The 2019–20 Danish 1st Division (known as the NordicBet Liga due to sponsorship by NordicBet) 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
Club Location Stadium Turf Capacity 2018–19 position Fredericia Monjasa Park Natural 4,000 Roskilde Roskilde Idrætspark Natural 6,000 Copenhagen Sundby Idrætspark Artificial 7,200 Herfølge/Køge Capelli Sport Stadion Artificial 4,000 Hvidovre Pro Ventilation Arena Natural 12,000 Kolding Autocentralen Park Natural 10,000 Nykøbing Falster CM Arena Natural 10,000 Næstved ProfaGroupPark Natural 7,500 Skive Hancock Arena Natural 10,000 Vejle Vejle Stadion Natural 10,418 Hjørring Nord Energi Arena Natural 10,000 Viborg Energi Viborg Arena Natural 9,566
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. Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsorFC Fredericia Jonas Dal Christian Ege NielsenHummel MonjasaFC Roskilde Martin Jungsgaard Nicklas HalsePuma CP ApSBK Fremad Amager Azrudin Valentić Mads GabelAdidas —HB Køge Aurelijus Skarbalius Martin VingaardCapelli CastusHvidovre IF Per Frandsen Christopher ØstbergNike KBS BygKolding IF Morten Mølkjær Rune NautrupHummel Mos MoshNykøbing FC Claus Jensen Lars PleidrupNike Jyske BankNæstved BK Kenneth Gangsted Joel FelixJoma SydbankSkive IK Thomas Røll Christoffer ØstergaardNike Spar NordVejle BK Constantin Gâlcă Jacob SchoopHummel Arbejdernes LandsbankVendsyssel FF Lasse Stensgaard Søren HenriksenDiadora Spar NordViborg FF Jacob Neestrup Jeppe GrønningNike Andelskassen
Managerial changes Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in tableFC Roskilde Christian LønstrupResigned27 May 2019 Christian Iversen26 June 2019Pre-SeasonNykøbing FC Jens OlsenResigned30 May 2019 Brian Rasmussen22 June 2019Pre-SeasonVendsyssel FF Peter EnevoldsenEnd of contract2 June 2019 Johnny Mølby20 June 2019Pre-SeasonNæstved BK Michael HemmingsenSacked3 June 2019 Per V. Hansen Dos Santos3 July 2019Pre-SeasonViborg FF Steffen HøjerSacked3 June 2019 Jacob Neestrup20 June 2019Pre-SeasonFremad Amager Azrudin ValentićMade First Team Coach1 July 2019 Olof Mellberg1 July 2019Pre-SeasonNæstved BK Per V. Hansen Dos SantosSacked5 August 2019 Fernando De Argila7 August 201912thBK Fremad Amager Olof MellbergSigned by Helsingborgs IF3 September 2019 Azrudin Valentić3 September 20197thFC Roskilde Christian IversenResigned9 September 2019 Martin Jungsgaard9 September 201912thKolding IF Anders JensenSacked11 November 2019 Morten Mølkjær19 December 20194thNæstved BK Fernando De ArgilaSacked18 November 2019 Maximilian Dentz1 January 202011thHB Køge Morten KarlsenMutual consent1 December 2019 Aurelijus Skarbalius1 January 20207thNykøbing FC Brian RasmussenMade First Team Coach7 January 2020 Claus Jensen7 January 20209thNæstved BK Maximilian DentzSacked22 June 2020 Kenneth Gangsted22 June 202011thVendsyssel FF Johnny MølbySacked15 July 2020 Lasse Stensgaard15 July 20206th
League table
Results First half of the season
Second half of the season
References
External links Danish FA