The Eredivisie is the top professional football league in the Netherlands, founded in 1956. Although the country is small, its league has produced an outsized number of famous players and coaches.
The format
Eighteen clubs play each other twice for a total of 34 matches. Three points are given for a win and one for a draw, and the club with the most points becomes the champion.
The big three
Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord are known as the Big Three. Between them they have won most of the titles in the competition’s history.
Attacking football
Dutch football has always encouraged attacking play and young talent. The league is famous for high-scoring matches and for giving youngsters early opportunities.