Norwegian Fourth Division

The Norwegian Fourth Division, also called 4. divisjon, is the fifth highest division of the men's football league in Norway. Like the rest of the Norwegian football league system, the season runs from spring to autumn, running approximately from April to October.

Norwegian Fourth Division
Founded1991
1963[citation needed]–1990 (as 5. divisjon)
CountryNorway
ConfederationUEFA
Number of clubs278 (22 groups from 18 districts)
Level on pyramid5
Promotion toNorwegian Third Division
Relegation toNorwegian Fifth Division
Domestic cup(s)Norwegian Cup
Websitefotball.no
Current: 2024 Norwegian Fourth Division

In 2019, it was decided that not all 24 group winners would promote to 3. divisjon.[1] A play-off system was established and the number of teams promoting from 4. divisjon was reduced to 18. Since the 2017 season, 4. divisjon teams have been eligible to qualify for the Norwegian Cup. Ahead of the 2020 season, the number of groups were reduced to 22.

Like in the rest of the Norwegian football league system, all the teams play each other twice, once at home and once away. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and if two teams are equal on points, the one with the best goal difference is above the other on the table. The teams are placed in the 24 sections according to geographic considerations.

The District Football Associations are responsible for the administration of 4. divisjon. The Norwegian Football Federation is responsible for the administration of 3. divisjon and the higher tiers of the Norwegian football league system.

History

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1963–2010

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The 4. divisjon was known as the 5. divisjon from 1963 until 1990, when the top-tier league changed its name to Tippeligaen, the 2. divisjon became the 1. divisjon and the names of all the lower divisions were adjusted accordingly.

2012–2016

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From 2012 to 2016, 4. divisjon consisted of 26 parallel sections of 10 to 15 teams, and a total of 34 teams promoted from 4. divisjon.[2]

2017–

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After changes in the Norwegian football pyramid, no teams were promoted from the 4. divisjon after the 2016 season. The fifth tier was split into twenty-four groups.

With fewer teams in the above tiers of the football pyramid, 4. divisjon teams routinely participate in the Norwegian Football Cup.

In 2020, the number of groups was reduced to 22.

Reserve teams

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Reserve teams of clubs from higher divisions can participate in the 4. divisjon. Reserve teams of clubs from the 3. divisjon can not be promoted from the 4. divisjon.[3]

Winners

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2017–

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Teams in italics lost promotion play-offs and were not promoted.

Group 1–12

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Season Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 Group 7 Group 8 Group 9 Group 10 Group 11 Group 12
2017 Selbak Gjelleråsen Grei Rilindja KFUM Oslo 2 Løten Ottestad Åssiden Sandefjord 2 Urædd Donn Egersund 2
2018 Sarpsborg 08 2 Ull/Kisa 2 Årvoll Nordstrand Rommen Raufoss 2 Kongsvinger 2 Mjøndalen 2 Flint Storm Mandalskameratene Bryne 2
2019 Fredrikstad 2 Funnefoss/Vormsund Nesodden Grorud 2 Skeid 2 Toten Trysil Åssiden Sandefjord 2 Urædd Express Hinna
2021 Sprint-Jeløy Grei Kjelsås 2 Skjetten Lillehammer Engerdal Vestfossen Sandefjord 2 Urædd Søgne Randesund Sandnes Ulf 2
2022 Råde KFUM 2 Ullern 2 Skedsmo Ham-Kam 2 Åskollen Sandefjord 2 Hei Donn Eiger Madla Loddefjord
2023 Råde Aurskog-Høland Ready Gamle Oslo Kongsvinger 2 Åssiden Flint Hei Vigør Sola FK Haugesund 2 Askøy
2024 Drøbak-Frogn Lyn 2 Grei Ull/Kisa 2 Lillehammer Vestfossen Åsgårdstrand Pors 2 Våg Hinna Torvastad Gneist

Group 13–24

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Season Group 13 Group 14 Group 15 Group 16 Group 17 Group 18 Group 19 Group 20 Group 21 Group 22 Group 23 Group 24
2017 Vardeneset Tertnes Øystese Sogndal 2 Hødd 2 Kristiansund 2 Levanger 2 Melhus Stålkameratene Melbo Skarp Bjørnevatn
2018 Djerv 1919 Os Bergen Nord Fjøra Aalesund 2 Sunndal Ranheim 2 Strindheim Bodø/Glimt 2 Leknes Tromsø 2 Norild
2019 Åkra Bjarg Sandviken Årdal Volda Kristiansund 2 NTNUI Tynset Rana Skånland Fløya 2 Tverrelvdalen
2021 Haugesund 2 Bremnes Bergen Nord Lyngbø Frøya Førde Hødd 2 Tomrefjord Levanger 2 Steinkjer Trygg/Lade Kvik
2022 Gneist Sogndal 2 Herd Kristiansund 2 Verdal Trønder-Lyn Mosjøen Skånland Hamna HIF/Stein - -
2023 Åsane 2 Årdal Herd Træff 21 Trygg/Lade Melhus Innstranda Harstad Ulfstind Kirkenes - -
2024 Lyngbø Fjøra Volda Åndalsnes Kvik Ranheim 2 Fauske/Sprint Sortland Tromsø 2 Alta 2 - -

Group 25–28

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Season Group 25 Group 26 Group 27 Group 28
2021 Innstranda Harstad Krokelvdalen Bossekop
2022 - - - -
2023 - - - -
2024 - - - -

Administration

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The District Football Associations are responsible for the administration of 4. divisjon. The Norwegian Football Federation is responsible for the administration of 3. divisjon and the higher tiers of the Norwegian football league system.

The current 22 groups are administered by the following districts:[4]

Current teams

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References

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  1. ^ "Tre lag ned fra Norsk Tipping-avdelingene". fotball.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Football Federation. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Opprykk og nedrykk 2013". nrk.no (in Norwegian). NRK. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  3. ^ Norwegian Football Association website (in Norwegian)
  4. ^ "Avdelingsoppsett 4. divisjon menn 2020". fotball.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Football Federation. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
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