Nemzeti Bajnokság III (NB III or National Championship III) is the third tier of Hungarian football (from the autumn of 1997 till the spring of 2005, NB III was the fourth tier, the third was NB II). It was contested the first time in the 1940–41 season. It was interrupted between 1944 and 1948, 1951 and 1957, and 1978 and 1981. The tier contains 4 groups (northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest) of 16 teams. From NB III, the champions of each group will battle promotion play-off, two teams winning play-off are promoted to the NB II. The three lowest teams of each group and two worst 13th place teams are relegated to the first tier of local divisions (MB I). From NB II, the two lowest teams are relegated to NB III from 2024–25 season onwards.

History Nemzeti Bajnokság III was established in the 1940 by the Hungarian Football Federation (HFF). The first champions were the reserved teams of Újpest and Ferencváros along with Nyíregyházi TVE, Goldberger SE, and Losonci AFC. The first edition of the championship included five groups. In the following season, there were six groups. Thanks to the territorial changes of Hungary in the World War II, teams from the annexed territories were added to the championship such as Ungvári AC and Marosvásárhely. Between 1944 and 1948, the championship was terminated. In 1948, the third tier was reorganized by the Hungarian Football Federation. Between 1950 and 1957, the championship was ceased once again. However, the NBIII was relaunched in 1957 for the third time, followed by a short pause between 1978 and 1981. Since 1981, the third tier is continuously organized by the HFF.

Tier Nemzeti Bajnokság III was either the third or the fourth tier in the Hungarian football league system. +TierSeasons31940–41 and 1962–6341963 and 1973–7431974–75

Format +Number of groupsSeasons2between 1963 and 1966, between 1997–98 and 1999–2000, between 2003–04 and 2004–053between 1967 and 1973–74, in 1977–78, between 2000–01 and 2002–03, between 2013–14 and 2022–234between 1974–75 and 1976–77, between 2023–24 and present5in 1940–416in 1941–42, between 1958–59 and 1962–63, between 1981–82 and 1996–97, between 2005–06 and 2012–138in 1942–439between 1948–49 and 1957–5813in 1943–44 From 2023 onwards, the league divided into 4 groups of 16 teams:

Northeast group Northwest group Southeast group Southwest group

List of champions (1940–present)

1940–41: Újpest II, Nyíregyházi TVE, Losonc, Goldberger, Ferencváros II 1941–42: WMTK II, Marosvásárhelyi NMKTK, Wekerletelep, Újpest II, Kaposvár, Kassai VSC 1942–43: Újszeged, Komáromi AC, Újpest-Rákospalota, Marosvásárhelyi Attila, Székelyudvarhely, Újpest II, Felten, Munkács 1943–44: Martfű, Szabadka, Székesfehérvár, Dorog, Kolozsvár II, KISTEXT, Nagykanizsai Olajbányász, Kassai VSC, Nagyvárad, Komárom, Székelyudvarhely, Sepsiszentgyörgy Between 1944 and 1948, Megyei Bajnokság I functioned as the third league. 1948–49: Dohánygyári Lendület, Kisvárda, Soproni FAC, Magyar Pamut, Sajószentpéter, Kaposvár, Várpalota, Kiskunhalas, Cegléd 1949–50: Magyar Posztógyár, Nyíregyházi Elektromos SK, Szombathelyi SzMTE, Csepeli Papír, Egri ESzTK, Komló, Cegléd, Szegedi Honvéd, Gyula 1950: Magyar Textil SE, Debreceni Honvéd, Győri SzMTE, Húsos, Miskolci Honvéd, Pécsbánya, Székesfehérvári Lokomotív, Kiskunfélegyházi SzTK, Tótkomlósi DISz MTK Between 1951 and 1957, Megyei Bajnokság I functioned as the third league. 1957–58: Pápai SE, Baja, Diósgyőri Bányász, Nyergesújfalu, Kecskemét, Elektromos, Erzsébet, MGM Debrecen, Szolnoki MTE 1958–59: Pápai SE, Kaposvári MTE, Nagybátony, Erzsébet, Diósgyőri Bányász, Orosháza 1959–60: Ganz-MÁVAG, Pécsi BTC, Kőbánya, Elektromos, Nyíregyháza, Cegléd 1960–61: Soproni VSE, Kaposvár, KISTEXT, Traktorgyár, DEAC, Szegedi Építők 1961–62: MÁV-DAC, PVSK, Salgótarján, Csepel Autó, Egri Dózsa, Szegedi VSE 1962–63: Győri Dózsa, Pécsi BTC, Nagybátony, Vörös Csillag, Miskolci Bányász, Szolnoki MTE 1963: III. Kerület, Egri Dózsa 1964: III. Kerület, Jászberény 1965: Kaposvári Honvéd, Egri Dózsa 1966: Várpalota, Budapesti Spartacus 1967: Győri Dózsa, Nagybátony, Szolnok 1968: Zalaegerszeg, Székesfehérvár, Békéscsaba 1969: MÁV DAC, BVSC, Debreceni VSC 1970: Pécsi Ércbányász, Volán SC, Szolnoki MÁV 1970–71: Dorog, Volán, Pénzügyőr 1971–72: Szekszárd, Miskolc, BKV 1972–73: Nagykanizsai Olajbányász, Kossuth KFSE, Budafok 1973–74: Kaposvár, Ózd, FŐSPED 1974–75: KOMÉP SC Tatabánya, BVSC, Nagybátony, Vasas Izzó 1975–76: Fűzfő, Ganz-MÁVAG, Egri Dózsa SE, Szolnok 1976–77: Vác, BKV, Kazincbarcika, Békéscsabai TASK 1977–78: Pécsi VSK, GANZ MÁVAG, Ózd Between 1978 and 1981, Megyei Bajnokság I functioned as the third league. 1981–82: Fűzfő, Siófok, Érd, Baja, Nagybátony, Balmazújváros 1982–83: Veszprém, Kaposvár, Dunaújváros, Mezőtúr, Miskolci Honvéd, Szolnok 1983–84: Tapolca, Kaposvár, Dunaújváros, DÉLÉP, Vác, Jászberény 1984–85: Mosonmagyaróvár, Komló, Oroszlány, DÉLÉP, Ganz-MÁVAG, Mezőtúr 1985–86: MÁV DAC, Kaposvár, Budafok, Szarvas, Ózd, Debreceni EAC 1986–87: Ajka, Mohács, III. Kerület, Kecskeméti SC, Kazincbarcika, Debreceni Kinizsi 1987–88: Sopron, Mohács, Oroszlány, Szarvas, Hatvan, Jászberény 1988–89: Szegedi Dózsa, Ajka, Paks, Budafok, Salgótarjáni Síküveggyár, Mezőtúr 1989–90: Kecskeméti TE, Sabaria, Paksi ASE, BKV Előre, Hatvan, Kaba 1990–91: Miske, Ajka, Paks, ESMTK, Bag, Hajdúnánás 1991–92: Kiskőrös, Ajka, Kaposvár, Pénzügyőr, Gödöllő, Tiszavasvári 1992–93: Tiszakécske, Keszthely, Beremend, Százhalombatta, Rákospalota, Balmazújváros 1993–94: Hódmezővásárhely, Sopron, Pécsi VSK, Tatabánya, Salgótarján, Miskolc 1994–95: Kecskeméti TE, Balatonfüred, Kaposvár, Érd, Eger, Sényő 1995–96: Kiskundorozsma, Körmend, DD Gáz, Gázszer, Szolnok, Tiszafüred 1996–97: Kiskőrös, Bük, Komló, Dorog, Dunakeszi, Tiszaújváros 1997–98: Komárom, Demecser 1998–99: Százhalombatta, Dunakeszi 1999–2000: Hévíz, Kiskőrös 2000–01: Bük, ESMTK, Eger 2001–02: Bodajk, Balassagyarmat, Demecser 2002–03: Bodajk, Dabas, Kertváros 2003–04: Mosonmagyaróvár, Makó 2004–05: Felcsút, Baktalórántháza 2005–06: Békéscsaba, Elekthermax, Szentlőrinc, Budaörs, Jászberény, Tuzsér 2006–07: Cegléd, Ajka, Kozármisleny, Tököl, ESMTK, Balkány 2007–08: Békéscsaba, Zalaegerszeg II, Szentlőrinc, Százhalombatta, MTK II, Debreceni VSC-DEAC 2008–09: Honvéd II, Hévíz, Szentlőrinc, Szigetszentmiklós, Mezőkövesd, Hajdúböszörmény 2009–10: Orosháza, Veszprém, Baja, Újpest II, Ferencváros II, Kemecse 2010–11: Tököl, Soproni VSE, Paks II, Dunaújváros, Eger, Nagyecsed 2011–12: Dunaharaszti, Csákvár, Kaposvár, Érd, Putnok, Kisvárda 2012–13: Soroksár, Dorog, Dunaújváros, Budaörs, Felsőtárkány, Kisvárda 2013–14: Csákvár, Soroksár, Létavértes 2014–15: Budaörs, Vác, Kisvárda 2015–16: Ferencváros II, Kozármisleny, Nyíregyháza 2016–17: Győr, Budafok, Kazincbarcika 2017–18: Kaposvár, Tiszakécske, Monor 2018–19: Ajka, Szeged-Grosics Akadémia, Szolnok 2019–20: Érd, Pécs, DEAC 2020–21: III. Kerület, Iváncsa, Tiszakécske 2021–22: Mosonmagyaróvár, Kozármisleny, Kazincbarcika 2022–23: Veszprém, Iváncsa, BVSC 2023–24: Tatabánya, Szentlőrinc, Putnok, Békéscsaba 2024–25: Mosonmagyaróvár, Nagykanizsa FC, Karcag, Tiszakécske 2025–26: Gyirmót, Nagykanizsa FC, Monor, Cigánd

Note Winning the Nemzeti Bajnokság III did not mean automatic promotion to Nemzeti Bajnokság II. Teams in bold were promoted to the Nemzeti Bajnokság II. The Roman II stands for the reserves teams such as Ferencvárosi TC II and Újpest FC II. However, these clubs could not gain promotion to the second division. Between 1963 and 1973–74, the name of the third division was Nemzeti Bajnokság II. Although the 1974–75 Nemzeti Bajnokság III season was won by KOMÉP SC Tatabánya, Bábolnai SE were promoted and Tatabánya were suspended due to bribery.

Name changes Ajka — Ajkai Hungalu SK, Ajkai Alumínium SK Balmazújváros — Balmazújvárosi Lenin TSZ SE DAC Nádorváros — MÁV DAC Debreceni EAC — Debreceni Universitas SE Fűzfő — NIKE Fűzfői AK Hatvan — Hatvani KVSC Jászberényi Lehel SC — Lehel SC Kaposvári Honvéd SE — Honvéd Táncsics SE Kaposvári Rákóczi FC — Kaposvári Kinizsi Kossuth KFSE — Szentendrei Honvéd SE Mezőtúr — Honvéd Szabó Lajos SE MGM Debrecen — Debreceni GÖCS Vasas Miskolci Honvéd SE — Honvéd Papp József SE Mosonmagyaróvár — MOTIM Sabaria SE — Szombathelyi Cipőgyàr Salgótarjáni BTC — Salgótarján Kohász SE Szarvas — Szarvasi Vasas Tiszaújváros — Olefin Veszprém — Bakony Vegyész TC WMTK — Csepel SC Notes DÉLÉP SC: DÉLÉP SC merged with Szegedi AK in 1985

Mezőtúr: Mezőtúri AFC merged with Mezőtúri Honvéd SE (formerly as Honvéd Szabó Lajos SE) in 1977

Statistics

Most titles +ClubTitlesWinning seasonsKaposvári Rákóczi FC (including Kaposvári MTE)111941–42, 1948–49, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1973–74, 1982–83, 1985–86, 1991–92, 1994–95, 2011–12, 2017–18Egri FC (including Egri ESzTK, Egri Dózsa SE)81949–50, 1961–62, 1963, 1965, 1975–76, 1994–95, 2000–01, 2010–11Szolnoki MÁV FC (including Szolnoki MTE)71957–58, 1962–63, 1967, 1975–76, 1982–83, 1995–96, 2018–19FC Ajka61986–87, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 2006–07, 2018–19Erzsébeti Spartacus MTK LE51957–58, 1958–59, 1990–91, 2000–01, 2006–07Nagybátonyi Bányász SC51958–59, 1962–63, 1967, 1974–75, 1981–82Békéscsaba Előre 191241968, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2023–24Budafoki MTE41972–73,1985–86, 1988–89, 2016–17Ceglédi VSE41948–49, 1949–50, 1959–60, 2006–07Debreceni EAC41960–61, 1985–86, 2007–08, 2019–20Dorogi FC41943–44, 1970–71, 1996–97, 2012–13Érdi VSE41981–82, 1994–95, 2011–12, 2019–20Ganz-MÁVAG SE41959–60, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1984–85Jászberényi Lehel SE41964, 1983–84, 1987–88, 2005–06Kazincbarcikai SC41976–77, 1986–87, 2016–17, 2021–22Kecskeméti TE (including Kecskeméti SC)41957–58, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1994–95III. kerületi TVE41963, 1964, 1986–87, 2020–21Kisvárda FC41948–49, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15Mosonmagyaróvári TE41984–85, 2003–04, 2021–22, 2024–25Nyíregyháza (including Nyíregyházi Elektromos SK)41940–41, 1949–50, 1959–60, 2015–16Paksi FC (including Paksi ASE)41988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 2010–11Szentlőrinci SE42005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2023–24Tiszakécske FC41992–93, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2024–25Újpesti TE II41940–41, 1941–42, 1942–43, 2009–10Baja31957–58, 1981–82, 2009–10Budaörsi SC32005–06, 2012–13, 2014–15Budapesti VSC31969, 1974–75, 2022–23BKV Előre SC31971–72, 1976–77, 1989–90Ferencvárosi TC II31940–41, 2009–10, 2015–16Kiskörösi FC31991–92, 1996–97, 1999–2000Komlói Bányász SK31949–50, 1984–85, 1996–97Kozármisleny SE32006–07, 2015–16, 2021–22Mezőtúr31982–83, 1984–85, 1988–89Ózdi Kohász SE31973–74, 1977–78, 1985–86Pécsi VSK31961–62, 1977–78, 1993–94Salgótarjáni BTC31961–62, 1988–89, 1993–94Százhalombattai LK31992–93, 1998–99, 2007–08Vác FC31976–77, 1983–84, 2014–15FC Veszprém31982–83, 2009–10, 2022–23Bodajk SE22001–02, 2002–03Csákvár22011–12, 2013–14Debreceni VSC21969, 2007–08Dunaújváros FC (1952)21982–83, 1983–84Dunaújváros FC (1998)22010–11, 2012–13FC Hatvan21987–88, 1989–90Kassai VSC21941–42, 1943–44Kispesti Textil SE21943–44, 1960–61Miskolci Honvéd SE (including Honvéd Papp József SE)21950, 1982–83Mohácsi FC21986–87, 1987–88Nagykanizsa22024–25, 2025–26Nagykanizsai Olajbányász21943–44, 1972–73Pénzügyőr SE21970–71, 1991–92Putnok VSE22011–12, 2023–24RÁBA KÖG SK (as Traktorgyár & Vörös Csillag)21960–61, 1962–63Székelyudvarhely21942–43, 1943–44Székesfehérvári21943–44, 1950VSK Tököl22006–07, 2010–11

See also Nemzeti Bajnokság I Nemzeti Bajnokság II Hungarian Cup References