The Croatian Second Football League (), commonly Druga NL or 2. NL, is the third tier of the Croatian football league system. The league was established in 1991, following the dissolution of the Yugoslav League. It is operated by the Croatian Football Federation.

It was previously known as the Third Football League, but was renamed with the other leagues for the start of the 2022–23 season.

Rules , at least three players under 21 years of age must play in each match, and only two foreign nationals are permitted to play for each team.

Format Since its inception in 1992, the league has changed formats several times. In its inaugural season, the league had four divisions (North, Center, South and West). In the 1992–93 season, a fifth division was added (East). The five-group league continued until the 2006–07 season when the league was re-organised and reduced to three geographical divisions with 18 clubs in each group.

As of 2018, teams are promoted only if they have a valid license to the 2.HNL. For example, NK Vinogradar won the 2017, 2018 and 2019 west division, but were denied promotion since they did not apply for a license.

From the season 2022–23 onward, it is a unified league just as the top two tiers.

Champions 1998–2022 Key †Club gained promotion to the unified 2. HNLNClub gained promotion to 2. HNL NorthSClub gained promotion to 2. HNL South SeasonDivision CenterDivision WestDivision EastDivision SouthDivision NorthAlso promoted1998–99PIK Vrbovec †Pomorac Kostrena †Marsonia †Mosor †Čazmatrans †-1999–00TŠK Topolovac †Žminj †Papuk † Hrvatski VitezKoprivnica †-2000–01Trnje SUljanik Pula SMetalac Osijek NGOŠK Dubrovnik SPodravac N-2001–02 Napredak VM OpatijaDilj N Primorac Stobreč Mladost Prelog-2002–03Segesta S ŽminjSlavonija Požega N MosorVirovitica N-2003–04Naftaš S Draga VišnjevacMosor SBjelovar N-2004–05Karlovac S Istra PulaGraničar N KonavljaninMladost Molve N-2005–06Moslavina † Jadran Poreč Croatia Đakovo GOŠK Dubrovnik Suhopolje-2006–07-Vinogradar †Slavonac CO †Trogir †- Segesta2007–08-Karlovac †Suhopolje † Hrvace- Lokomotiva, Međimurje, Junak Sinj2008–09-Rudeš † Grafičar VodovodRNK Split †- Lučko, Vukovar '912009–10-Gorica † LipikDugopolje †- HAŠK, MV Croatia2010–11-Radnik Sesvete † PodravinaRaštane--2011–12-Zelina † BSK Bijelo BrdoRaštane Mladost Ždralovi Primorac 19292012–13Segesta † Grobničan Slavonija Val Mladost Ždralovi-2013–14 Maksimir Opatija BSK Bijelo BrdoImotski † MeđimurjeBistra †2014–15-Dinamo II †SlavijaŠibenik †--2015–16-Novigrad †MeđimurjeSolin †--2016–17- Vinogradar MeđimurjeHajduk II †-Varaždin †Kustošija †2017–18- VinogradarOsijek II † Croatia Zmijavci-BSK Bijelo Brdo †Međimurje †Zadar †2018–19- VinogradarCibalia † Junak Sinj-Dubrava †Orijent 1919 †Croatia Zmijavci †2019–20 VinogradarOpatija † MarsoniaJunak Sinj † Mladost Ždralovi-2020–21Jarun Zagreb † Crikvenica Belišće Neretvanac Mladost Ždralovi-2021–22Zagorec Krapina CrikvenicaVukovar 1991 † Jadran LP Polet-

2022–present SeasonDivisionsDivision winnersClubs promoted to 1. NLTop scorerGoals2022–2316 clubsSesveteSesvete Zrinski Jurjevac Nikola Marić222023–2416 clubsOpatijaOpatija Goodness Ajayi162024–2516 clubsHrvaceHrvace Karlovac 1919 Ivan Matyazh252025–2616 clubsSegestaSegesta Kustošija Jadran LP Mladost Ždralovi Nikola Marić24

Notes

1. : Although Hrvatski Vitez of Posedarje finished top of the 1999–2000 South Division, they were demoted for unknown reasons and competed in the 4th league the following season. South Division runners-up Imotska Krajina were promoted to 2. HNL instead. 2. : Although NK Hrvace finished top of the 2007–08 South Division, they did not applied for promotion so South Division runners-up Junak of Sinj were promoted to 2. HNL instead. 3. : Although NK Grafičar Vodovod finished top of the 2008–09 East Division, they did not applied for promotion. As only fifth placed NK Vukovar '91 met the needed criteria they were promoted to 2. HNL instead. 4. : Although NK Lipik finished top of the 2009–10 East Division, they did not applied for promotion so East Division runners-up MV Croatia of Slavonski Brod were promoted to 2. HNL instead. 5. : Although NK Podravina Ludbreg finished top of the 2010–11 East Division and applied for promotion, they subsequently refused promotion for financial reasons. No one from East Division was promoted to 2. HNL instead. 6. : Although NK Raštane finished top of the 2010–11 South Division, their application for 2. HNL was refused because of lack of appropriate infrastructure. No one from South Division was promoted to 2. HNL instead. 7. : Although NK BSK Bijelo Brdo finished top of the 2011–12 East Division, they did not applied for promotion. No one from East Division was promoted to 2. HNL instead. 8. : Although NK Mladost Ždralovi finished top of the 2011–12 North Division, they did not applied for promotion. No one from North Division was promoted to 2. HNL instead. 9. : Although NK Raštane finished top of the 2011–12 South Division, they did not applied for promotion so South Division runners-up NK Primorac 1929 were promoted to 2. HNL instead. 10. : Although Grobničan finished top of the 2012–13 West Division, they did not apply for promotion. No one from West Division was promoted to 2. HNL instead. 11. : Although Slavonija finished top of the 2012–13 East Division, their application for 2. HNL was refused because of lack of appropriate infrastructure. No one from East Division was promoted to 2. HNL instead. 12. : Although NK Mladost Ždralovi finished top of the 2012–13 North Division, they did not apply for promotion. No one from North Division was promoted to 2. HNL instead. 13. : HNK Val lose against Segesta in play-off. 14. : Although Maksimir, Opatija and BSK Bijelo Brdo finished top of their respective 2013–14 divisions, they did not apply for promotion. Međimurje, champion of 3. HNL North Division, applied for promotion but did not met necessary financial and infrastructural requirements. 15. : Although NK Vinogradar finished top of the 2016–17 West Division, they did not apply for promotion so West Division runners-up NK Kustošija Zagreb gained promotion to 2. HNL. 16. : Although NK Međimurje finished top of the 2016–17 East Division, they did not apply for promotion so East Division runners-up NK Varaždin gained promotion to 2. HNL. 17. : Although NK Vinogradar and NK Opatija finished on top of the 2017–18 West Division, they were not promoted as they were not granted a licence for 2. HNL. 18. : Although NK Croatia Zmijavci and HNK Primorac Biograd na Moru finished on top of the 2017–18 South Division, they were not promoted as they were not granted a licence for 2. HNL. Third placed NK Zadar gained promotion to 2. HNL. 19. : Although NK Vinogradar finished on top of the 2018–19 West Division, they were not promoted as they were not granted a licence for 2. HNL. Second placed NK Dubrava and third placed HNK Orijent 1919 gained promotion to 2. HNL. 20. : Although NK Junak Sinj and HNK Primorac Biograd na Moru finished on top of the 2018–19 South Division, they were not promoted as they were not granted a licence for 2. HNL. Third placed NK Croatia Zmijavci gained promotion to 2. HNL.

References