1961–62 Eerste Divisie

The Dutch Eerste Divisie for the 1961/1962 season was contested by 36 teams. It was the last time the Eerste Divisie was divided into two groups, as next season there would only be one division of sixteen teams: this meant that many teams were relegated to the Tweede Divisie. Heracles won the championship after a play-off against Fortuna Vlaardingen and were promoted to the Eredivisie.

Group A
Promoted from the 1960–61 Tweede Divisie: Relegated from the 1960–61 Eredivisie: Entered from the B-group:
 * HFC Haarlem
 * Alkmaar '54
 * DHC
 * FC Eindhoven
 * Go Ahead
 * 't Gooi
 * VV Helmond
 * Sittardia
 * SVV

Group B
Promoted from the 1960–61 Tweede Divisie: Relegated from the 1960–61 Eredivisie: Entered from the A-group:
 * FC Hilversum
 * RKVV Wilhelmina
 * Elinkwijk
 * TSV NOAD
 * Enschedese Boys
 * Hermes DVS
 * Hollandia Victoria Combinatie
 * Limburgia
 * RBC

Promotion play-off
Heracles promoted to Eredivisie.

Relegation play-off
SVV relegated to Tweede Divisie.