| Competition: | 1. divisjon |
| Season: | 1973 |
| Winners: | Viking 3rd title |
| Relegated: | Frigg Lyn Fredrikstad |
| Continentalcup1: | European Cup |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Viking |
| Continentalcup2: | Cup Winners' Cup |
| Continentalcup2 Qualifiers: | Strømsgodset |
| Continentalcup3: | UEFA Cup |
| Continentalcup3 Qualifiers: | Rosenborg Start |
| Matches: | 132 |
| Total Goals: | 306 |
| League Topscorer: | Stein Karlsen (17 goals) |
| Biggest Home Win: | (30 July 1973) |
| Biggest Away Win: | (1 May 1973) (23 May 1973) (11 June 1973) (29 July 1973) (5 August 1973) (13 August 1973) |
| Highest Scoring: | (23 May 1973) |
| Longest Wins: | Viking (6 games) |
| Longest Unbeaten: | Viking (15 games) |
| Longest Winless: | Fredrikstad HamKam (7 games) |
| Longest Losses: | HamKam (7 games) |
| Highest Attendance: | 16,450 (25 June 1973) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 829 (7 October 1973) |
| Average Attendance: | 5,590 0.8% |
| Dates: | 1 May – 14 October |
| Prevseason: | 1972 |
| Nextseason: | 1974 |
The 1973 1. divisjon was the 29th completed season of top division football in Norway.
It was contested by 12 teams, and Viking FK won the championship, their second consecutive league title and their third top-flight title overall.
Fredrikstad, who was the only remaining team to have played all 28 completed seasons in the top division, was relegated in the end of the season.
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Stein Karlsen, HamKam – 17 goals