Flashscore explained why Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV and other Dutch clubs in European competitions do not play in the first round of the 2026/27 KNVB Beker. Under the current rules, teams involved in European competitions have been exempt from the opening round since 2019.
First-round exemption
The first round of the KNVB Beker is played in October every year. Clubs in European competitions do not take part at that stage and instead begin their cup campaign in the second round.
Teams affected in 2026/27
In the 2026/27 season, the teams in European competitions are PSV, Feyenoord, AZ, NEC Nijmegen, Ajax, and FC Twente. PSV and Feyenoord are listed in the UEFA Champions League, AZ and NEC Nijmegen in the UEFA Europa League, and Ajax and FC Twente in the UEFA Conference League.
When they enter
Those six teams will make their first KNVB Beker appearances in the second round. The second round will be played in early December.
Other entrants
All 16 professional teams from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie automatically qualify for the KNVB Beker, as do all 18 Eredivisie teams. Amateurs from the Tweede Divisie must all feature in the qualifying rounds, except the period champions, who automatically qualify for the main draw. Fourth-tier amateurs Excelsior '31 eliminated Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag on penalties in the opening round.