The 2016–17 Derde Divisie season is the first edition of the new Dutch fourth tier, formerly called Topklasse, since the restructuring of the league system in the summer of 2016.
This change in the league system was approved in a KNVB assembly in December 2014. A new semi-professional level Tweede Divisie was added at the third tier, thus the Derde Divisie and leagues below it decremented by one level, and furthermore, promotion and relegation between the Tweede Divisie and the new Derde Divisie became effective.[1][2]
Source: Tweededivisie.org(in Dutch) (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated Notes:
^ abHarkemase Boys and ODIN '59 were deducted one point for not having the required number of players with a contract.[5]
^Jong Almere were deducted one point for having three players from the first team on the field at the same time, while the rules only allow two players from the first team on the field at the same time.
Source: Tweededivisie.org(in Dutch) (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated Notes:
^ abcdefghijRKVV Westlandia, VV Dongen, Quick '20, USV Hercules, Be Quick 1887, EVV, OJC Rosmalen, HBS Craeyenhout, Magreb '90, Juliana '31 and UDI '19 were deducted one point for not having the required number of players with a contract.[5]
^Magreb '90 was deducted one point for not having the required number of players with a contract and an additional three points for failing to meet the license criteria in general.
^Jong Achilles '29 was deducted one point for having one dispensation player too many on the team in the away match against Quick '20
Promotion/relegation play-offs Tweede and Derde Divisie
The numbers 15 and 16 from the 2016–17 Tweede Divisie and three (substitute) period winners of each of the 2016–17 Derde Divisie's, making a total of eight teams, decide in a 2-round knockout system in which two teams will play next season in the 2017–18 Tweede Divisie. The remaining six teams will play next season in the 2017–18 Derde Divisie.
Stadium: Sportpark De Bosk Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Edgar Bijl
Promotion/relegation play-offs Derde Divisie and Hoofdklasse
The numbers 15 and 16 from the 2016–17 Derde Divisie Saturday league and 3 (substitute) period winners of each of the two 2016–17 Hoofdklasse Saturday leagues, making a total of 8 teams, decided in a 2-round knockout system which 2 teams play next season in the 2017–18 Derde Divisie Saturday league. The remaining 6 teams play next season in the 2017–18 Hoofdklasse Saturday leagues.
The same applied for the 2016–17 Derde Divisie Sunday league and each of the two 2016–17 Hoofdklasse Sunday leagues.