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Eliteserien

Eliteserien is the top professional men’s football league in Norway and the highest level of the Norwegian football league system.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Eliteserien is the top professional men's football league in Norway and the highest level of the Norwegian football league system. The league currently consists of 16 clubs and uses promotion and relegation with the Norwegian First Division. The season typically runs from March to November, with many matches played on Sunday evenings.

History

The league was founded in 1937 as Norgesserien, with the first season played in 1937–38. It was renamed Tippeligaen in 1990 and adopted the name Eliteserien after the 2016 season.

Format

Eliteserien is contested by 16 teams that play each other twice, once at home and once away, for 30 matches per club. The league uses promotion and relegation with the Norwegian First Division.

European qualification

The league's top finishers qualify for UEFA club competitions through Norway's allocation places. The exact number of places can vary by season and UEFA ranking.

Records and success

Rosenborg is the most successful club in the league's history. Other multiple champions include Fredrikstad, Viking, Lillestrøm, Molde, and Vålerenga.

Key facts

  • Eliteserien is the highest level of men's football in Norway.
  • The league currently consists of 16 clubs.
  • Each club plays the others home and away for 30 matches per season.
  • The competition began in 1937 under the name Norgesserien.
  • The most successful club is Rosenborg, with 26 league titles.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may encounter Eliteserien through Norwegian players, UEFA competitions, and international football coverage, but it has no major direct Canadian domestic connection.

Frequently asked questions

What is Eliteserien?
Eliteserien is Norway's top men's professional football league.
How many teams play in Eliteserien?
Sixteen teams compete in the league.
When is the season played?
The season usually runs from March to November.
What was Eliteserien called before 2017?
It was called Tippeligaen from 1990 to 2016.
Which club has won the most titles?
Rosenborg has won the most Eliteserien titles.
How many matches does each club play?
Each club plays 30 matches, facing every other team home and away.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliteserien
    Supports: League level, founding year, format, season timing, 16 clubs, and history of name changes.
  2. Wikipedia (Finnish) — https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliteserien_(jalkapallo)
    Supports: League format, 16 teams, promotion and relegation, and Rosenborg’s title record.
  3. Wikipedia (Czech) — https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliteserien
    Supports: Name change from Tippeligaen to Eliteserien and league structure.