Austrian Championship. 2. Liga. Reserves
The 2. Liga stands as Austria's second-tier football competition, featuring reserve squads from Bundesliga giants like Austria Wien, Red Bull Salzburg, and Sturm Graz alongside regional challengers. It acts as a vital breeding ground for emerging talents, blending promotion battles with youth development in a fast-paced, technical showcase.
History and foundation
Established in 1949 as Regionalliga, it evolved into the 2. Division in 1974 and 2. Liga in 1991. A quirky note: Red Bull Salzburg's reserves clinched the title in 2002 but were barred from promotion. The 2014 match-fixing scandal prompted stricter oversight. Admira leads with four titles, while LASK's 2023 ascent after 11 years marked a fairy tale.
Tournament format
Running July to May, 16 teams contest 30 matches in a home-and-away format. The top three vie for elevation: first place promotes directly, second and third enter playoffs against the Bundesliga's 11th. Bottom four face Regionalliga relegation playoffs. Fixtures span weekends without mid-season breaks.
Interesting facts
Averaging 2.9 goals per game—higher than the Bundesliga's 2.7—it's goal-rich. Top scorers include Patrick Wimmer (Blau-Weiss Linz, 25 in 2022/23) and Dominik Niedermair (FC BW Linz, 22). Standouts: Alexander Schlager (Sturm reserves, now Slavia Prague keeper), Hubert Hutsz (Rapid reserves, national team forward), Patrick Truner (Austria Lustenau). Alumni like Kevin Pöyor and Saul Dabbur shone here before stardom.