Netherlands Derde Divisie

The Derde Divisie (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdɛrdə diˈvizi]; English: Third Division), formerly known as Topklasse (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈtɔpklɑsə]; English: Top Class), is the fourth tier of football in the Netherlands, which had its inaugural season as a third tier in 2010–11 and as a fourth tier in 2016–17. The league is placed between the Tweede Divisie and the Vierde Divisie (formerly Hoofdklasse), the third and fifth tiers of Dutch football, respectively. The introduction of the then Topklasse resulted from discussions between the Royal Dutch Football Association, the Coöperatie Eerste Divisie (the clubs in the Eerste Divisie) and the Centraal Overleg Hoofdklassers (the clubs in the Hoofdklasse).

The Netherlands Derde Divisie is a prominent football league that forms the third tier of the Dutch football league system. Established to bridge the gap between amateur and professional levels, the Derde Divisie features a competitive mix of semi-professional and amateur clubs from across the Netherlands. The league is divided into two regional divisions: the Saturday and Sunday leagues, reflecting the traditional match days of participating clubs. Teams compete throughout the season for promotion to the Tweede Divisie, with the top performers earning the chance to advance to higher tiers of Dutch football. Known for its passionate local support and developing talent, the Derde Divisie plays a vital role in nurturing future professional players and maintaining the rich football culture across the Netherlands.