Third_Division_(Greece)
Gamma Ethniki
Football league
The Gamma Ethniki (Greek: Γ΄ Εθνική Ερασιτεχνική Κατηγορία, C National Amateur Division) is the third highest football league in Greece.
| Founded |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Greece |
| Number of teams | 72 (since 2023–24) |
| Level on pyramid | 3 (1965–2019 & 2021–present) 4 (2019–2021) |
| Promotion to | Super League 2 |
| Relegation to | Hellenic Amateur Divisions |
| Domestic cup(s) | Gamma Ethniki Cup |
| Top goalscorer | Giorgos Kiourkos (154 goals) |
| Current: 2023–24 Gamma Ethniki | |
The Gamma Ethniki began in 1965 as an amateur championship, while in 1983 it was changed to professional. Although not literally national (it is divided into North and South groups), Football League 2 is considered as a national division.
On 3 August 2010, it was announced that the division had been renamed Football League 2.[1] From season 2013–14, the football League 2 is merged by fourth division championship (Delta Ethniki) and renamed again Gamma Ethniki.[2][3] The new third division will be held in six groups, with the clubs divided basis of geographical criteria, while it will return in an amateur form.[4] From season 2014–15 until season 2016–17 the league was held in four groups, with the clubs divided basis of geographical criteria. The champion of each group was promoted to Super League 2.
From the 2017–18 season until 2022–23 season, the league will be held in eight groups, with the clubs divided by geographical criteria. The first team of each group will be qualified to a play-off tournament, consisted of two groups. The first two teams of each group will be promoted to the Super League 2.[5]
From 2023 onwards, the league will be held in four groups with 18 clubs each. The top team of each group will be promoted to the Super League 2 and bottom six teams will be relegated to Local Championships.
72 clubs in 4 groups are competing in the Gamma Ethniki during the 2023–24 season.
| Group | FCA | Group | FCA | Group | FCA | Group | FCA | Group | FCA |
|---|
- Notes
- FCA = Football Clubs Association
Third Division champions
From 1965 to 1982
From 1982 to 2013
From 2013 to 2019
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Football League
Fourth Division champions
From 2019 to 2021
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.
Third Division champions
From 2021 to present
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Agrotikos Asteras, Makedonikos, Iraklis Larissa, Panachaiki, Ilioupoli, Proodeftiki, P.A.O. Rouf1 |
| 2022–23 | Aiolikos, Giouchtas, Kampaniakos, Kozani, Tilikratis |
| 2023–24 | Kavala, TBD, TBD, Panionios |
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.
- epae.org Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine announcement
- "Συγχώνευση της Γ΄ και Δ΄ Εθνικής". kathimerini.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- "ΕΠΟ, Σχέδιο αναδιάρθρωσης του ελληνικού ποδοσφαίρου" (PDF). epo.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- "Ο χάρτης της νέας Γ' Εθνικής". sport24.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- "Γ εθνική:το πλήρες αγωνιστικό πρόγραμμα περιόδου 2017-2018". epo.gr. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- "Γ' Εθνική: Οι πρωταθλητές στους οκτώ ομίλους - Όλα ανοιχτά για άνοδο και υποβιβασμό". www.fosonline.gr. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
