Central League (Poland) 2026/27

The Central League serves as the second-tier men's handball competition in Poland. Situated directly below the top-flight ORLEN Superliga and above the third-tier I Liga, it was established by the Polish Handball Federation (ZPRP) in cooperation with Superliga sp. z o.o. Its inaugural season took place in 2021/2022, created to unify the second division and replace previous fragmented structures.

The competition currently features 14 teams, a number reached after expanding to 15 for the 2023/24 season and then reducing back for 2024/25. The format consists of a double round-robin regular season where each team plays every other team twice, both home and away. Promotion is structured such that the 1st place team earns direct promotion to the ORLEN Superliga, provided it meets licensing criteria. The 2nd place team enters a two-legged playoff against the 13th-placed team of the Superliga for the final promotion spot. The two lowest-placed teams are directly relegated to the I Liga.

Notable champions include KPR Ostrovia Ostrów Wielkopolski, KPR Legionowo, Śląsk Wrocław, and Handball Stal Mielec. The league distinguishes itself from the Superliga by serving as the primary development and feeder tier, often featuring reserve teams or clubs with ambitious promotion goals. Current participants in the 2026 season include Anilana Lodz, Biała Podlaska, Ciechanów, Grunwald Poznan, Gwardia Koszalin, and Krakow. These clubs, alongside others like ENEA WKS Grunwald Poznań, strive to advance through the ranks within this competitive environment.