Yes I know that nearly a full round of fixtures has been completed already but I have been busy! Blame the World Cup!
The Eerste Divisie, widely known as the Keuken Kampioen Divisie (sponsored by a kitchen retail company). remains a proving ground for future Eredivisie talent and a home for experienced veterans passing on their know‑how. Looking at the twenty clubs lining up for the 2026/27 campaign, the league feels wide open, with several genuine promotion contenders. Big names of former Eredivisie teams from the past like Vitesse, Heracles Almelo, NAC Breda, RKC Waalwijk, VVV Venlo, FC Volendam and Roda JC join Jong Ajax, Jong PSV and Jong AZ in what promises to be another unpredictable season. Will Burns takes a closer look at the year ahead.
RACE FOR PROMOTION
Trying to predict the Eerste Divisie is a mugs game. It’s a league built on unpredictability, however, a few early frontrunners have emerged.
The most obvious candidates are the three relegated sides: Heracles Almelo, NAC Breda, and FC Volendam. All three arrive with larger budgets, deeper squads and the kind of institutional experience that tends to matter over a 38‑match season.
HERACLES, in particular, look built to win the title, though the club remains a wildcard under 29‑year‑old coach Vincent Heilmann. They have rebuilt aggressively with nine signings including foreign imports, adding experience and physicality, but the squad is still a puzzle waiting to be solved. The major incomings are French striker Jean-Paul N’djoli from FC Wil, German centre-forward David Tomic, who scored 13 goals for Stuttgarter Kickers in the Regionalliga Sudwest last season and experience Spanish right-back David Vicente arrived from Malaga.
FC VOLENDAM have leaned into their reputation as Dutch football’s ultimate yo‑yo club. After their 11th relegation, they responded with an ambitious shopping spree, bringing in midfielder Reuven Niemeijer from De Graafschap and welcoming back winger Nick Doodeman. Most importantly, they retained veteran striker Henk Veerman, a walking guarantee of goals at this level.
NAC BREDA are harder to judge. Their relegation was messy, their summer turbulent, and their squad still incomplete. But even in chaos, NAC remain a heavyweight. If they can stabilise, they will be dangerous. Beyond the relegated trio, two other clubs have emerged as serious contenders.
ALMERE CITY could be a serious threat with the fearless attacking duo Emmanuel Poku and Marley Dors firing for them. Almere are bold, fast and ambitious but their defensive instability may cause issues.
VITESSE ARNHEM are finally free of last season’s crippling points deduction, are widely seen as a threat. With stability restored and a promising squad built around Naoufal Bannis and new signing Eduard Probst, Vitesse could easily finish in the top two.
Promotion to Eredivisie does not come with a giant cheque or a glittering financial prize, but stepping up from the Eerste Divisie still delivers a major economic boost for any club. The KNVB and Eredivisie do not hand out multi‑million‑euro bonuses for winning promotion, yet the financial landscape changes dramatically the moment a club reaches the top flight.
The biggest shift comes through broadcasting revenue. Even the lowest‑earning Eredivisie sides receive a guaranteed annual share of TV money, typically between €2 million and €3 million, far above what Eerste Divisie clubs collect. That baseline alone transforms budgets, wage structures and long‑term planning.
But the real windfall arrives indirectly. Promotion means bigger crowds, higher ticket prices, and a surge in commercial value. Sponsorship deals become more lucrative, matchday income rises, and clubs gain national exposure by facing giants like Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord. For many promoted sides, these commercial gains outweigh the TV money itself.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The Eerste Divisie has long been a breeding ground for future Eredivisie stars, and this season’s talent pool looks particularly rich.
Yanis Dede‑Lhomme (FC Emmen): Elegant, composed and left‑footed — a rare combination. His pre‑season performances suggest he could be one of the division’s best defenders.
Eduard Probst (Vitesse): A fascinating new arrival. Expected to form a dangerous partnership with Bannis, Probst could be the spark that ignites Vitesse’s promotion push.
Ayoub Ouarghi (FC Dordrecht): On loan from Feyenoord, Ouarghi is tipped as the next big thing. His free‑kick ability alone could swing matches.
Jeff Reine‑Adélaïde (Heracles Almelo): If the former Arsenal and Lyon midfielder stays fit, he could dominate the division.
Henk Veerman (FC Volendam): The towering striker could score 30 goals, he is simply too effective at this level.
Emmanuel Poku & Marley Dors (Almere City): One of the most exciting young duos in Dutch football. Almere’s entire promotion dream rests on their pace, creativity and fearlessness.
Jan van den Bergh (NAC Breda): Back from Japan and ready to revive NAC’s defence. His long throw‑in is a genuine attacking weapon, almost a set piece in itself.
STORYLINES THAT WILL SHAPE THE SEASON
Beyond the title race and individual talent, the 2026/27 Eerste Divisie is packed with compelling narratives.
Vitesse’s Rebirth: After two seasons defined by points deductions and financial chaos, Vitesse finally start with a clean slate. Adding to the intrigue, veteran Alexander Büttner will serve as both starting left‑back and assistant coach, a rare dual role that could become one of the season’s most fascinating subplots.
The Dugout Carousel: Eleven clubs begin the season with new managers. Thomas Duivenvoorden at De Graafschap, tasked with rebuilding a thin squad. Bart Schreuder at FC Den Bosch, hoping to continue the family coaching legacy. Rob Penders at Roda JC, aiming to restore stability after years of inconsistency. The sheer number of new faces in the dugout guarantees tactical experimentation, unexpected surges and inevitable collapses.
FC Eindhoven’s Golden Jubilee: They enter their 50th consecutive season in the Eerste Divisie, a truly remarkable milestone. Veteran coach Jan Poortvliet leads a squad built on youth development and tradition. They may not be promotion favourites, but they remain one of the league’s most beloved institutions.
Financial Pressure vs. Development Freedom: Traditional clubs face intense pressure to chase promotion, often with tighter budgets than in previous years. Heracles, for example, operate with less financial muscle than during their last relegation. Meanwhile, the Jong teams of Ajax, PSV, AZ and Utrecht continue to develop youth prospects without the burden of results.
THE USUAL UNCERTAINTY
The Eerste Divisie thrives on unpredictability. Every year, a club emerges from nowhere, a veteran striker rewrites the script, or a young talent explodes into relevance. This season promises more of the same.
Heracles, Volendam and NAC bring heavyweight status. Almere bring ambition. Vitesse bring renewed hope. And beneath them, a dozen clubs believe — genuinely — that this could be their year.
There is no clear favourite. No guaranteed storyline. No safe prediction.
And that is exactly why the Keuken Kampioen Divisie remains the most entertaining league in Europe.
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