| Season | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 24 April – 18 October |
| Champions | Vålerengen 2nd title |
| Relegated | Brann Haugar Lyn |
| European Cup | Vålerengen |
| Cup Winners' Cup | Lillestrøm |
| UEFA Cup | Viking |
| Matches played | 132 |
| Goals scored | 367 (2.78 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Pål Jacobsen (16 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Fredrikstad 6–0 Brann (23 August 1981) |
| Biggest away win | Haugar 0–6 Fredrikstad (17 August 1981) |
| Highest scoring | Viking 5–3 Start (18 October 1981) |
| Longest winning run | Brann Fredrikstad Rosenborg Viking Vålerengen (3 games) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Fredrikstad Moss Rosenborg (9 games) |
| Longest winless run | Haugar (9 games) |
| Longest losing run | Brann HamKam Lyn (6 games) |
| Highest attendance | 21,377 Rosenborg 2–2 Vålerengen (29 June 1981) |
| Lowest attendance | 1,085 Lyn 1–2 Bryne (27 September 1981) |
| Average attendance | 5,880  15.6% |
← 1980 1982 → | |
The 1981 1. divisjon was the 37th completed season of top division football in Norway.