2. Liga (Austria) 2026/27

The Austrian 2. Liga operates as the second tier of football in Austria, positioned directly below the top-flight Austrian Bundesliga. Established for the 1974/75 campaign, the competition evolved from earlier regional structures, initially known as the Nationalliga before adopting its current designation in 2018. The tournament features a double round-robin format involving 16 clubs, with each side playing 30 matches against opponents.

A distinctive characteristic of the league is the inclusion of reserve teams from Bundesliga clubs, such as FC Liefering and Austria Vienna (Am). These sides participate but are barred from promotion, ensuring competitive balance within the hierarchy. This integration differentiates the 2. Liga from the top division, where reserve sides do not feature. Promotion from the second tier is primarily secured by the champion, provided they hold the necessary licence. Should the title winner be a reserve team, the highest-placed eligible side enters a two-legged playoff against the 10th-placed Bundesliga club to determine the final promotion spot.

At the lower end of the table, the three teams finishing in the relegation positions drop down to the Regionalliga, the third tier of Austrian football. Historically, LASK holds the record for the most titles won in the league’s history, with five victories, while Grazer AK has claimed four championships. In the 2023–24 season, Grazer AK secured the championship. The competition serves as a critical developmental pathway for players and clubs aiming to reach the highest level of Austrian football, bridging the gap between regional leagues and the professional summit.