sport Sport pertains to any form of Competition, competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and Skill, skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to specta ...

, the Second Division, also called Division 2 or Division II is usually the second highest division of a league, and will often have

promotion and relegation In sports leagues, promotion and relegation is a process where teams are transferred between multiple divisions based on their performance for the completed season. Leagues that use promotion and relegation systems are often called open leagues. ...

with divisions above and below. Following the rise of

Premier League The Premier League (legal name: The Football Association Premier League Limited) is the highest level of the men's English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Foo ...

style competitions, many leagues known as the Second Division have fallen to a lower tier in countries' football

league system A league system is a hierarchy of leagues in a sport. They are often called pyramids, due to their tendency to split into an increasing number of regional divisions further down the system. League systems of some sort are used in many sports in ...

. This list of Second Divisions in

association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

, divided by authority, includes country and actual level.

AFC

K League Challenge The K League 2 (Hangul: K리그2) is the men's second-highest division of the South Korean football league system. It is contested between thirteen professional clubs, and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the K League 1. Hi ...

, South Korea (second tier) *

J. League Division 2 The or simply J2 is the second division of the and the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The top tier is represented by the J1 League. It (along with the rest of the J.League) is currently sponsored by Meiji Ya ...

, Japan (second tier)

UEFA

Albanian Second Division Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

, Albania (third tier) *

Segona Divisió The Segona Divisió (Second Division), or Lliga UNIDA for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest level of men's football in Andorra. Former FC Santa Coloma reserve team were renamed UE Santa Coloma for 2007–08 (therefore eligible for promo ...

, Andorra (second tier) *

Belarusian Second League Belarusian Second League is the third tier of professional football in Belarus. It was established in 1992. History and format A strict number of teams and competition format are not defined for the league. Before the start of each season the for ...

, Belarus (third tier) *

Belgian Second Division The Belgian Second Division (known as the Proximus League for sponsorship reasons) was the second-highest division in the Belgian football league system, one level below the Belgian Pro League. It was founded by the Royal Belgian Football Associa ...

, Belgium (second tier) *

Second League of the Republika Srpska The Second League of the Republika Srpska ( sr, Друга лига Републике Српске / Druga liga Republike Srpske) is a third level football league competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is divided into two leagues, based on geog ...

, Bosnia and Herzegovina (third tier) * Czech 2. Liga, Czech Republic (second tier) *

Cypriot Second Division The Cypriot Second Division ( el, Πρωτάθλημα Β΄ Κατηγορίας) is the second highest football division of the Cypriot football league system. Administrated by the Cyprus Football Association, it is contested by 16 teams, with th ...

, Cyprus (second tier) *

Druga HNL The Prva nogometna liga ( en, First football league), commonly Prva NL or 1. NL, is the second tier of the football league system in Croatia. The league was formed in 1991 with the breakup of Yugoslavia and the dissolution of the Yugoslav Second ...

, Croatia (second tier) *

Danish 2nd Division The 2nd Division ( da, Danmarksturneringens 2. division or Herre-DM 2. division) is a semi-professional association football league for men and the third division in Denmark. It is organised by the Divisionsforeningen on behalf of the Danish Footb ...

, Denmark (third tier) * England **

Football League Second Division The Football League Second Division was the second level division in the English football league system between 1892 and 1992. Following the foundation of the FA Premier League, the Football League divisions were renumbered and the third ti ...

(1892–1992; second tier, re-branded as

Football League First Division The Football League First Division was a division of the Football League in England from 1888 until 2004. It was the top division in the English football league system from the season 1888–89 until 1991–92, a century in which the First ...

after creation of top-level

FA Premier League The Premier League (legal name: The Football Association Premier League Limited) is the highest level of the men's English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Foo ...

) **

EFL Championship The English Football League Championship (often referred to as the Championship for short or the Sky Bet Championship for sponsorship purposes) is the highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and second-highest overall in the E ...

, (second tier) **

Isthmian League Second Division The Isthmian League () is a regional men's football league covering Greater London, East and South East England, featuring mostly semi-professional clubs. Founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area, the league now consists of 82 tea ...

, (ninth tier) *

Second League of Estonia II liiga is the fourth level of football league competition in Estonia arranged by the Estonian Football Association. It consists of 28 teams, divided geographically into two divisions with 14 teams respectively in group North/East and South/Wes ...

(third tier) *

2. deild 2. deild is the third tier league of football in the Faroe Islands. It was founded in 1976 and is organized by the Faroe Islands Football Association. It was originally called ''3. deild'' but became ''2. deild'' after a reorganization of the Fa ...

, Faroe Islands (third tier) *

Kakkonen Kakkonen or II divisioona is the third level in the league system of Finnish football and comprises 36 Finnish football teams. The II divisioona was introduced in 1973 and in the mid-1990s became known as the Kakkonen (Finnish for 'Number Two' ...

, Finland (third tier) *

Ligue 2 Ligue 2 (, League 2), also known as Ligue 2 BKT due to sponsor (commercial), sponsorship by Balkrishna Industries, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions ...

, France (second tier) *

Second Macedonian Football League The Macedonian Second Football League ( mk, Втора македонска Фудбалска Лига, ''Vtora Makedonska Fudbalska Liga''; also called Macedonian Second League, 2. MFL and Vtora Liga) is the second-highest professional football ...

(Macedonian Vtora Liga), Republic of Macedonia (second tier) *

Meore Liga Liga 3, organized by Georgian Football Federation since 1990, is the third division of professional football in Georgia. Until 2017, when the current name was introduced, it was known as Meore Liga (the Second league). Structure and league sys ...

, Georgia (third tier) * 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany (second tier) *

Football League (Greece) The Football League ( el, Φούτμπολ Λιγκ) was the second highest professional football league in Greece since its inception in 1962 as ''Beta Ethniki'' and until 2019. It then served as a third tier after the creation of the Super Lea ...

(formerly Beta Ethniki, Greece (second tier) *

Nemzeti Bajnokság II NB II, currently known as the Merkantil Bank Liga for sponsorship reasons, is the second tier of Hungarian football. At the end of the 2004–05 season, the tournament format was changed from one division of 14 teams to two divisions: ''Keleti ...

(Hungarian National Championship II), Hungary (second tier) * 2. deild karla, Iceland (third tier) * Italy **

Serie B The Serie B (), currently named Serie Balkrishna Industries, BKT for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It has been operating for over ninety years since the 1929–30 ...

, (second tier) **

Lega Pro Seconda Divisione Lega Pro Seconda Divisione was the fourth highest football league in Italy, the lowest with a professional status. Usually it consisted of 36 teams, but in the 2011–12 season, there were 41 teams divided geographically into two divisions of 2 ...

(fourth tier) *

Maltese Second Division The Maltese Second Division (also known as the BOV Second Division due to sponsorship reasons) was the third-highest division in Maltese football until 2020 when it was merged with the Maltese Third Division to create the National Amateur Leag ...

, Malta (third tier) *

Montenegrin Second League The Montenegrin Second League ( Montenegrin: ''Druga crnogorska fudbalska liga'' – ''Druga CFL'' – ''2. CFL'') is the second-top football league in Montenegro. It is headed by the Football Association of Montenegro. Second Montenegrin Leagu ...

, Montenegro (second tier) * Norwegian Second Division (2. divisjon), Norway (third tier) *

II liga (Poland) II liga (Druga Liga, ), currently named eWinner II liga due to sponsorship reasons by eWinner, 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'' referr ...

(Polish Second League), Poland (third tier) *Portugal **

Liga de Honra The Liga Portugal 2 (), also known as Liga Portugal 2 SABSEG for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division of the Portuguese football league system. At the end of each season, the two top-finishing teams are promoted to the top-tier Prim ...

, formerly "Segunda Divisão de Honra", (second tier) **

Segunda Divisão The Segunda Divisão Portuguesa (English language, English: ''Portuguese Second Division'') was a association football, football league situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system. The division had previously been the secon ...

(Portuguese Second Division), (third tier) *

Liga II The Liga 2, most often spelled as Liga II, is the second level of the Romanian football league system. The league changed its name from Divizia B just before the start of the 2006–07 Liga II, 2006–07. It is currently Sponsor (commercial), sp ...

, Romania *

Russian Second Division The Russian Second League (russian: Первенство России II дивизиона ФНЛ), formerly Russian Professional Football League is the third level of Russian professional football (soccer), football. History In 1998–2010, it ...

, Russia (third tier) *

Scottish Football League Second Division The Scottish Football League Second Division was the third tier of the Scottish football league system between 1975 and 2013. History The Second Division was created in 1975, as part of a wider reconstruction of the Scottish Football League (SF ...

, Scotland (third tier) * 2. Liga (Slovakia) (Slovak Second League), Slovakia (second tier) *

Slovenian Second League The Slovenian Second Football League ( sl, Druga slovenska nogometna liga or commonly 2. SNL) is the second highest Association football, football league in Slovenia. The league was formed in 1991 and is operated by the Football Association of Slo ...

, Slovenia (second tier) *

Segunda División The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Segunda División, commercially known as LaLiga SmartBank for sponsorship reasons, is the men's second professional association football division of the Spanish football league system. Administrated by the Lig ...

de La Liga, Spain *

Swedish football Division 2 Division 2 is the fourth level in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 84 Swedish football teams. Division 2 had status as the official second level from 1928 to 1986 but was replaced by Division 1 in 1987. It then had status a ...

, Sweden (fourth tier) *

TFF Second League TFF 2. Lig (Turkish Football Federation Second League), is the third level in the Turkish football league system. It was founded in the 2001–02 season with the name of ''Turkish Second League Category B'' as a continuation of the then second lev ...

, Turkey (third tier) *

Ukrainian Second League Ukrainian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Ukraine * Something relating to Ukrainians, an East Slavic people from Eastern Europe * Something relating to demographics of Ukraine in terms of demography and population of Ukraine * Som ...

, Ukraine (third tier) * V.League 3, Vietname (third tier) *

Welsh Football League Division Two The Welsh Football League Division Two, (last known as the ''Nathanielcars.co.uk Welsh League Division Two'', for sponsorship reasons) was a football league and forms the fourth level of the Welsh football league system in South Wales. If th ...

, Wales (second tier)

CONCACAF

* Aruban Division Uno, Aruba (second tier) * Barbados Division One, Barbados (second tier) *

Segunda División de Costa Rica Costa Rican Second Division also known as Liga Motorola for sponsorship reasons, is a professional league formed on 1921 for association football clubs in Costa Rica. It is the country's second-tier/division football competition, which is contest ...

, Costa Rica (second tier) *

Segunda División de El Salvador The Segunda División de El Salvador (Second Division of El Salvador) is the second tier of football in El Salvador governed by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol (FESFUT). Teams contest to promote to the Primera División. The winning sid ...

, El Salvador (second tier) *

GFA First Division The GFA First Division is the second tier of football in Grenada. The top two teams at the end of each season are promoted to the GFA Premier Division The GFA Premier League is the top football league in Grenada. It was created in 1983 a ...

, Grenada (second tier) *

Primera División de Ascenso The Primera División de Ascenso is the second highest level of football in Guatemala. Formerly, it was known as ''Liga Mayor "B"''. It is sanctioned by the National Football Federation of Guatemala The National Football Federation of Guatemala ( ...

, Guatemala (second tier) *

Honduran Liga Nacional de Ascenso Liga de Ascenso (Promotion League) is the second division of Honduran football; it was founded on 17 December 1979 as ''Segunda División'' (Second Division) and renamed ''Liga de Ascenso'' (Promotion League) on 21 July 2002. The league is divide ...

, Honduras (second tier) * Jamaica **

Eastern Confederation Super League The Eastern Confederation Super League is a second division football (soccer), football league in the nation of Jamaica. The ten teams that currently compete in the league are based in the parishes of Portland, St. Ann, St. Mary and St. Thomas. ...

(second tier) **

KSAFA Super League The KSAFA Championship League also known for sponsorship purposes as the 'Campari/KSAFA Championship League'' , is a men's third division football league, it’s sanctioned by the Jamaican Football Federation. The league is contested between 12 ...

(second tier) **

South Central Confederation Super League The South Central Confederation Super League is a second division football (soccer), football league in the nation of Jamaica. The twelve teams that currently compete in the league are based in the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, St. Catherine ...

(second tier) **

Western Confederation Super League The Captain's Bakery Western Confederation Super League is a second division football league in the nation of Jamaica. The twelve teams that currently compete in the league are based in the parishes of Hanover, St. James, Trelawny and Westmorelan ...

(second tier) * Mexico **

Ascenso MX Ascenso MX was the second tier of professional football in Mexico of the Mexican football league system. The champion of the competition was promoted to Liga MX (top-flight tier). The bottom team was relegated to Liga Premier (the third tier). ...

(second tier) ** Segunda División de México (formerly Segunda División Profesional) (third tier) *

Segunda División de Nicaragua The Segunda División de Nicaragua is the second football level of Nicaraguan football. It is organized by FENIFUT. Format Torneo de Apertura (Opening tournament) and Torneo de Clausura (Closure Tournament). The Apertura champion each year w ...

, Nicaragua (second tier) *

Liga Nacional de Ascenso Liga or LIGA may refer to: People * Līga (name), a Latvian female given name * Luciano Ligabue, more commonly known as Ligabue or ''Liga'', Italian rock singer-songwriter Sports * Liga ACB, men's professional basketball league in Spain * Lig ...

, Panama (second tier) * SKNFA Division 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis (second tier) * SLFA Second Division, St. Lucia (second tier) *

SVB Hoofdklasse The SVB Eerste Divisie is the highest football championship for clubs run by the Surinaamse Voetbal Bond. The Topklasse is at the top of the system of Surinamese football championships. The league currently comprises twelve teams and operates a ...

, Suriname (second tier) *

National Super League The National Super League is a league for semi-professional association football clubs in Trinidad and Tobago. It is the second-highest division of the Trinidad and Tobago football league system. The league currently comprises 19 teams between 2 l ...

, Trinidad and Tobago (second tier) * United States **

United Soccer League United Soccer League (USL), formerly known as United Soccer Leagues, is a Association football, soccer league in the United States and Canada. It organizes several men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Men's leagues curren ...

(second tier) **

North American Soccer League The North American Soccer League may refer to: *North American Soccer League (1968–1984), a former Division I league *North American Soccer League (2011–2017) The North American Soccer League (NASL) was a professional men's soccer league b ...

(second tier)

CONMEBOL

Primera B Nacional Primera Nacional (usually called simply Nacional B, in English "National B Division", and known as Primera B Nacional until the 2019–20 season) is the second division of the Argentine football league system. The competition is made up of 37 tea ...

, Argentina (second tier) *

Campeonato Brasileiro Série B The Campeonato Brasileiro Série B is commonly referred to as the Brasileirão Série B (Série B), and until 2022 was officially called Brasileirão Sportingbet by sponsorship reasons. It is the second tier of the Brazilian football league system ...

, Brazil (second tier) *

Ecuadorian Serie B The Primera Categoría Serie B, shortened to Serie B or Primera B, is a professional football league in Ecuador. It is in the second tier of the Ecuadorian football league system. Currently contested by ten clubs, it operates a system of promotion ...

, Ecuador (second tier) *

Paraguayan Segunda División Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...

, Paraguay (second tier) *

Peruvian Segunda División The Liga 2 (Ligue 2) of Peru is the second-highest division in the Peruvian football league system. It is a professional and promotional division organized by the Peruvian Football Federation. After years of changing numbers of clubs, as of 2021 t ...

, Peru (second tier) *

Uruguayan Segunda División Segunda División Profesional is the second division of professional football in Uruguay, established in 1942. The league is sometimes referred to as ''Primera B''. Segunda División was first held in 1942 to replace amateur Divisional Intermed ...

, Uruguay (second tier) *

Venezuelan Segunda División Segunda División, officially known as Liga FUTVE 2, is the men's second professional football division of the Venezuelan football league system. The Venezuelan second division was established in 1979. List of champions Titles by Team Refer ...

, Venezuela (second tier)

AFC

UEFA

CONCACAF

CONMEBOL

See also