Derde Divisie - Relegation Round (Netherlands) 2025/26

The Derde Divisie sits at the fourth tier of Dutch football, operating as a strictly amateur competition below the semi-professional Tweede Divisie. Unlike its immediate superior, which accommodates professional reserve teams, the Derde Divisie prohibits such sides, maintaining a distinct identity within the national pyramid. The league structure comprises 36 teams split into two parallel groups, Derde Divisie A and Derde Divisie B, each containing 18 clubs. While the league traditionally separated teams by match day, the 2023–24 season introduced a flexible system allowing clubs to choose their fixture days, though the two-group format remains fixed.

Seasons run from August to May, featuring a double round-robin schedule where teams play 34 matches. The campaign is divided into three periods, with qualification for playoffs determined by performance in these segments. Promotion is secured by the champions of each group, who move directly up to the Tweede Divisie. Runners-up and period winners compete in promotion play-offs for remaining spots. Conversely, the bottom two teams in each group face automatic relegation to the fifth-tier Vierde Divisie, while those finishing 15th and 16th enter relegation play-offs against regional period winners.

VV Katwijk and SV Spakenburg stand out as the most successful entities in the league's history since its inception in 2010 as the Topklasse. VV Katwijk claimed titles in both divisions during 2021–22 and 2022–23, while SV Spakenburg achieved the same feat in 2023–24. IJsselmeervogels and Achilles '29 also possess multiple titles. The reigning champion for the 2024–25 season is IJsselmeervogels, having won Derde Divisie A.

The league's relegation round currently features six clubs: ADO '20, ASWH, Blauw Geel, Dovo, DVS 33 Ermelo, and Eemdijk. These teams contest to avoid dropping to the regional level or to secure survival in the fourth tier. The competition serves as a critical bridge between amateur football and higher levels, offering a pathway for ambitious local sides while maintaining its amateur status.