2008–09 Eredivisie
The Eredivisie 2008–09 is the 53rd season of Eredivisie since its establishment in 1955. PSV were the reigning champions. The season began on 29 August 2008 with a game between Vitesse Arnhem and FC Groningen and ended on 10 May 2009. A total of 18 teams take part in the league, consisting of 16 who competed in the previous season and two promoted from the Eerste Divisie. The teams promoted from the Eerste Divisie at the end of the previous season were champions FC Volendam, and play-off winners ADO Den Haag. AZ clinched their second title, their  first coming in 1981. League table. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude> Play-offs. European competition (best of 3). Contrary to the play-offs of previous years, only teams placed 6th through 9th compete in a play-off tournament for one spot in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League 2009–10. Relegation. The 16th and 17th placed teams, along with the teams from Eerste Divisie, participate in a play-off for two spots in 2009–10 Eredivisie. Round 3 (best of 3). RKC Waalwijk and Roda JC will play in Eredivisie 2009–10. Television rights. The Dutch public broadcaster NOS broadcast the match  highlights after beating rival broadcaster RTL for the contract. The new pay-per-view channel Eredivisie Live broadcast the live matches. In Australia the Eredivisie was broadcast live and exclusive by Setanta Sports.