II liga ( Druga liga , Polish pronunciation: [ˈdruɡa ˈliɡa] ), currently named Betclic II liga due to its sponsorship by Betclic , is a Polish football league that sits at the third tier of the Polish football league system . Until the end of the 2007–08 season, II Liga referred to a league at the 2nd tier, although this changed with the formation of the Ekstraklasa as the top level league in Poland. Currently, II liga is below I liga and above III liga .
23-452: Since the 2014–15 season, the league consists of a single division, unlike previous seasons when it was divided into two groups, West and East . The league consists of 18 teams. The top two finishers are rewarded with automatic promotion to the I liga, while the teams ranked third to sixth face each other in promotion play-offs. Teams who finish 14th and 15th compete in the promotion/relegation play-offs against III liga group winners, and
46-591: Is a Polish football league that sits at the third tier of the Polish football league system . Until the end of the 2007–08 season, II Liga referred to a league at the 2nd tier, although this changed with the formation of the Ekstraklasa as the top level league in Poland. Currently, II liga is below I liga and above III liga . Since the 2014–15 season, the league consists of a single division, unlike previous seasons when it
69-692: The IV liga , though the number of relegated teams may increase depending on territorial affiliation of the teams demoted from the II liga. The following 72 clubs are competing in the III liga for the 2024–25 season . 18–21 parallel divisions as IV liga (one or two in each of 16 Voivodeship ) 8 parallel divisions as III liga. 4 parallel divisions as III liga. II liga II liga ( Druga liga , Polish pronunciation: [ˈdruɡa ˈliɡa] ), currently named Betclic II liga due to its sponsorship by Betclic ,
92-513: The Masovian ones, and in 2006, the Lesser Poland groups. In 2007, the fourth tier consisted of 18 regional groups. In 14 voivodeships, the games were played with a single-group system, and in two voivodeships, with a two-group system. Starting from the 2008–09 season, the league was renamed to III liga , and reduced to 8 groups. The winners of each group (in the case of voivodeships with two groups,
115-413: The exception of 1989–90, when there were four groups. III liga III liga ( Trzecia liga ), currently named Betclic III liga due to its sponsorship by Betclic , is a Polish football league that sits in the fourth tier of the Polish football league system . Until the end of the 2007–08 season, III liga referred to a league at the third tier (now called II liga ) but this was changed with
138-459: The formation of the Ekstraklasa as the top level league in Poland. Groups of III liga are divided based on administrative division of Poland . Top teams of III liga are promoted to II liga and bottom teams are relegated to IV liga . The current fourth tier of the Polish national league system was established on 19 February 2000, under the name IV liga . Previously, the fourth tier of competition
161-468: The fourth division. The following 18 clubs are competing in the II liga during the 2024–25 season. The history of II Liga , or the third level of Polish football system, dates back to the Second Polish Republic . In 1927, the Ekstraklasa , also called State League ( Liga Panstwowa ) was established. Below the Ekstraklasa , there were several regional A Classes , which in most cases covered
184-456: The last three teams are automatically relegated to the fourth division. The following 18 clubs are competing in the II liga during the 2024–25 season. The history of II Liga , or the third level of Polish football system, dates back to the Second Polish Republic . In 1927, the Ekstraklasa , also called State League ( Liga Panstwowa ) was established. Below the Ekstraklasa , there were several regional A Classes , which in most cases covered
207-468: The pre-1939 pattern, A Classes , followed by B Classes , and C Classes . This system remained in use until 1951, when in March 1952, it was replaced by four classes, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Meanwhile, the number of teams in the second level of Polish tier was reduced from 40 to 14 (March 1953), which meant that as many as 26 teams were automatically relegated to the third level. As a result, there were 93 teams in
230-420: The pre-1939 pattern, A Classes , followed by B Classes , and C Classes . This system remained in use until 1951, when in March 1952, it was replaced by four classes, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Meanwhile, the number of teams in the second level of Polish tier was reduced from 40 to 14 (March 1953), which meant that as many as 26 teams were automatically relegated to the third level. As a result, there were 93 teams in
253-503: The regional location. The competition is played in a round-robin format, with each team facing others in their respective group twice, at home and away. The champions of each group achieve automatic promotion to the II liga , while the second-placed teams first face each other in a play-off, the winners of which qualify for a promotion/relegation play-off against 14th and 15th-placed II liga teams. The bottom four teams in each group are relegated to
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#1732858960038276-611: The territory of one Voivodeship (see Lower Level Football Leagues in Interwar Poland ). Further below, there were B Classes (usually covering two-three counties), and, in the regions with enough football teams, C Classes (covering one county). On 29 June 1945 in Kraków , officials of the Polish Football Association ( PZPN ) established three-tier system of regional championships in Poland. The first level was, following
299-436: The territory of one Voivodeship (see Lower Level Football Leagues in Interwar Poland ). Further below, there were B Classes (usually covering two-three counties), and, in the regions with enough football teams, C Classes (covering one county). On 29 June 1945 in Kraków , officials of the Polish Football Association ( PZPN ) established three-tier system of regional championships in Poland. The first level was, following
322-448: The third level, divided into 8 groups. Six of these groups covered more than one voivodeship , while two groups ( Katowice and Kraków ) covered only their provinces, due to the football potential in those regions. After the regular season, 8 winners played each other in two-level playoffs, with two winners winning promotion to the second level. On 13 February 1955, in Warsaw , Third League
345-400: The third level, divided into 8 groups. Six of these groups covered more than one voivodeship , while two groups ( Katowice and Kraków ) covered only their provinces, due to the football potential in those regions. After the regular season, 8 winners played each other in two-level playoffs, with two winners winning promotion to the second level. On 13 February 1955, in Warsaw , Third League
368-423: The winners of the play-offs between the winners of both groups) formed four play-off pairs, winners of which were promoted to the II liga . The latest restructure came in effect ahead of the 2016–17 season, with the numbers of teams reduced to 72 across four groups. For the 2024–25 season, seventy-two clubs participate. The clubs are split into four parallel groups of 18 with their group affiliation being based on
391-458: Was called at that time, existed in that form until 1973, when Polish football officials decided to reintroduce the Regional Leagues , with 20 groups (since 1974 - 24 groups). In 1976, 8 groups were established, with 112 teams. In 1980, the number of groups was reduced to 4, but in 1982, again 8 groups were established. The system of 8 groups of the third level remained unchanged until 1998, with
414-400: Was called at that time, existed in that form until 1973, when Polish football officials decided to reintroduce the Regional Leagues , with 20 groups (since 1974 - 24 groups). In 1976, 8 groups were established, with 112 teams. In 1980, the number of groups was reduced to 4, but in 1982, again 8 groups were established. The system of 8 groups of the third level remained unchanged until 1998, with
437-404: Was divided into two groups, West and East . The league consists of 18 teams. The top two finishers are rewarded with automatic promotion to the I liga, while the teams ranked third to sixth face each other in promotion play-offs. Teams who finish 14th and 15th compete in the promotion/relegation play-offs against III liga group winners, and the last three teams are automatically relegated to
460-443: Was divided into two groups, the winners of which met in a two-legged play-off for the championship and promotion to the third tier. In the remaining 11 voivodeships, only one group was held, the winner of which automatically earning promoted to a higher division. In subsequent editions, the number of groups was gradually reduced and the number of teams in each of them was limited. In 2001, both Lower Silesian groups were merged, in 2002 -
483-407: Was held under many different names depending on the region, including macro-regional league , macro-regional class , inter-voivodeship league , district league , among others. In August 2000, the first official season of new fourth tier commenced with teams spread across 21 territorial groups. In five voivodeships (Lower Silesia, Lesser Poland, Masovia, Silesia and Greater Poland), the competition
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#1732858960038506-446: Was officially formed, with four groups. This idea was abandoned after a month, due to financial reasons. Instead, in 1956, the Regional Leagues were established, with 15 groups. In 1960, Polish football switched from spring-autumn to autumn-spring system. First games of the new system took place on 19 August 1960. 26 February 1966, PZPN decided to reduce the number of groups to 4, with 16 teams in each. The Macroregional League , as it
529-445: Was officially formed, with four groups. This idea was abandoned after a month, due to financial reasons. Instead, in 1956, the Regional Leagues were established, with 15 groups. In 1960, Polish football switched from spring-autumn to autumn-spring system. First games of the new system took place on 19 August 1960. 26 February 1966, PZPN decided to reduce the number of groups to 4, with 16 teams in each. The Macroregional League , as it
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