Liga II is the second tier of professional association football in Romania, historically known as Divizia B. It sits below the top division, Liga I, and above the regional and semi-professional leagues. The competition has served as the primary pathway for clubs seeking promotion to the Romanian top flight and has hosted a mix of established clubs recovering from setbacks and smaller teams aspiring to grow.
Characteristics and format
The league's structure has changed several times: seasons have been organized as a single national table or split into two or more regional series depending on the number of participating clubs and administrative decisions. Typical features include a season-long schedule of home-and-away matches, promotion places for the highest-placed teams, and relegation to the lower tier for those finishing at the bottom.
History and development
Long known as Divizia B, the competition was rebranded and modernized as part of broader reforms to Romanian football. Over decades it has reflected shifts in the national game — from regionalized formats to more centralized leagues — and has been influenced by financial and sporting reforms affecting club licensing and professional status.
Promotion, relegation and role
Liga II plays a key developmental role: promoted clubs move up to the top division while relegated sides drop into Liga III. Promotion has sometimes been decided by direct places and on occasion by playoff matches. For many clubs, competing in Liga II is an opportunity to rebuild finances, develop young players, and attract larger audiences.
Notable clubs and facts
Several well-known Romanian teams have spent time in Liga II at various points in their histories. For example, historic sides such as Rapid București and Gaz Metan Mediaș have both featured in the competition as they sought returns to the top flight. The league is governed within the framework of Romanian football administration and is closely linked to the overall pyramid of the sport in the country; for context on the national system see Romanian football.
While formats and numbers of participants change, Liga II remains essential to Romanian club football as the competitive second tier where ambition, recovery and local rivalries shape the landscape below the premier division.