1. Division (Denmark) 2026/27

The Danish Men's Handball 1. Division operates as the second-tier professional handball league in Denmark, sitting directly below the top-flight Håndboldligaen. Governed by the Danish Handball Federation, the competition serves as a critical developmental tier for clubs aiming to reach the elite level of Danish handball. While the league structure has existed for decades, a significant format reform introduced in the 2008/2009 season established the current promotion and relegation mechanics that define the competition today.

The season is played as a double round-robin, resulting in 26 matches for each club. Unlike the top tier, which splits into championship and relegation playoffs, the 1. Division functions as a straight promotion and relegation ladder. The primary objective for every participant is securing a place in the Håndboldligaen. The team finishing first is promoted directly, while the teams finishing second, third, and fourth enter a promotion playoff. In this playoff, the second and third-place teams play against each other, and the winner faces the loser of the relegation qualification from the Håndboldligaen for the second promotion spot.

Safety from the drop is equally important. The bottom three teams, occupying 12th, 13th, and 14th places, are directly relegated to the 2. Division. Teams finishing 10th and 11th must enter a relegation playoff against teams from the 2. Division to determine their survival for the following season. This intense structure ensures high stakes throughout the campaign, particularly for mid-table and lower-tier clubs. Current participants include Aarhus Håndbold, AGF, Grindsted, HOJ, Koge, and Lemvig, all vying for the tangible reward of advancement.

Historical dominance in the modern era has seen various clubs rise through the ranks. Ajax København stands out with multiple titles, including wins in 2013/14 and 2015/16. More recently, Grindsted GIF Håndbold secured the title in 2024, demonstrating the competitive fluidity of the division. The absence of a championship playoff keeps the focus purely on consistency and league position over the full season.