A-Liga

A-Liga
Organising bodyDBU
Founded1974; 52 years ago (1974)
First season1975
CountryDenmark
ConfederationUEFA
Divisions2 (1975–1980)
1 (1981–present)
Number of clubs10 (2026–present)
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toB-Liga
Domestic cup(s)Danish Women's Cup
(1992–present)
International cup(s)Champions League
Europa Cup
Current championsHB Køge (4th title)
(2025–26)
Most championshipsFortuna Hjørring
Brøndby IF
(12 titles)
Broadcaster(s)TV 2 (2025–)
Websitewww.a-liga.dk
Current: 2026–27 A-Liga

A-Liga is a semi-professional association football league in Denmark and the highest division of the Danish football league system. Contested by 10 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation within the Danish Women's Football League. The league is overseen by the Danish Football Association (DBU). Clubs in the league must meet certain criteria concerning appropriate facilities and finances. All 10 clubs in the league qualify for the Danish Cup (Danish: DBU KvindePokalen). Each season's winners and runners-up qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League qualification, while the bronze medallists qualify for the UEFA Women's Europa Cup qualification.

According to FIFA's 2023 Women's Benchmarking Report, the 2021-22 league season drew an average of 388 fans per game, 57% of players had signed compensated player contracts (with an average annual salary of $10-15k USD), and 29% of players enjoyed football as their primary income. A rise in interest and participation in women's football has driven increased investment into the league in recent years, although the best players in Denmark still often depart for fully professional clubs abroad.

In March 2025, TV 2 announced that they had secured the broadcasting rights to the league, running until 2031.

Format

The main round of the league is played in autumn as a double round-robin tournament between the 8 participating teams, where each team plays against each other both at home and away. The six best placed teams qualify for the spring championship play-offs, another double round-robin tournament among the six participating teams. From the 2021–22 season onwards, the scores from the regular season have been carried over into the championship play-offs.

The two bottom ranked teams instead play in qualification play-offs, a double round-robin tournament with the top four teams of 2025–26 B-Liga for two spots in 2026–27 A-Liga. The scores from the main league round are not carried over into the qualification play-offs.

Changes

From 1994 to 2005/06 the league consisted of 8 teams playing each other 3 times and the best team then was awarded the championship. The last team was relegated with the second-to-last team facing the second team of the 1st Division in play-offs.

2006/07 was a transition year as the league expanded to 10 teams. The last placed team after the season played a relegation match against the third placed team of the 1st Division, for a place in Elitedivisionen. The top two teams of the 1. division were automatically promoted.

From 2007/08 to 2012/13 the league consisted of 10 teams. Those 10 teams played a double round robin as a regular season. After that there would be two play-off groups; first to fourth-placed of the regular season would play for the championship, while fifth to tenth-placed would play to stay in the top flight. In the Playoffs, the points accumulated over the regular season are divided by 2 (rounding up if necessary). Those points are the starting points for the playoffs. The Championship group plays another round robin (6 matches each) with the winner being awarded the championship title. The Relegation Group plays a single round robin (5 matches each) after which, the bottom two clubs are relegated.

The 2013/14 season again was played only with eight teams. The top six after the regular season play a championship league, the seventh and the eight placed teams play in a qualification league determining whether they keep their spots or get relegated.

In August 2025, it was announced that the 2026–2027 season would be expanded to include 10 teams.

History

The league's status as semi-professional presented challenges for its return-to-play from the 2019–2020 COVID-19 pandemic, as initially only fully professional sports were allowed to resume in Denmark following the pandemic.

On 3 December 2026 the A-Liga attendance record was broken with 8,047 spectators.

Name

The division has gone through multiple iterations over the course of its history. It began as The Danish Ladies Tournament (Danmarksturneringen i damefodbold, 1975 to 1980), then Danish Ladies 1st Division (Dame 1. division, 1981 to 1992), The Danish Elite Division (Elitedivisionen, 1993 to 2015–16) and The Danish Women's League (Kvindeligaen, 2016–17 to 2024–25). For sponsorship reasons, it was known as 3F Ligaen for fourteen seasons (2005–06 until 2018–19) and from 2019–2025 as Gjensidige Kvindeligaen.

In 2025, the pyramid was renamed, with the top flight now called A-Liga, and the corresponding lower levels B-Liga and C-Liga, respectively.

Clubs

Champions

The list also includes the 1973 and 1974 national tournament finals champions that were crowned before the establishment of the nationwide top-flight division in 1975. Italics indicate former champions that are currently outside the A-Liga.

Club Winners Runners-up Winning seasons
Fortuna Hjørring 12 22 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2024–25
Brøndby IF 12 11 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2018–19
AGF 10 6 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996–97, 1997–98
B 1909 5 5 1981, 1983, 1985, 1992, 1993
Ribe BK 5 1 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979
HB Køge 4 0 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2025–26
BK Femina 3 4 1975, 1977, 1980
OB Q 2 0 1999–2000, 2000–01
FC Nordsjælland 1 1 2023–24
  1. ↑ The collective wins of the respective previous incarnations of the club, Hjortshøj-Egå IK and IK Skovbakken

2026–27 season

Club 2025–26 First Total Recent # Titles Latest title
ASA Fodbold 9th 2016 2 2026–27 1 0 N/a
Brøndby IF 2nd 1996 31 2000–01 27 12 2018–19
Copenhagen 8th 2026–27 1 2026–27 N/a 0 N/a
Fortuna Hjørring 3rd 1975 52 1979 48 12 2024–25
HB Køge 1st 2020–21 7 2020–21 N/a 4 2025–26
Kolding IF 6th 1975 31 2008–09 18 0 N/a
FC Midtjylland 7th 2025–26 2 2025–26 N/a 0 N/a
FC Nordsjælland 4th 2019–20 8 2019–20 N/a 1 2023–24
Odense Boldklub Q 10th 1990 33 2024–25 3 2 2000–01
Aarhus GF 5th 1976 52 1976 N/a 10 1997–98
  1. ↑ AGF encompasses the history of former A-Liga clubs Hjortshøj-Egå (HEI), IK Skovbakken, and VSK Aarhus.

Top flight seasons

As of the 2026–27 season

More than 70 teams have played in the top flight since its inaugural season in 1975. However, several teams have merged over the years to form the current clubs, the combined results of which will be displayed where noted. The teams in bold compete in the A-Liga currently, while the teams in italics are now defunct.

Incomplete

# Club Total Latest
1 Fortuna Hjørring 52 2027
2 AGF Fodbold 2027
3 BSF 36 2020
4 OB Q 33 2027
5 Brøndby IF 31 2027
6 Kolding IF 2027
7 Vejle B 28 2018
8 Rødovre BK 26 1999
9 B 1909 20 1994
10 Hillerød Fodbold 15 2002
11 BK Femina 14 2000
12 Ringsted IF 13
13 BK Stjernen 11
14 B52/Aalborg FC 10 2001
15 Sydmors IF 1993
16 Sundby BK 9 2023
17 Varde IF 2018
18 Vorup 2000
19 FC Nordsjælland 8 2027
20 Viborg FF 2015
21 HB Køge 7 2027
22 Næstved HG 1986
23 AaB 2024
24 Frederiksberg BK 6 2004
25 Herning IK
26 Ribe BK 1980
27 FC Thy-Thisted Q 2024
28 G&IF Orient 5 1979
29 Herrested IF 1981
30 Uhre G&IF 1984
31 Virum-Sorgenfri BK 1984
32 B.93 4 2025
33 Horsens SIK 2005
34 Nakskov BK 1982
35 Roskilde BK 1987
36 SønderjyskE 2012
37 BK Skjold 3 2011
38 Brande IF 1980
39 Sønderborg BK 1984
40 Taastrup FC 2014
41 ASA Fodbold 2 2027
42 Bispebjerg BK 1979
43 B 1921 2003
44 FC Copenhagen 2027
45 IF Fladså 1986
46 FV Copenhagen 2004
47 BK Mariendal 1977
48 FC Midtjylland 2027
49 Aarby G&IF 1981
50 Billum IF 1 1975
51 B 1913 2013
52 Frigg Næstved 1991
53 Glamsbjerg IF 1979
54 Greve Fodbold 1989
55 Grønbjerg IF 1992
56 Herlev IF 1978
57 Holstebro KFUM 1977
58 KFUM Copenhagen 1980
59 NB Bornholm 1978
60 Nørre Aaby IK 1980
61 Roerslev IF 1976
62 Skive IK 1979
63 Svaneke BK 1980
64 BK Syd-Vest 1978
65 Tuse IF 1975
66 Tved BK 1975
67 Vejlby IK 2009
Notes
  1. ↑ Represented by VSK Aarhus from 2016-2020 (a merger between IK Skovbakken and Vejlby IK); IK Skovbakken from 2002–2016; and from 1976 to 2001 by Hjortshøj-Egå Aarhus (HEI).
  2. ↑ 26 seasons in the top-flight as Skovlunde IF.
  3. ↑ This is the combined total of OB, Odense Q, and the current OB Q constellation, the two latter derived from the original OB team.
  4. ↑ Includes seasons as Kolding BK and Kolding Q.
  5. ↑ Varde IF merged with Esbjerg fB in 2025.
  6. ↑ From 1994–2020, the club competed as Farum BK.
  7. ↑ Six seasons in the top-flight as part of Team Viborg, while Team Viborg without Viborg FF had two seasons in the top tier. The history of the teams were united following the 2023 merger under the Viborg FF organisation.
  8. ↑ A merger of Herlufsholm GF (HG) and Næstved IF, the club previously competed in the top flight as Næstved IF.
  9. ↑ Frederiksberg Boldklub competed from 2001–2004 as FV Copenhagen, a merger with Vanløse IF.
  10. ↑ B.93 competed in the top flight from 2012–2014 as part of a merger with Hellerup IK and BK Skjold.
  11. ↑ Dissolved following the club's third season in the top-flight.
  12. ↑ Copenhagen took over FC Damsø's license.
  13. ↑ Not affiliated with FC Copenhagen; FV is for Frederiksberg and Vanløse, respectively.
  14. ↑ Is now a part of AGF, but had one independent top-flight season while AGF's mainline club IK Skovbakken also played in the top flight.

Derbies

The most common derbies exist either between the biggest cities in the country (as they tend to be represented in the league) or the most successful in the league, the latter of which has changed over the decades.

For the first few years before the league was established, Ribe BK and BK Stjernen faced off in the finals tournament from 1972–1974. Ribe continued staking their claim on Danish football with the establishment of the league in 1975, reaching four out of six finals until the league was collated into one division from 1981. However, the strongest team in the early days of the league were pioneers BK Femina which reached every single final from 1975 to 1980. The new league saw Aarhus team HEI dominate the 1980s and early '90s, winning the league 8 times, 6 of them in a row from 1986–1991. HEI's closest competitors were Funen outfit B 1909 which took home the league trophy four times between 1981 and 1992. The 1993 creation of the new top-flight, The Elite Division, saw Fortuna Hjørring come to the fore winning the league four times in the '90s, while stalwarts HEI became their fiercest rivals.

In the '00s, the rivalry between Fortuna and Brøndby was consolidated, albeit with Brøndby claiming the most success winning the league six times in a row, as HEI had done two decades prior, where Fortuna won the league thrice. This rivalry has continued to dominate the league through the 2010s and 2020s. The arrival of HB Køge in the 2020s, however, has thrown a wrench into the bilateral dominance of the league, as has the general level of the clubs improving, making the league increasingly competitive. With the founding of Copenhagen in 2024, the first Copenhagen derby will take place in the 2026–27 A-Liga.

Regional
Historic (1970s–1990s)
Classic (2000s–)
Recent (2020s–)

Hall of Fame members

The Danish Football Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to celebrate the achievements and contributions of outstanding Danish players and staff. Six total players have been inducted into the Danish Football Hall of Fame, two of whom have also managed clubs in the Danish top tier A-Liga, as well as one male former A-Liga coach.

Recipient Year Club(s)
Lone Smidt Nielsen 2016 B1909 (1978–85; 1987–90), Kolding IF (1976–78)
Katrine Pedersen 2022 Hjortshøj-Egå (HEI)/IK Skovbakken (1994–02)
Helle Jensen 2024 B52/Aalborg FC, B1909 (1989–94), Fortuna Hjørring (1994–00)
Merete Pedersen Vejle B, OB
Poul Højmose 2025 Hjortshøj-Egå (HEI)
Lene Terp PLAYER: Vejle B (1993–1996), OB (1997–01; 2002–03)
MANAGER: Kolding (2013–16), Fortuna Hjørring (2023–2026)
Bonny Madsen 2026 Rødovre BK (1992–95)

Awards

Player of the Year

The player of the season is chosen by the players in the league by vote and awarded by the trade union Spillerforeningen.

Season Player Club Ref.
2025–26 Denmark Mille Gejl HB Køge
2024–25 Nigeria Joy Omewa Fortuna Hjørring
2023–24 Denmark Sarah Dyrehauge AGF
2022–23 Denmark Nanna Christiansen Brøndby
2021–22 United States Kyra Carusa HB Køge
2020–21 Denmark Olivia Holdt Fortuna Hjørring
2019–20 Denmark Nanna Christiansen Brøndby
2018–19
2017–18 Denmark Stine Sandbech
2016 Romania Florentina Olar Fortuna Hjørring
  1. ↑ Before the 2017-18 season, the award was awarded for the calendar year.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ PREVIOUS:
    20 (1975–1980)
    12 (1981–1992)
    8 (1993–2007)
    10 (2007–2015)
    8 (2015–2026)

References

  1. 1 2 "TV 2 sikrer sig rettighederne til Kvindeligaen - TV 2". sport.tv2.dk (in Danish). 27 March 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "Propositioner for Danmarksturneringen i kvindefodbold (Kvinde-DM) (2020–21)". www.dbu.dk (in Danish). Dansk Boldspil-Union (DBU). June 2021. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "DBUs Klublicenssystem : Licensmanual for Kvindeligaen 2021/2022" (PDF). www.dbu.dk (in Danish). Danish Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  4. ↑ DBU. "A-liga". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Women's Euro 2025 team guides: Denmark". The Guardian. 26 June 2025. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "'Setting the Pace' FIFA Benchmarking Report (3rd Edition)". FIFA. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Tejwani, Karan (10 May 2022). "Analysing The Rise of Women's Football in Denmark". Breaking The Lines. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Propositioner for DM i kvindefodbold". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Danmarks bedste række udvides - TV 2". sport.tv2.dk (in Danish). 6 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "Danmarks bedste fodboldrække for kvinder udvides med to hold". Politiken - Den levende avis (in Danish). 6 August 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  11. ↑ Frigaard, Anders Melchior (8 May 2020). "Kvindeligaen kan måske genoptages: Afventer svar fra regeringen" (in Danish). DR / www.dr.dk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "Ny tilskuerrekord i A-Ligaen" (in Danish). TV2 Danmark. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
  13. ↑ Pedersen, Christine Møller (6 February 2016). "Kvindeligaen: DBU ændrer slutspillet i den bedste række" (in Danish). DR.dk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022. Udover ændringen af slutspillet skifter den bedste danske liga, Elitedivisionen, nu navn til Kvindeligaen.
  14. ↑ "Ny turneringsstruktur for pige- og kvindefodbold" (in Danish). Dansk Boldspil-Union (DBU). 4 February 2016. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022. Fakta: Ændringerne i strukturen for kvinde- og pigehold,- hvis ikke andet nævnt, gældende fra sæson 16/17. 3F-ligaen: Formel ændring af navnet "Elitedivision" til "Kvindeliga"
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  22. ↑ Sandvad, Henrik C. (4 June 2001). "Storsejr ikke nok for HEI". Jyllands-Posten (in Danish). Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "Arvefjender mødes tidligt". Jyllands-Posten (in Danish). 15 August 2000. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
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  30. ↑ "Lone Smidt Nielsen". DBU (in Danish). 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  31. ↑ "Katrine Søndergaard Pedersen". DBU (in Danish). 24 June 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  32. ↑ "Helle Jensen". DBU (in Danish). 1 June 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  33. ↑ "Merete Pedersen". DBU (in Danish). 1 June 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  34. ↑ "Poul Højmose". DBU (in Danish). 30 May 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
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  43. ↑ "Nanna Christiansen kåret til Årets Profil i Gjensidige Kvindeliga 2022/23 | Fodbold for piger". www.fodboldforpiger.dk (in Danish). 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
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