Division 1 Norra (literally, "Division 1 Northern") is one of two leagues of the third level, Division 1, in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 14 Swedishfootball teams. Division 1 Norra had status as one of the official second level leagues from 1987 to 1999, but was replaced by Superettan in 2000, however it was recreated for the 2006 season, now on the third level instead.
History
The old Division 1 Norra replaced Division 2Norra as one of the two second highest level leagues in 1987 and consisted of 14 teams, except for the 1991 and 1992 seasons when it comprised only 8 teams due to the second level having four leagues.
The competition
There are 14 clubs in Division 1 Norra. During the course of a season (starting in April and ending in October) each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 26 games. At the end of each season the three lowest placed teams are relegated to Division 2 and three winning teams from three of the Division 2 leagues are promoted in their place. The top team in Division 1 Norra is promoted to Superettan and one of the two lowest placed teams from Superettan are relegated in their place. The second placed teams in Division 1 Norra plays a promotion/relegation play-off against the third or fourth lowest team in Superettan.