping-ligaen
Group 4
14 clubs
Third Division/Norsk Tipping-ligaen
Group 5
14 clubs
Third Division/Norsk Tipping-ligaen
Group 6
14 clubs
5 - 11The Fourth Division through the Tenth Division are regional divisions administered by the various regional football associations.

Promotion and relegation

DivisionPromotionRelegation
EliteserienN/A15th, 16th
(14th team in play-off)
First Division/OBOS-ligaenWinner, runner-up
(3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in play-off)
15th, 16th
(14th team in play-off)
Second Division/PostNord-ligaenWinners in two groups
(Runners-up in play-off)
12th, 13th, 14th in two groups
Third Division/Norsk Tipping-ligaenWinners in six groups12th, 13th, 14th in six groups

2021 system in women's football

, the league system for the top two divisions in Norwegian women's football is organised like this:[1]

LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)
1Toppserien
10 clubs
2First Division
10 clubs
3 - 6The Second Division through the Fifth Division are regional divisions administered by the various regional football associations.

Promotion and relegation

DivisionPromotionRelegation
ToppserienN/A10th
(9th team in play-off)
First DivisionWinner
(2nd team in play-off)
9th, 10th

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Her er terminlisten for Toppserien i 2021. Toppfotball Kvinner. 3 February 2021. 2 May 2021. no.