| Norwegian Fourth Division | |
| Country: | Norway |
| Confed: | UEFA |
| Founded: | 1991 1963–1990 (as 5. divisjon) |
| Teams: | 278 (22 groups from 18 districts) |
| Promotion: | Norwegian Third Division |
| Relegation: | Norwegian Fifth Division |
| Level: | 5 |
| Domest Cup: | Norwegian Cup |
| Website: | fotball.no |
| Current: | 2024 Norwegian Fourth Division |
The Norwegian Fourth Division, also called 4. divisjon, is the fifth highest division of the men's football league in Norway. Like the rest of the Norwegian football league system, the season runs from spring to autumn, running approximately from April to October.
In 2019, it was decided that not all 24 group winners would promote to 3. divisjon.[1] A play-off system was established and the number of teams promoting from 4. divisjon was reduced to 18. Since the 2017 season, 4. divisjon teams have been eligible to qualify for the Norwegian Cup. Ahead of the 2020 season, the number of groups were reduced to 22.
Like in the rest of the Norwegian football league system, all the teams play each other twice, once at home and once away. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and if two teams are equal on points, the one with the best goal difference is above the other on the table. The teams are placed in the 24 sections according to geographic considerations.
The District Football Associations are responsible for the administration of 4. divisjon. The Norwegian Football Federation is responsible for the administration of 3. divisjon and the higher tiers of the Norwegian football league system.
The 4. divisjon was known as the 5. divisjon from 1963 until 1990, when the top-tier league changed its name to Tippeligaen, the 2. divisjon became the 1. divisjon and the names of all the lower divisions were adjusted accordingly.
From 2012 to 2016, 4. divisjon consisted of 26 parallel sections of 10 to 15 teams, and a total of 34 teams promoted from 4. divisjon.[2]
After changes in the Norwegian football pyramid, no teams were promoted from the 4. divisjon after the 2016 season. The fifth tier was split into twenty-four groups.
With fewer teams in the above tiers of the football pyramid, 4. divisjon teams routinely participate in the Norwegian Football Cup.
In 2020, the number of groups was reduced to 22.
See main article: Norwegian reserve football teams. Reserve teams of clubs from higher divisions can participate in the 4. divisjon. Reserve teams of clubs from the 3. divisjon can not be promoted from the 4. divisjon.[3]
Teams in italics lost promotion play-offs and were not promoted.
| Season | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 | Group 5 | Group 6 | Group 7 | Group 8 | Group 9 | Group 10 | Group 11 | Group 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nesodden | Trysil | Sandefjord 2 | Urædd | ||||||||||
| Engerdal | Vestfossen | Sandefjord 2 | Søgne | Sandnes Ulf 2 | |||||||||
| Råde | Hei | Loddefjord | |||||||||||
| Råde | Hei | Askøy |
| Season | Group 13 | Group 14 | Group 15 | Group 16 | Group 17 | Group 18 | Group 19 | Group 20 | Group 21 | Group 22 | Group 23 | Group 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bjørnevatn | |||||||||||||
| Norild | |||||||||||||
| Kristiansund 2 | Tverrelvdalen | ||||||||||||
| Bergen Nord | Lyngbø | Tomrefjord | Levanger 2 | Kvik | |||||||||
| Herd | Hamna | - | - | ||||||||||
| Herd | Træff 21 | Kirkenes | - | - |
| Season | Group 25 | Group 26 | Group 27 | Group 28 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krokelvdalen | Bossekop | ||||
| - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - |
The District Football Associations are responsible for the administration of 4. divisjon. The Norwegian Football Federation is responsible for the administration of 3. divisjon and the higher tiers of the Norwegian football league system.
The current 22 groups are administered by the following districts:[4]
Agder
Akershus
Buskerud
Finnmark
Hordaland Group 1
Hordaland Group 2
Hålogaland
Indre Østland
Nordland
Nordmøre og Romsdal
Oslo Group I
Oslo Group II
Rogaland Group II
Sogn og Fjordane
Sunnmøre
Telemark
Troms
Trøndelag Group 2
Vestfold
Østfold