Spanish Championship. RFEF Third Division. Group 2
RFEF Third Division Group 2 forms one of five regional groups in Tercera Federación, the fifth tier of Spain's football pyramid. It features 18 teams mainly from eastern Spain, including Valencia, Murcia, and Castilla-La Mancha regions. The 2023/24 season marked the debut under the new RFEF structure following the Tercera División overhaul by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Clubs here fight for survival, promotion, and heated local rivalries where fan passion often outshines player stardom.
History and foundation
Group 2 was established in 2021 amid the reorganization after scandals in the old Tercera División. Previously part of Segunda División B, the 2020 crisis accelerated reforms. Notably, CD Castellón B reached the playoffs in 2022, upsetting group favorites. Athletic Bilbao B dominated early, clinching the title in 2019 pre-reform. COVID-19 shortened seasons, but the league endured, losing only a few clubs financially. In 2024, Valencia derbies drew crowds rivaling higher divisions.
Tournament format
Standard format: 18 teams in a double round-robin, 34 matches each. Group winner promotes directly to Segunda RFEF; positions 2–5 enter playoffs for another spot. 15th–17th stay, 18th relegates to lower Tercera Federación levels, with inter-group play-outs. Season runs August to May, Christmas break included. Broadcasts via RFEF platforms and local TV, average attendance 500–2,000.
Interesting facts
Average goals per game hover at 2.4 in 2023/24, emphasizing tight defenses in rivalries. Top scorers: José Luis Molina (Hércules B, 18 goals), Antonio Medina (Yeclano Deportivo, 16). Standouts include Valencia Mestalla's Kevin López with dazzling dribbles and CD Badajoz veteran Pablo Cervantes (300+ appearances). A talent factory: players like a young Dani Parejo once rose from here to La Liga glory.