1971–72 Eerste Divisie

The Dutch Eerste Divisie (First Division) in the 1971–72 season was contested by 21 teams, five more than in the previous year. Due to the disbandment of the Tweede Divisie, six teams were promoted to the Eerste Divisie; the rest of the teams returned to amateur football. As a result of the disbandment, teams no longer could relegate to lower leagues. HFC Haarlem won the championship.

New entrants
Promoted from the 1970–71 Tweede Divisie: Relegated from the 1970–71 Eredivisie:
 * FC Eindhoven
 * Fortuna Vlaardingen
 * PEC Zwolle
 * Roda JC
 * De Volewijckers
 * VVV-Venlo
 * AZ'67
 * HFC Haarlem