It began on 10 August 2012 with the first matches of the season and ended on 26 May 2013 with the returns of the finals of the promotion/relegation play-offs, also involving the 16th- and 17th-placed teams from the 2012–13 Eredivisie.
On 3 May 2013, during the last round of the regular season, SC Cambuur secured the championship and the only direct promotion berth.
PEC Zwolle were promoted from the Eerste Divisie as 2011–12 champions and replaced by bottom-placed Eredivisie SBV Excelsior, whereas Willem II won a top flight place in the nacompetitie, replacing De Graafschap, who were eliminated from the post-season playoff and therefore relegated to Eerste Divisie for this season.
No team was promoted from the Topklasse, thus allowing last-placed FC Emmen to keep their place in the second tier.
Roda JC and VVV-Venlo joined the Eerste Divisie-teams for the playoffs, after finishing 16th and 17th in the Eredivisie.