Gamma Ethniki
Third-tier men's association football league in Greece
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gamma Ethniki Katigoria (Greek: Γ΄ Εθνική Κατηγορία, lit. 'Third National Division') is the third-tier men's association football league in Greece.[1]
- 1965 (unofficially)
- 1982 (officially)
Greece | |
| Organising body | Hellenic Football Federation |
|---|---|
| Founded |
|
| Folded | 1967 |
| Country | Greece |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Number of clubs | 113 (since 2026–27) |
| Level on pyramid | |
| Promotion to | Super League 2 |
| Relegation to | Local Football Clubs Associations Championships |
| Domestic cup | Greece Amateurs Cup |
| Last champions | Panthrakikos (Group 1) Apollon Kalamaria (Group 2) Elassona (Group 3) Pyrgos AFC (Group 4) Aris Petroupoli (Group 5) Ethnikos Piraeus (Group 6) (2025–26) |
| Top scorer | Dimitris Verbis (161 goals) |
| Website | epo.gr/g-ethniki |
| Current: 2026–27 Gamma Ethniki | |
History
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.[2] From the 2013–14 season, the football League 2 was merged with the fourth division championship (Delta Ethniki) and renamed Gamma Ethniki once more.[3][4] The new third division is held in six groups, with the clubs divided on the basis of geographical criteria, while it returns in an amateur form.[5] From the 2014–15 season until the 2016–17 season, 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 the 2022–23 season, the league was held in eight groups, with the clubs divided by geographical criteria. The first team of each group qualified to a play-off tournament, consisting of two groups. The first two teams of each group were promoted to the Super League 2.[6]
From 2023 onwards, the league is held in four groups with 18 clubs each. The top team of each group is promoted to the Super League 2 and bottom six teams are relegated to Local Championships.
For the 2025–26 season, the championship was held with a total of 73 teams participating, divided in 5 groups with 12 teams each and 1 group with 13 teams. At the end of the season, 4 teams were promoted to Super League 2 and 18 teams were relegated to Local FCA Championships.[7]
For the 2026–27 season, the championship is expanded with a total of 113 teams participating, divided in 10 groups with 12 and 11 teams in most of them and 1 group with 10 teams. At the end of the season, 4 teams will be promoted to Super League 2 and 30 teams will be relegated to Local FCA Championships.[8]
Current groups
113 clubs in 10 groups will compete in the Gamma Ethniki during the 2026–27 season.
Winners
Third Division champions
From 1965 to 1982
From 1982 to 2013
From 2013 to 2019*
- as the 3rd and 4th tier were merged in one league (3rd amateur tier)
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Football League (2nd tier).
Third (amateur) Division champions
From 2019 to 2021
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.
Third Division champions
From 2021 to present
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.
