Keuken Kampioen Division 2026/2027: preview new season

Keuken Kampioen Divisie 2026/2027: everything you need to know about the new season

The ball is set to start rolling again in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. Once again this season, the battle for promotion promises to be incredibly exciting. Which clubs will set their sights straight on the Eredivisie? What surprises are in store? And which young talents will finally make their breakthrough? One thing is certain: there’s always something happening in the KKD. How could it be otherwise with teams like FC Volendam, De Graafschap, NAC Breda, Roda JC Kerkrade and Heracles Almelo taking part?

From spectacular goals and unexpected underdog teams to maddeningly tense final stages and sold-out Friday night matches. Oranje Palace has put together everything you need to know about the 2026/2027 Keuken Kampioen Divisie. When does the league start? Which clubs are taking part? Who are the favourites for promotion to the Eredivisie? And which players deserve extra attention?

When does the 2026/2027 Keuken Kampioen Divisie start?

The new season in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie kicks off on Friday 7 August 2026. As is traditional, there are several matches on the schedule right from the start, including a number of top-of-the-table clashes such as FC Emmen v Roda JC Kerkrade and VVV Venlo v Heracles Almelo. This means the battle for a place among the top teams will kick off straight away. Good news: this year, too, almost all matches will be played on Friday evenings, with the occasional match on a Monday.

Key dates for the Keuken Kampioen Division 2026/2027

The first round of fixtures will take place on Friday 7 August. The clubs will then complete a busy schedule leading up to the winter break, which begins after the matches in mid-December.

The league resumes in early January, and we’ll then head steadily towards the all-deciding final phase in May. From that point onwards, and during the play-offs, it will become clear which teams will qualify for a season in the Eredivisie.

As is the case every year, the Keuken Kampioen Divisie is divided into four phases. If you are the phase champion, you qualify for the play-offs for promotion to the Eredivisie. Below are the four phases of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie for the 2026–2027 season:

Which clubs are competing in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie?

This season, the Keuken Kampioen Divisie once again comprises twenty clubs. These consist of sixteen professional football clubs and four youth teams. Due to the occasionally changing squads of the youth teams and the unpredictability of the teams’ performances, the Keuken Kampioen Divisie is perhaps the most unpredictable league in the Netherlands, if not in Europe.

Newcomers and relegated teams

Following their relegation from the Eredivisie, Heracles Almelo, NAC Breda and FC Volendam are embarking on a new adventure in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. For these clubs, the goal is clear: to return to the top flight as quickly as possible.

In contrast, there are last season’s promoted sides. ADO Den Haag, SC Cambuur and Willem II secured promotion and are therefore no longer competing in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

Favourites for promotion from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie

As is the case every season, there are several clubs that can seriously dream of a return to the Eredivisie. However, promotion from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie is anything but a foregone conclusion. A strong run in the spring can turn the entire table on its head.

The main title favourites

According to the bookmakers, FC Volendam and NAC Breda are the main contenders for promotion ahead of the new season. That said, teams such as Almere City, Heracles Almelo and RKC Waalwijk are hot on their heels.

Outsiders for the title

Nevertheless, it is striking that every season there is at least one team that exceeds expectations. Think of teams such as De Graafschap or Roda JC Kerkrade. Both sides have a rich history in the Eredivisie and dream of playing at the highest level in the Netherlands once again. In addition, there are teams that rise above their usual form during a particular period of the year and can suddenly find themselves in the running for promotion.

Fixtures for the first round of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie

Why is betting on the Keuken Kampioen Divisie so popular?

Admittedly, the Eredivisie is often a feast for the eyes. Particularly when it comes to breakthrough talents, stunning goals and unprecedented blunders. Yet the Keuken Kampioen Divisie likes to take things a step further. The football is attacking, there are plenty of goals and the differences between the clubs are often minimal.

What’s more, the play-offs at the end of the season provide a number of nail-biting matches year after year, in which anything can happen. It is precisely this combination of talent, surprises and excitement that makes the Keuken Kampioen Divisie perhaps the most entertaining league in the Netherlands for many football fans. In fact, there are people who believe that the ‘KKD’ is the most entertaining league in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Keuken Kampioen Divisie

When does the Keuken Kampioen Divisie start?

The 2026/2027 Keuken Kampioen Divisie starts on Friday 7 August 2026. As on every Friday evening, several matches will be played that evening. The remaining matches will be played over the rest of the weekend and on Monday.

Who won the Keuken Kampioen Divisie last year?

ADO Den Haag were crowned champions of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie in the 2025/2026 season. As a result, the Hague-based club were promoted directly to the Eredivisie, alongside SC Cambuur.

Which club has won the Keuken Kampioen Divisie the most times?

With seven titles, FC Volendam is the club that has won the Keuken Kampioen Divisie the most times. The North Holland-based side have claimed the title more often than any other club in the competition’s history.

Who are the main contenders for the 2026–2027 Keuken Kampioen Divisie?

Heracles Almelo, NAC Breda and FC Volendam are among the pre-season favourites for promotion and the title. De Graafschap, Roda JC Kerkrade and FC Dordrecht also hope to be serious contenders in the race.