Regionalliga — North (Austria) 2026/27

The Regionalliga Nord is the third tier of Austrian football, introduced for the 2026–27 season following a structural reform by the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). The league unites clubs from Upper Austria and Salzburg, replacing the previous Regionalliga Central and Regionalliga West divisions. This arrangement consolidates teams that historically faced significant travel costs, a problem that previously led Salzburg clubs to form their own separate league in 2019.

The competition operates with 15 clubs, a reduction from the initial plan of 16 due to licensing issues and participant refusals. The season consists of 28 matchdays under a single-table, double round-robin format. Unlike the previous system, direct promotion to the 2. Liga has been abolished. Instead, one eligible club from each of the four Regionalliga divisions enters a two-legged playoff. Winners of these playoffs are promoted to the second tier, provided they meet financial and sporting licence requirements.

Relegation falls to the state leagues of Upper Austria and Salzburg, with specific details on the number of relegated teams remaining subject to administrative decisions. As a newly formed division, the Regionalliga Nord has no historical champions. However, its constituent regions have seen success in predecessor leagues, with LASK Juniors Linz dominating the former Regionalliga Central and SV Grödig achieving prominence in the Regionalliga Salzburg.

The league’s primary distinction from its neighbour, the Regionalliga Ost, is geographical. While both operate as third-tier competitions with identical playoff promotion structures, they serve distinct regional associations and fan bases. The Regionalliga Nord focuses exclusively on the western Austrian states, providing a platform for emerging talent while maintaining a clear pathway to the professional ranks through the new playoff system.