The 1981 1. divisjon was the 37th completed season of top division football in Norway.
Overview 22 games were played with 2 points given for wins and 1 for draws. Number eleven and twelve were relegated. The winners of the two groups of the Second Division were promoted, as well as the winner of a series of play-off matches between number ten in the 1. divisjon and the two second-placed teams in the two groups of the 2. divisjon.
Vålerengen won the championship, their second league title.
Teams and locations Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Team Location Stadium Brann 28 Bergen Brann Stadion Bryne 6 Bryne Bryne Stadion Fredrikstad 32 Fredrikstad Fredrikstad Stadion Hamarkameratene 10 Hamar Briskeby Haugar 1 Haugesund Sakkestadbanen Lillestrøm 18 Lillestrøm Åråsen Stadion Lyn 23 Oslo Ullevaal Stadion Moss 8 Moss Melløs Stadion Rosenborg 18 Trondheim Lerkendal Stadion Start 14 Kristiansand Kristiansand Stadion Vålerengen 26 Oslo Bislett Stadion Viking 34 Stavanger Stavanger Stadion
League table
Results
Relegation play-offs The qualification play-off matches were contested between Brann (10th in the 1. divisjon), Pors (2nd in the Second Division – Group A), and Molde (2nd in the 2. divisjon – Group B). Molde won on goal difference and were promoted to the 1. divisjon.
Results Molde 3–1 Pors Pors 2–1 Brann Brann 1–0 Molde
Season statistics Top scorers RankPlayerClubGoals1 Pål JacobsenVålerengen162 Svein MathisenStart123 Bernt MælandBryne9 Odd IversenRosenborg Vidar HansenFredrikstad Per Egil AhlsenFredrikstad Geir HenæsMoss8 Morten HaugenVålerengen7 Ingvar DalhaugBrann Peter OsborneHaugar Tor Arne GranerudHam-Kam Kjell ØdegaardLyn
Attendances
References Norway – List of final tables (RSSSF) Norsk internasjonal fotballstatistikk (NIFS)