1 Division

1. Division is Denmark’s national second-tier handball league, sitting just beneath the Håndboldligaen. It brings together ambitious clubs from across the country, a blend of semi-professional outfits and developing professional programs, all chasing promotion and avoiding relegation. The league is the main proving ground for players, coaches and clubs on the cusp of Denmark’s top level, and it carries real significance for the sport’s structure and fan engagement. The season follows a traditional European calendar, with a late-summer start and a spring finish, typically running from September through May with weekend matches and occasional midweek fixtures, adjusted around cup ties and national team commitments. The league features around a dozen clubs, each pursuing a double round-robin format in the regular phase, followed by promotion playoffs or a championship round to determine the promotion spots. Some clubs have long histories and regional rivalries; others are rising names building a path to the top flight. The division has produced players who later move on to the Håndboldligaen or the national team. Fans follow 1. Division for the drama of promotion battles, the direct connection to communities, and the chance to watch emerging talent before it reaches the big stage.