As a rule, the Championship starts at the beginning of August and finishes at the end of May. Beginning and end dates of the competition are determined 2-3 weeks before the next season start and may shift due to continental or international championships. The winter break lasts three weeks, starting from the last week of December and ending in mid-January.
Number of participants: 18
The winner of the championship gets a ticket to the Champions League group stage. The vice champion begins qualification from the third round. The winner of the bronze medals set falls into the Europa League group stage, and the 4th place provides a start in the Europa League 3rd qualifying round.
For the teams ranking 5–8 a mini-tournament pursuant to the play-off system is organized. In this contest an extra ticket to the Europa League 3rd qualifying round is up for grabs. The 8th team meets the 5th, the 6th team competes with the 7th one. Rivals play one home and one away match, and the final is carried out in two matches, too.
The team, which took the last place at the end of the season, goes to the second division (the Eerste Divisie). Two more losers of the season go to the transition tournament to compete with the Eerste Divisie representatives for the right to stay in the top league.
The tournament consists of three rounds:
The clubs, ranked 6–9 in the second division, meet in the 1st round. Opponents play two (home and away) matches each, after which two strongest teams move on to the next round.
The teams, ranked 2–5, and 2 Eredivisie losers start from the 2nd round of the contest. Rivals play one match each again and move on to the last round.
In the third round, four best teams play for two tickets to the top division.
In play-offs for Eurocups and in butting matches the away goals rule is applied.
