1976–77 Eerste Divisie

The Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 1976–77 season was contested by 19 teams. Vitesse Arnhem won the championship.

New entrants
Relegated from the 1975–76 Eredivisie
 * SBV Excelsior
 * MVV Maastricht

Promotion competition
In the promotion competition, four period winners (the best teams during each of the four quarters of the regular competition) played for promotion to the Eredivisie.