Danish football league system
The Danish football league system, also known as the football league pyramid, refers to the hierarchically interconnected league structure for association football in Denmark, in which all divisions are bound together by the principle of promotion and relegation. Within men's association football, the top two professional levels contain one division each. Below this, the semi-professional and amateur levels have progressively more parallel divisions, which each cover progressively smaller geographic areas. The top four tiers are classed as nationwide, while the fifth tier and below are classed provincial leagues. Teams that finish at the top of their division at the end of each season can rise higher in the pyramid, while those that finish at the bottom find themselves sinking further down. In theory it is possible for even the lowest local amateur club to rise to the top of the system and become Danish football champions one day. The number of teams promoted and relegated between the divisions varies, and promotion to the upper levels of the pyramid is usually contingent on meeting additional criteria, especially concerning appropriate facilities and finances.[1][2][3]
The league system is held under the jurisdiction of the Danish FA (DBU), Divisionsforeningen (DF) and its six regional associations. Dansk Arbejder Idrætsforbund (DAI) run a separate league system for their members. The men's senior league system excludes parallel leagues such as the Reserveliga, which runs in conjunction with primarily the Superliga as a national youth developmental and reserve league. The pyramid for women's football in Denmark runs separately with fewer divisions and levels. The women's top-flight league is semi-professional and additional criteria apply, the higher the team is placed in the league system.
Current structure
Men's league system
The Danish football league system is held under the jurisdiction of the national Danish Football Association (DBU) and its professional body Divisionsforeningen (DF), along with its six regional associations. On top of the hierarchical system sit the level one Superliga, the level two 1. division and the level three 2. division, collectively known as the Danmarksturneringen i fodbold (Herre-DM) and referred to as divisionerne, organised by the Divisionsforeningen.[4] The top-flight league is professional, while the second-tier league consists primarily of professional and semi-professional teams, with the third-tier being a semi-professional league consisting of primarily semi-professional and amateur teams with some professional teams.[5][2][6][7][8] The three top levels then are followed by the level four Danmarksserien (Herre-DS), the lowest league classed as nationwide and the highest fully amateur league, operated by the Danish geographical boundaries.
The number of promotions and relegations between the highest regional leagues and below are dependent on the number of regional clubs relegated from the fourth tier.[9][10][11][12] This also includes forced relegations of reserve teams, when the first team is being relegated to a lower level with their reserve team present. Reserve teams and mother clubs to superstructures are not allowed in the first three levels. The Reserveliga was created as a parallel competition outside of the league structure to run in conjunction with primarily the Superliga as a national youth developmental and reserve league.[13] A separate league system exist, consisting of amateur clubs, and governed by the Dansk Arbejder Idrætsforbund (DAI).
The table below illustrates the current structure of the system. For each league, its official name in Danish and number of divisions and clubs is given. Each division promotes to the league(s) that lie directly above it and relegates to the league(s) that lie directly below it.
Level | League(s) / Division(s)[lower-alpha 1] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Professional Leagues | ||||||
1 | Superligaen 12 clubs ↓ 2 relegation spots[4] | |||||
2 | 1. division 12 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ 2 relegation spots[4] | |||||
Semi-Professional League | ||||||
3 | 2. division 12 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ 2 relegation spots[4] | |||||
4 | 3. division 12 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ 3 relegation spots[4][14] | |||||
Non-Professional Leagues | ||||||
5 | Danmarksserien 4 divisions of 10 clubs ↑ 3 promotion spots, ↓ 8 relegation spots[4][15][14] | |||||
6 | Københavnsserien 1 division of 14 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↗ 1 qualification spot, ↓ 5 relegation spots[15][16][10][11][lower-alpha 2] |
Sjællandsserien 2 divisions of 14 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↗ 1 qualification spot, ↓ 6 relegation spots[15][17][lower-alpha 2] |
Fynsserien 1 division of 14 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 3-4 relegation spots[15][18][lower-alpha 2] |
Jyllandsserien 1 2 divisions of 8 clubs ↑ 3 promotion spots, ↓ 3-6 relegation spots[15][19][lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 2] | ||
Jyllandsserien 2 3 divisions of 8 clubs ↑ 3-6 promotion spots, ↓ 6-9 relegation spots[20][19] | ||||||
7 | DBU Københavns Serie 1 2 divisions of 12–14 clubs[11] |
Bornholmsserien 1 division of 6 clubs ↗ 1 qualification spot, ↓ 0-2 relegation spots[9][10][lower-alpha 2] |
DBU Sjællands Serie 1 2 divisions of 14 clubs[21][17] |
Lolland-Falsterserien 1 division of 12 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ 3 relegation spots[12][lower-alpha 2] |
DBU Fyns Serie 1 4 divisions of 6 clubs[18] |
DBU Jyllands Serie 1 6 divisions of 8 clubs[19] |
8 | DBU Københavns Serie 2 3 divisions of 12–13 clubs[11] |
DBU Bornholms Serie 1 1 division of 5-6 clubs[9][lower-alpha 4] |
DBU Sjællands Serie 2 4 divisions of 12 clubs[17] |
DBU Lolland-Falsters Serie 1 1 division of 12 clubs[12] |
DBU Fyns Serie 2 8 divisions of 6 clubs[18] |
DBU Jyllands Serie 2 12 divisions of 8 clubs[19] |
9 | DBU Københavns Serie 3 5 divisions of 12–14 clubs[11] |
DBU Bornholms Serie 2 1 division of 5-6 clubs[9][lower-alpha 4]' |
DBU Sjællands Serie 3 8 divisions of 12 clubs[17] |
DBU Lolland-Falsters Serie 2 1 division of 12 clubs[12] |
DBU Fyns Serie 3 6 divisions of 12 clubs[18] |
DBU Jyllands Serie 3 24 divisions of 8 clubs[19] |
10 | DBU Københavns Serie 4 5 divisions of 12–14 clubs[11] |
DBU Sjællands Serie 4 12 divisions of 12 clubs[17] |
DBU Lolland-Falsters Serie 3 1 division of 11 clubs[12][lower-alpha 4] |
DBU Fyns Serie 4 6-10 divisions of 11–12 clubs[18] |
DBU Jyllands Serie 4 48 divisions of 8 clubs[19] | |
11 | DBU Københavns Serie 5 10 divisions of 8–12 clubs[11][lower-alpha 4] |
DBU Sjællands Serie 5 10 divisions of 12 clubs[17] |
DBU Fyns Serie 5 1 division of 8 clubs[18][lower-alpha 4] |
DBU Jyllands Serie 5 96 divisions of 4–6 clubs[19][lower-alpha 4] | ||
12 | DBU Sjællands Serie 6 4 divisions of 9 clubs[17][lower-alpha 4] |
- As of the 2022–23 season.
- The exact amount of teams relegated or promoted depend on the regional distribution of relegated teams from the tier above.
- All divisions in DBU Jylland are biannual, though promotion to Danmarksserien only occur once a year.
- As this is the lowest local tier, the amount of participating teams may vary every year.
Women's league system
The Danish women's football league system is administered by the Danish Football Association (DBU) and its special interests body Kvindedivisionsforeningen (KDF), along with its six regional associations. The highest level of women's league football in Denmark is the Kvindeligaen followed by the second-highest league Kvinde 1. division, collectively known as the Danmarksturneringen i kvindefodbold (Kvinde-DM) and referred to as divisionerne, organised by the Danish FA and Kvindedivisionsforeningen.[22] The Kvindeligaen is considered a semi-professional league, with clubs at the second and third tiers in the Kvinde-DM also being allowed to sign semi-professional player contracts.[5][23][24] The season culminates with two lowest placed teams of the Kvindeligaen and the four highest placed teams of the Kvinde 1. division competing in a qualification league tournament called Kvalifikationsligaen.[22] The two tiers are then followed by the level three Kvindeserien (Kvinde-DS), the lowest nationwide league, but organised by the regional football associations. The third level and below are collectively referred to as serierne (or non-league). The number of local relegated teams from the second-tier to third-tier determines the number of promotion and relegation spots between the third-tier and below.[25][26][27] Reserve teams and mother clubs to superstructures playing at a higher level are only allowed to play in the second-tier and below.[22] Women's teams of DBU Lolland-Falster participate in DBU Zealand regional league structure, while women's teams of DBU Bornholm participate in the DBU Copenhagen regional leagues.
The six levels of women's football in Denmark are structured as follows. For each league, its official name in Danish and number of divisions and clubs is given. Each division promotes to the league(s) that lie directly above it and relegates to the league(s) that lie directly below it.
Level | League(s) / Division(s)[lower-alpha 1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Semi-Professional League | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | Kvindeligaen 8 clubs ↓ 0–2 relegation spots[22] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Kvinde 1. division 8 clubs ↑ 0–2 promotion spots, ↓ 0–2 relegation spots[22][28] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | Kvinde 2. division 2 divisions of 7 clubs ↑ 0–2 promotion spots, ↓ 4 relegation spots[22][28] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Professional Leagues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | Kvindeserien 3 divisions of 7–12 clubs ↑ 4 promotion spots, ↓ 5–7 relegation spots[22][26][29] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | Kvinde Københavnsserien 10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 1 relegation spot[11][30] |
Kvinde Fynsserien 6 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 2+ relegation spots[27] |
Jyllandsserien Kvinder 4 divisions of 8 clubs ↑ 4 promotion spots, ↓ 8+ relegation spots[31][26] |
Kvindesjællandsserien 12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 2+ relegation spots[25] | ||||||||||||||||||||
6 | DBU Københavns Kvinde Serie 1 10 clubs[11] |
DBU Fyns Kvinde Serie 1 8 clubs[27] |
DBU Jyllands Serie 1 Kvinder 8 divisions of 4–6 clubs[31] |
DBU Sjællands Kvindeserie 1 2 divisions of 8–10 clubs[25] | ||||||||||||||||||||
7 | DBU Københavns Kvinde Serie 2 2 divisions of 6 clubs[11] |
DBU Fyns Kvinde Serie 2 2 divisions of 5–8 clubs[27] |
DBU Jyllands Serie 2 Kvinder 14 divisions of 4–6 clubs[31] |
DBU Sjællands Kvindeserie 2 4 divisions of 3–9 clubs[25] |
- As of the 2023–24 season.
System by period
Men's league history
The first domestic club league was founded in 1889 with the establishment of the Fodboldturneringen, comprising seven amateur clubs exclusively based in Copenhagen, deciding the Copenhagen Football Championship and governed by the Danish Football Association (DBU).[32] In the following years, several regional league structures emerged with the establishment of the regional football associations. Five of the newly founded provincial football associations, Jutland FA, Zealand FA, Funen FA, Lolland-Falster FA and Bornholm FA, became part of the Danish Football Association (DBU). With the formation of a regional FA for the capital city in 1903, the administration of the Copenhagen Football League was transferred to the Copenhagen FA. These six regional football competitions were the top-flight leagues, determining the regional club football championship. Between 1912 and 1927, the Danish football championship was determined via a play-off cup tournament at the end of the season, known as the Landsfodboldturneringen.[33]
The first nationwide championship league competition, known as the Danmarksmesterskabsturneringen, had its inaugural season in 1927–28, and the tournament expanded two years later with a secondary national league.[34][35] There was no avenue for progression between the national top-flight tournament and regional leagues until 1936, where the best clubs were permanently moved out of the highest regional championship leagues. From 1927 to 1935 the Danish league pyramid had two simultaneous and independent pyramids, the national pyramid, and the regional pyramid, and the best clubs were playing in both pyramids.[34][35] The national league structure was reconstructed after World War II with the formation of three nationwide leagues with an equal number of clubs and matches.[33] The current interconnected league system has been in place since 2004, when the regional leagues were reorganised. Professionalism (then referred to as betalt fodbold) in Danish football was introduced in 1978, but was restricted to the top three levels.[33] In 1986, Brøndby IF became the first Danish club with a squad of full time professional players contracts and the first to be publicly listed in 1987.[33]
Men's league timeline
The timeline below lists the evolution of the men's tiers and leagues related to the Danish FA since 1889, including the regional league structures of DBU Copenhagen, DBU Jutland and DBU Bornholm, and the regional top-flights of DBU Funen, DBU Zealand and DBU Lolland-Falster. Excluded are Landsfodboldturneringen (1912–13 until 1926–27) and Kvalifikations-Cupturneringen (1946 until 1950), which were end-of-the season cup tournaments, and the first seasons of Kvalifikationsturneringen (1950–51 until 1958) was a qualification tournament held at the end of the season.
Source:[34][33][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]
Women's league timeline
The timeline below lists the evolution of the women's tiers and leagues related to the Danish FA and DBU Copenhagen, specifically the women's association football being administered by the Danish FA since 1972. Excluded are the women's national championship in the first two seasons (1973 and 1974), which were end-of-the season cup tournaments.
References
- "Krav til danske fodboldstadioner - Edition 2019" (PDF). www.divisionsforeningen.dk (in Danish). Divisionsforeningen. 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- "Klublicenssystem: Manual for Herre-DM: 1. division 2019/2020" (PDF). www.divisionsforeningen.dk (in Danish). Divisionsforeningen. November 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- Christensen, Thomas (12 June 2019). "Cirkulære nr. 7 af 2019: Oplysningskrav og økonomiske mindstekrav til klubber i 2. division" (PDF). www.divisionsforeningen.dk (in Danish). Brøndby: Divisionsforeningen. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- "Love og regler" (in Danish). Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- Risager, Victor (8 May 2020). "Spillerforeningen om 2. division: Vi ser på, hvad der kan lade sig gøre" (in Danish). Tipsbladet. Ritzaus Bureau. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- "Retningslinjer for genoptagelse af professionel klubfodbold – 3F Superliga og NordicBet Liga" (PDF). www.kum.dk (in Danish). Kulturministeriet. 11 May 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- Hoffskov, Ole (2 May 2020). "Ingen planer om corona-test i 2. division" (in Danish). Tipsbladet. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
Hvor spillerne i Superligaen og NordicBet Ligaen er på kontrakt, er langt hovedparten af spillerne i Danmarks tredjebedste række amatørspillere og har et arbejde, de passer ved siden af fodbolden.
- Marboe, Mads Bye (8 May 2020). "Pessimistisk Hillerød-boss: 2. division kræver en helt anden model" (in Danish). Tipsbladet / tipsbladet.dk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
På grund af de mange forskellige setups i rækken vil det kræve, at man går anderledes til værks end i Superligaen og NordicBet Ligaen [..] I Hillerød er spillerne amatører. Omvendt har eksempelvis FC Helsingør fuldtidsprofessionelle spillere.
- "Turneringsbestemmelser herresenior 11-mands". www.dbubornholm.dk (in Danish). DBU Bornholm. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- "Turneringsreglement". www.dbukoebenhavn.dk (in Danish). DBU Copenhagen. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- "Turneringer: Senior: 11v11". www.dbukoebenhavn.dk (in Danish). DBU Copenhagen. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- DBU. "Særlige bestemmelser". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- "Propositioner for Reserveligaen". www.dbu.dk (in Danish). Danish Football Association (DBU). Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- Kommunikation, D. B. U. "Oprykningsspil indføres i Danmarksserien". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- DBU. "Propositioner for Danmarksserien". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- "KS Herre 20/21". www.dbukoebenhavn.dk (in Danish). DBU Copenhagen. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- DBU. "Turneringsbestemmelser 11:11". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- DBU. "Struktur - Herre Senior". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- DBU. "11:11 og 8:8 Herrer og Drenge". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 2022-01-25.
- "Propositioner for Danmarksserien". www.dbu.dk (in Danish). Danish Football Association (DBU). Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- "Sjællandsserien og Serie 1 udvides med 4 hold". www.dbusjaelland.dk (in Danish). DBU Zealand. February 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- "Propositioner for Danmarksturneringen i kvindefodbold (Kvinde-DM)". www.dbu.dk (in Danish). Danish Football Association (DBU). Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- Frigaard, Anders Melchior (8 May 2020). "Kvindeligaen kan måske genoptages: Afventer svar fra regeringen" (in Danish). DR / www.dr.dk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- "Stillinger Dame DM; Danmarksserien for damer 1997". Dansk Boldspil-Union Årsberetning 1997 (in Danish). Danish Football Association (DBU). January 1998. pp. 76–77.
- "Turneringsbestemmelser 11:11". www.dbusjaelland.dk (in Danish). DBU Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- "DBU Jyllands love og regler: Turneringsbestemmelser: 11:11 og 8:8 kvinder og piger". www.dbujylland.dk (in Danish). DBU Jutland. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- "Seniorfodbold: Sådan spiller vi (regler og strukturer): Struktur - Kvinde senior". www.dbufyn.dk (in Danish). DBU Funen. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- "Ny landsdækkende 1. division og to 2. divisioner" (in Danish). Kvindedivisionsforeningen. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- "Bestemmelser : Kvindeserie Øst og Vest". www.dbusjaelland.dk (in Danish). DBU Sjælland. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- "KS, Kvinder Efterår (2020)". www.dbukoebenhavn.dk (in Danish). DBU Copenhagen. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- "11-mands senior og ungdom ligarækker: Rækkebeskrivelser: Kvinder". www.dbujylland.dk (in Danish). DBU Jutland. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- Asmussen, Aksel; Langvold, Bernhard; Berendt, Svend; Lykke, Ivar; Hansen, Edvin; Nielsen, Kurt; Larsen, Erik Spang; Pockendahl, Børge; Hansen, K. K., eds. (1953). "De første 25 år (1903-1928)". Københavns Boldspil-Union gennem 50 år : 1903 - 29. april - 1953 (in Danish). Københavns Boldspil-Union (KBU). p. 8.
- Ahlstrøm, Frits (October 1990). "Danmarksturneringen; Dame-Fodbold". Guinness Fodboldbog 1990 (in Danish). Copenhagen: Komma & Clausen Bøger. pp. 12, 14–20, 152–155. ISBN 87-7512-459-9.
- "Historie: Aldersgrupper og Pokalturneringer: Senior: Herrer". www.dbukoebenhavn.dk (in Danish). DBU Copenhagen. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- Elbech, Søren (17 July 2014). "Danish League Tables 1927-1998: Overview of divisional structure 1927 - 1998, Division One". RSSSF (in Danish). Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Ankeldal, Steen; Rasmussen, Niels (2003). "KBU's klubber gennem 100 år; KBU's bedste række". På banen – med københavnsk fodbold og KBU i 100 år. Københavns Boldspil-Union. pp. 88, 98–101.
- "DBU Jylland - Om DBU Jylland - Organisationeen - Historie - DBU Jyllands historie". www.dbujylland.dk (in Danish). DBU Jylland. 2005. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- Westphall, Emanuel (1 August 1945). "Ny Turneringsordning; Statistik over alle Spillerækkerne: Vindere i Fodbold-Turneringerne". Jydsk Boldspil-Union gennem 50 Aar : 1895-1945 (in Danish). Jydsk Boldspil-Union. pp. 84–86, 136–137.
- "En ny serie paa 40 hold skal højne jydsk fodbold : Vigtigt forslag fra Haderslev vedtaget i JBU" (in Danish). Vol. 72, no. 60. Hejmdal. 12 March 1951. p. 6.
- "Alle TIKs Hold skal rykke en Række op" (in Danish). Vol. 128, no. 170. Thisted Amtsavis. 26 July 1951. p. 3.
JBU har i denne Sæson indført nye Betegnelser, som ikke er særlig velegnede, men overmaade logiske. Jyllandsserien er den nye Betegnelse for Mesterrækken. Den nye Række, som oprettes mellem den gamle Mellemrække og Mesterrække skal hedde Serie 1, og den gamle Mellemrække faar Navnet Serie 2. Den tidligere A-Række Serie 3 o.s.v.
- "Jydsk Boldspil Union har 187.000 kroner i kassen" (in Danish). No. 53. Viborg Stiftstidende. 4 March 1957. p. 5.
Ny Turneringsrække: Et forslag fra JBU's bestyrelse om oprettelse af en ny turneringsrække mellem serie 1 og serie 2 på otte kredse med hver tolv hold blev vedtaget.
- "Saa kom Jydsk Boldspil-Union med en Redegørelse for Oprykningen" (in Danish). Vol. 134, no. 215. Thisted Amtsavis. 17 September 1957. p. 5.
- "Den jyske serie 5 ændres : Jysk boldspil union har vedtaget at oprette en serie 6" (in Danish). Vol. 80, no. 35. Aalborg Amtstidende. 5 February 1968. p. 9.
Delegeretmødet vedtog en ændring med hensyn til den jyske serie 5, der hidtil har været den lavest rangerende seniorrække, og som har bestaaet af 64 kreds. [Serie] 5 inddeles fremtidig i 32 kredse hver bestaaende af 10 hold, og samtidig oprettes en serie 6, der i alt kommer til at omfatte 64 kredse.
- Jensen, Uffe; Hallgren, Jesper; Næsborg, Ejvind; Skjoldby, Kurt; Heinrichas, Osvald; Norup, Gustav (8 August 2002). "De første 50 år / Turneringer med forhindringer". Sjællands Boldspil-Union 1902-2002 (in Danish) (1st ed.). Roskilde: Zealand Football Association (SBU). pp. 8–11.
- "Strukturen i Sjællandsserien på plads" (in Danish). www.dbusjaelland.dk. DBU Sjælland. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- Larsen, René (5–7 September 2014). "To Sjællandsserier næste år" (in Danish). SN.dk. Sjællandske Medier. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- Andersen, Harald (1956). "De sidste 25 Aar, som huskes bedst- !; Vindere af LFBUs Mesterskab fra 1906-1956". Raske Bolddrenges Leg paa Sydhavsøerne gennem 50 Aar (in Danish). Nykøbing Falster: Lolland-Falsters Boldspil-Union. pp. 16, 32, 34–35, 39, 79.
- "Dansk Boldspil-Union" (in Danish). Lolland-Falster Stifts-Tidende. 25 June 1924. p. 2.
Foraarsturneringen vandtes af »Frem«, Sakskøbing; men da denne og Efteraarsturneringen i Fællesskab afgør Resultatet, blev dette alligevel, at »B. 1901«, Nykøbing, stod som Sejrsherre. I 2.-Holds Turneringen vandt Nakskov for 4. Gang den vandrende Pokal. For første Gang forsøgte man en 3. Holds-Turnering. Den talte 6 Deltagere, og Nakskov Boldklub blev her Nr. 1. I Juniorturneringen sejrede »B 1901«. I Landsbyturneringen slog Falster, ved Nørre Alslev Boldklub, Lolland ved Hjelm Boldklub.
- "L.F.B.U.s Generalforsamling i Maribo" (in Danish). No. 175. Nakskov: Lolland-Falster Social-Demokrat. 1 August 1938. pp. 2, 7.
Mesterrækken døbes om og skal hedde L.F. Serien.
- Holm, Kim (2007). "BBU og dens turneringer: Seniorrækkerne; Bornholms Serien; Rækkevindere Senior". Bornholmsk fodbold gennem 100 år : BBU 100 år (in Danish) (1st ed.). Rønne: Bornholms Tidendes Forlag/Bornholms Boldspil Union. pp. 11, 440–449. ISBN 978-87-7799-185-1.
I BBU's første år kaldtes øens førende række for A-rækken. Det er siden ændret tre gange. Første gang i 1924/25 til Mesterskabsrækken med en A-række og en andetholdsrække under sig. Anden gang i 1945/46 til Bornholmsserien, hvilket holdt sig til 2003, hvor pengenes indtog i fodbolden - udover klubtrøjer og reklameskilte - også nåede Bornholm. DiBa Bank meldte sig som sponsor af Bornholmsserien, der skiftede navn til DiBa-serien. Sekundarækkerne kaldtes efter krigen for A-, B- og C-rækken, inden disse i 1977 skiftede navn til Serie 1, 2 og så videre.
- "Bornholms Boldspil-Union" (in Danish). No. 148. Bornholms Social-Demokrat. 1 July 1924. p. 2.
[...] afholdt i Søndags ordinær Generalforsamling paa Kanns Hotel i Aakirkeby [...] Turneringens fremtidige Inddeling blev derefter diskuteret. Et forslag om at lade de bedste Hold udgøre en Mesterskabsrække og lade Resten af I. Holdene spille i en selvstændig Række vedtoges. Det bliver herefter saadan, at det bedste Hold i A-Rækken skal spille Oprykningskampe mod det daarligste Hold i Mesterskabsrækken.
- "Fodboldpremieren" (in Danish). No. 183. Bornholms Social-Demokrat. 18 August 1945. p. 5.
Paa Søndag er der Premiere i den bornholmske Fodboldturnering, og en Snes Hold skal i Ilden fra de forskellige Rækker. Den eneste Række, som holder Hvil, er Bornholms-Serien, et nyt Navn for vor tidligere Mesterskabsrække. [...] Turneringen er inddelt i 5 Rækker, hvoraf alle med Undtagelse af Bornholms-Serien er inddelt i 2 eller 3 Kredse. Saaledes tæller A-Rækken 3 Kredse, Junior A-Rækken 2 Kredse, Junior B-Rækken 2 Kredse og Drenge-rækken 2 Kredse. Kredsvinderne i de enkelte Rækker skal saa møde hinanden i Slutkampe om det endelige Mesterskab.
- "Historie: Aldersgrupper og Pokalturneringer: Senior: Damer/Kvinder". www.dbukoebenhavn.dk (in Danish). DBU Copenhagen. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- "Ny turneringsstruktur for pige- og kvindefodbold" (in Danish). Dansk Boldspil-Union (DBU). 4 February 2016. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
Fakta: Ændringerne i strukturen for kvinde- og pigehold,- hvis ikke andet nævnt, gældende fra sæson 16/17. 3F-ligaen: Formel ændring af navnet "Elitedivision" til "Kvindeliga"
- "Propositioner for Danmarksturneringen i kvindefodbold (Kvinde-DM) (2016–17)". www.dbu.dk (in Danish). Dansk Boldspil-Union (DBU). June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- Pedersen, Christine Møller (6 February 2016). "Kvindeligaen: DBU ændrer slutspillet i den bedste række" (in Danish). DR.dk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
Udover ændringen af slutspillet skifter den bedste danske liga, Elitedivisionen, nu navn til Kvindeligaen.