| Competition: | 1. divisjon |
| Season: | 1980 |
| Winners: | Start 2nd title |
| Relegated: | Molde Skeid Bodø/Glimt |
| Continentalcup1: | European Cup |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Start |
| Continentalcup2: | Cup Winners' Cup |
| Continentalcup2 Qualifiers: | Vålerengen |
| Continentalcup3: | UEFA Cup |
| Continentalcup3 Qualifiers: | Bryne |
| Matches: | 132 |
| Total Goals: | 392 |
| League Topscorer: | Arne Dokken (14 goals) |
| Biggest Home Win: | (5 October 1980) |
| Biggest Away Win: | (28 August 1980) |
| Highest Scoring: | (27 April 1980) |
| Longest Wins: | Viking (5 games) |
| Longest Unbeaten: | Bryne Viking (6 games) |
| Longest Winless: | Molde Skeid (7 games) |
| Longest Losses: | Bodø/Glimt (5 games) |
| Highest Attendance: | 17,400 (15 May 1980) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 774 (29 June 1980) |
| Average Attendance: | 5,085 18.5% |
| Dates: | 27 April – 19 October |
| Prevseason: | 1979 |
| Nextseason: | 1981 |
The 1980 1. divisjon was the 36th completed season of top division football in Norway.
It was contested by 12 teams, and IK Start won the championship, their second title.
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Arne Dokken | Lillestrøm | 14 |
| 2 | Stein Kollshaugen | Moss | 13 |
| 3 | Steinar Aase | Start | 11 |
| Viggo Sundmoen | Rosenborg | ||
| Svein Mathisen | Start | ||
| 6 | Morten Haugen | Vålerengen | 9 |
| Preben Jørgensen | Start | ||
| Steinar Bærøe Mathisen | Fredrikstad | ||
| Gabriel Høyland | Bryne | ||
| Reidar Lund | Fredrikstad |