1987–88 Eerste Divisie

The Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 1987–88 season was contested by 19 teams. RKC Waalwijk won the championship.

New entrants
Relegated from the 1986–87 Eredivisie
 * Excelsior
 * Go Ahead Eagles
 * SC Veendam

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.