Dutch korfball explained

Dutch korfball is organised in a pyramid of leagues, and the season runs in two parts: indoors in winter, and outdoors in autumn and spring. This page explains how the competitions fit together and how to follow them on korfbalinc.nl.

The top: Korfbal League and Korfbal League 2

The Korfbal League is the top level of indoor korfball in the Netherlands. In the 2026-2027 season ten teams play in it. The four best teams in the standings go to the play-offs, and the final is on 17 April 2027 in Ahoy. The number nine plays play-down matches, and the number ten is relegated to the Korfbal League 2. So the League has one direct relegation place.

The Korfbal League 2 is the level below, also with ten teams. The number one is promoted to the Korfbal League. The numbers two and three play a series, and the number four plays against the number nine of the Korfbal League. The numbers nine and ten are relegated to the Hoofdklasse. So Korfbal League 2 has one promotion place and two relegation places.

The 2026-2027 League season starts on Friday 6 November 2026, with matches on 6, 7 and 8 November.

Below the League

Hoofdklasse is the next level down in the indoor ladder. Below it come the lower classes, in this order: Overgangsklasse, Eerste klasse, Tweede klasse, Derde klasse and Vierde klasse. Each class has several groups (called poules in Dutch), each with its own standings.

The women have their own top competition, the Topklasse dames, which is played both outdoors and indoors. There are also reserve and youth competitions at many levels.

Indoor and outdoor

Korfball is played in two seasons, which we call zaal (indoor, in winter) and veld (outdoor, in autumn and spring).

• Indoor (zaal) is the winter season. The Korfbal League and Korfbal League 2 are indoor competitions. The indoor season builds towards the League play-offs and the final in April.
• Outdoor (veld) is split into an autumn part and a spring part. The Ereklasse on the field is the outdoor top level. In the autumn, the number four in each Ereklasse group is relegated to the Hoofdklasse; in the spring different rules apply, with relegation groups.

A season has a double year, such as 2026-2027, because it runs from one calendar year into the next.

International korfball

The European Korfball Championship 2026 is held in Czechia in October. Korfbalinc.nl has a separate page for it, with fixtures, results, standings and livestreams. More international korfball is under International.

Following korfball on korfbalinc.nl

• My club: choose the clubs, teams and competitions you follow. The page then shows your match, this weekend's fixtures, results, standings, news and transfers for your clubs. Your choice stays on your own device.
• Live: livestreams of matches that are being played now, those coming up in the next days, and those you can watch back.
• Results, fixtures and standings: every competition, indoor and outdoor, with the top competitions first. Results are updated shortly after matches finish.
• Transfers: who moves between clubs.
• News: match reports, analysis and the weekly overview Het Weekend (in Dutch: "The Weekend") on Sundays during the season.

Times on the site are Dutch local time.

Glossary