The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest professional football league in the Netherlands. It operates under the governance of the Royal Dutch Football Association and features clubs that compete for promotion to the top tier, known as Eredivisie. The league was established in 1956 and has undergone various changes in format and structure over the years. Teams in the Eerste Divisie play a regular season, followed by a playoff system for promotion. The league is known for its competitive nature, providing a platform for emerging talent and clubs to showcase their skills. Many players and teams aspire to reach the Eredivisie through their performance in this league.