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Gamma Ethniki

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Gamma Ethniki
Organising bodyHellenic Football Federation
Founded
  • 1965; 61 years ago (1965) (unofficially)
  • 1982; 44 years ago (1982) (officially)
Folded1967; 59 years ago (1967)
Country Greece
ConfederationUEFA
Number of clubs113 (since 2026–27)
Level on pyramid
  • 3 (1965–1967, 1977–2019 & 2021–present)
  • 4 (2019–2021)
Promotion toSuper League 2
Relegation toLocal Football Clubs Associations Championships
Domestic cupGreece Amateurs Cup
Last championsPanthrakikos (Group 1)
Apollon Kalamaria (Group 2)
Elassona (Group 3)
PAS Pyrgos (Group 4)
Aris Petroupoli (Group 5)
Ethnikos Piraeus (Group 6)
(2025–26)
Top scorerDimitris Verbis (161 goals)
Websiteepo.gr/g-ethniki
Current: 2026–27 Gamma Ethniki

The Gamma Ethniki Katigoria (Greek: Γ΄ Εθνική Κατηγορία, lit. 'Third National Division') is the third-tier men's association football league in Greece.[1]

History

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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

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113 clubs in 10 groups will compete in the Gamma Ethniki during the 2026–27 season.

Winners

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Third Division champions

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From 1965 to 1982

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Season Winner
1965–66Levadiakos, Ergotelis, Ethnikos Alexandroupoli, Megas Alexandros Thessaloniki
1966–67Asteras Zografou, AEK Faliro, Thermaikos, Elpida Drama
1967–68Argonaftis Piraeus, Megas Alexandros Thessaloniki
1968–69Anagennisi Arta, Anagennisi Karditsa
1969–70Pandramaikos, Apollon Krya Vrysi, A.O. Karditsa, Panaspropyrgiakos, Acharnaikos,
Ergotelis, Panargiakos, Finikas Polichni, Aris Agios Konstantinos
1970–71Orestis Orestiada, Naoussa, Orchomenos, P.A.O. Rouf, Orfeas Egaleo, Paniliakos
1971–72Anagennisi Epanomi, P.O. Moudania, Thiva, Ilisiakos, Fivos Kremasti, Pannemeatikos
1972–73Nestos Chrysoupoli, Niki Polygyros, Achilleas Farsala, Lamia,
Panetolikos, Panarkadikos, Syros, Olympiacos Liosia, Apollon Mytilene
1973–74Ethnikos Sidirokastro, A.O. Kozani, Makedonikos,
Dimitra Trikala, A.P.S. Patra, Doxa Vyronas, Moschato, Diagoras
1974–75Akrites Sykies, Kampaniakos, Rigas Feraios,
Ethnikos Asteras, Agios Dimitrios, Amfiali, Orfeas Egaleo
1975–76Kilkisiakos, Apollon Kalamarias, Ethnikos Sidirokastro,
Anagennisi Arta, Niki Volos, Paniliakos, Kallithea, Irodotos
1976–77Makedonikos, Edessaikos, Thyella Serres,
Elassona, Chalkida, A.E. Messolonghi, Agios Dimitrios, Ionikos
1977–78Anagennisi Arta, Acharnaikos, Anagennisi Giannitsa, Makedonikos Siatista
1978–79Eordaikos, Panegialios, Vyzas Megara, Panthrakikos
1979–80Pierikos, Chalkida, Apollon Pontus, Diagoras
1980–81Toxotis Volos, Achaiki, Atromitos Piraeus, Kozani
1981–82Paniliakos, Thiva, Florina, Alexandroupoli,
Ionikos, Aiolikos, Levadiakos, APE Langadas

From 1982 to 2013

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Season Winner
South Group North Group
1982–83Edessaikos
1983–84AiolikosAlmopos Aridea
1984–85PanetolikosKilkisiakos
1985–86CharavgiakosSkoda Xanthi
1986–87ChalkidaEdessaikos
1987–88AtromitosMakedonikos
1988–89Edessaikos
1989–90ProodeftikiAnagennisi Giannitsa
1990–91Doxa VyronasNaoussa
1991–92PanetolikosPontioi Veria
1992–93KallitheaAnagennisi Karditsa
1993–94PaniliakosPanserraikos
1994–95Doxa VyronasKastoria
1995–96PanetolikosNiki Volos
1996–97Ethnikos AsterasAnagennisi Karditsa
1997–98IalysosPAS Giannina
1998–99EgaleoOlympiacos Volos
1999–00Akratitos
2000–01Patraikos
2001–02Kerkyra
2002–03Poseidon Neon Poron
2003–04Kastoria
2004–05ThrasyvoulosVeria
2005–06Asteras TripolisAgrotikos Asteras
2006–07Agios DimitriosPierikos
2007–08DiagorasKavala
2008–09IlioupoliDoxa Drama
2009–10KallitheaVeria
2010–11PanachaikiAnagennisi Epanomi
2011–12Apollon SmyrnisEthnikos Gazoros
2012–13FostirasApollon Kalamarias

From 2013 to 2019*

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Season Winner
2013–14Agrotikos Asteras, AEL, Lamia, Enosi Ermionida, Trachones, AEK Athens
2014–15Panserraikos, Trikala, Panelefsiniakos, Kissamikos
2015–16Aris, Aiginiakos, Sparta, OFI
2016–17Apollon Kalamarias, Apollon Larissa, Panachaiki, Ergotelis
2017–18Apollon Paralimnio, Iraklis, Tilikratis, Volos, Asteras Amaliadas, Ethnikos Piraeus, Aittitos Spata, Irodotos1
2018–19Kavala, Veria, Kronos Argyrades, Olympiacos Volos, Ierapetra, Ialysos, Egaleo, Aspropyrgos
    • 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

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From 2019 to 2021

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Season Winner
2019–20Panserraikos, Almopos Aridea, Pierikos, AEP Karagiannia, Kallithea, Rodos, Asteras Vlachioti, Episkopi[9]
2020–21Orfeas Xanthi, Poseidon Nea Michaniona, Anagennisi Karditsa, Diagoras Stefanovikeio, PAS Acheron Kanallaki, Panionios, A.E. Kifisia, Thyella Rafina, Zakynthos, Irodotos1
  • 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.

Third Division champions

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From 2021 to present

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Season Winner
2021–22Agrotikos Asteras, Makedonikos, Iraklis Larissa, Panachaiki, Ilioupoli, Proodeftiki, P.A.O. Rouf1
2022–23Aiolikos, Giouchtas, Kampaniakos, Kozani, Tilikratis
2023–24Kavala, Ethnikos Neo Keramidi, Panargiakos, Panionios
2024–25Nestos Chrysoupoli, Anagennisi Karditsa, Hellas Syros, Marko
2025–26Panthrakikos, Apollon Kalamaria, Elassona, PAS Pyrgos, Aris Petroupoli, Ethnikos Piraeus
  • 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Νόμος 4809/2021 (Κωδικοποιημένος) - ΦΕΚ Α 102/19.06.2021". www.kodiko.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  2. ↑ epae.org announcement
  3. ↑ "Συγχώνευση της Γ΄ και Δ΄ Εθνικής". kathimerini.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  4. ↑ "ΕΠΟ, Σχέδιο αναδιάρθρωσης του ελληνικού ποδοσφαίρου" (PDF). epo.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Ο χάρτης της νέας Γ' Εθνικής". sport24.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "Γ εθνική:το πλήρες αγωνιστικό πρόγραμμα περιόδου 2017-2018". epo.gr. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  7. ↑ "Σε έξι ομίλους το πρωτάθλημα Γ' Εθνικής τη σεζόν 2025-26 με πλέι οφ και πλέι άουτ". sdna.gr. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "Γ' Εθνική: Οι 10 όμιλοι και οι 113 ομάδες του νέου πρωταθλήματος". gazzetta.gr. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Γ' Εθνική: Οι πρωταθλητές στους οκτώ ομίλους - Όλα ανοιχτά για άνοδο και υποβιβασμό". www.fosonline.gr. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
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