The third tier of Danish football has undergone many changes as a buffer zone between the elite classes and amateur clubs. The division, that we today know as the Danish 2nd Division was back in days called the 3rd Division. It started already back in 1936 when III Series was created with two geographically divided constituencies, which included four teams each. Out of the eight teams, there was one who gained promotion to Serie II. In the years 1945–46, the third Division with 10 teams was grounded. One team gained promotion to 2nd Division, and one relegated to the Denmark Series. A change was made in 1951. The 3rd Division was expanded to 12 teams and to teams was relegated to a newly created Qualification Series – the new buffer between the Denmark Series and local leagues. The structure was changed again in 1966. Two geographical circles with 12 teams each were created. Only one team could be promoted and two teams be relegated. When we reached the 1975’s, the number of teams in the league got expanded and the 3rd Division rolled into one row with 16 teams, where two teams could be promoted to the 2nd Division and teams relegated to the Denmark Series.
From 3rd Division to 2nd Division
The Danish Superliga got a new name in 1991, and at the same time, was the second best division at the time, renamed to 1st Division instead of 2nd Division. The same story happened with the 3rd Division, that changed the name to the 2nd Division – as we know it today. The new 2nd Division consisted now of a West and an East pool. In 1997, the 2nd Division changes back to the old structure with a Qualification Series, but only three years later, they changed it back to have a West and East pool. From 2005, the 2nd Division was changed to have 14 teams each in the East and West pools, with three teams to promote. In addition, was there allowed access to have up to eight reserve teams of the Danish Superliga clubs, in the 2nd Division. The number of teams in the 2nd Division was increased to 16 teams in 2008. But in 2010 they removed the access to have reserve teams in the 2nd Division since they had grounded a Reserve League. This led to a real extension of the 2nd Division, leaving the 2nd Division back with only 8 teams in 2010. The 2nd Division did change again in 2015, that reduced the number of teams in the 2nd Division from 32 to 24. 3 pools with each 8 teams was created, where the four top finishers in each pool would be playing for promotion to the 1st Division, with promotion for the two best-placed teams. Also, there would be a relegation pool for the 12 teams that end up as 5–8 in one of their 3 pools, where the 9–12th places relegated to the Denmark Series.
Sponsors and logos
Former and current logos for the Danish 2nd Division.
Winners
Second tier until 1991
Season
Winner
1945–46
ØB
1946–47
OB
1947–48
B 1909
1948–49
Esbjerg fB
1949–50
B 1909
1950–51
Skovshoved IF
1951–52
KB
1952–53
AGF
1953–54
B 1909
1954–55
AIA, Aarhus
1955–56
Vejle Boldklub
1956–57
OB
1958
B 1903
1959
B 1913
1960
Køge BK
1961
Brønshøj BK
1962
AaB
1963
BK Frem
1964
Hvidovre IF
1965
AB
1966
Horsens fS
1967
B 1913
1968
B 1903
1969
Randers Sportsklub Freja
1970
B 1909
1971
AGF
1972
AB
1973
Holbæk B&I
1974
Vanløse IF
1975
Kastrup Boldklub
1976
Frederikshavn fI
1977
Næstved IF
1978
AaB
1979
Køge BK
1980
Viborg FF
1981
Brøndby IF
1982
BK Frem
1983
KB
1984
B 1903
1985
KB
1986
Hvidovre IF
1987
Silkeborg IF
1988
B 1913
1989
KB
1990
B 1909
From 1991 to 1997 the Danish 2nd Division was split into two groups, East and West.
Season
Winner
1997–98
B 1909
1998–99
Randers Sportsklub Freja
1999–2000
B 1913
2000–01
Kolding IF
2001–02
BK Skjold
2002–03
FC Nordjylland
2003–04
HIK
2004–05
Kolding FC
From 2005 to 2015 the Danish 2nd Division was split into two groups, East and West.
