2019–20 Danish 1st Division

The 2019–20 Danish 1st Division (known as the NordicBet Liga for sponsorship purposes) marked the 24th season of the league operating as the second tier of Danish football and the 80th season overall under the 1st Division name. The league is governed by the Danish Football Association (DBU).

The division champion earned promotion to the 2020–21 Danish Superliga, while the teams finishing in 10th, 11th, and 12th places were relegated to the 2020–21 Danish 2nd Divisions. This adjustment to the usual promotion and relegation format was implemented due to the reduction of the Danish Superliga to 12 teams for the following season.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

The 2019–20 Danish 1st Division season was suspended on 12 March 2020 following a directive from the Danish Football Association (DBU), after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen advised that all public activities be limited or suspended for an initial period of two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension, originally set to end on 29 March, was subsequently extended to 13 April.

Following several months of uncertainty, Divisionsforeningen, the governing body of the professional leagues, announced that the 1st Division would resume on the weekend of 30–31 May 2020. This coincided with the restart of the Danish Superliga, which resumed on 28 May.

To facilitate a safe return, Divisionsforeningen published a 55-page health and safety protocol outlining mandatory COVID-19 testing and operational guidelines. All players and staff were required to undergo testing prior to the resumption and at regular intervals throughout the remaining fixtures. The plan was submitted to the Danish Ministry of Culture for approval, with the objective of completing the season by the end of June.

In line with temporary amendments approved by FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the league adopted a rule allowing five substitutions per team per match, instead of the usual three. However, teams were permitted only three substitution intervals per match, excluding halftime. The change was introduced to mitigate the risk of injuries following the extended layoff and was agreed upon in consultation with clubs and health authorities.

Participants

Vejle Boldklub were relegated to the 1st Division after finishing last in the 2018–19 Danish Superliga relegation play-offs, marking the end of a single season in the top tier. Vendsyssel FF were also relegated, having lost their relegation play-off to Lyngby Boldklub. Conversely, Silkeborg IF and Lyngby earned promotion to the Danish Superliga for the 2019–20 season.

FC Helsingør and Thisted FC were relegated to the 2019–20 Danish 2nd Divisions. Helsingør suffered a second consecutive relegation, having dropped from the Superliga the previous season, while Thisted returned to the third tier after two seasons in the Danish 1st Division. Skive IK and Kolding IF secured promotion from the 2018–19 Danish 2nd Divisions. Skive returned after just one season’s absence, while Kolding gained promotion to the second tier for the first time since the 2010–11 season, when the club competed as part of the now-defunct Kolding FC.

Stadia and locations

Personnel and sponsoring

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Managerial changes

League table

Results

First half of the season

Second half of the season

References

External links

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Danish FA

{{DEFAULTSORT:2019-20 Danish 1st Division
Danish 1st Division seasons
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Denmark