League 2 (Iran)

Iran Football's 2nd Division
Founded	1972 (officially) ; 2001 (with current format)
Country	Iran
Confederation	AFC
Divisions	2
Number of teams	28
Level on pyramid	3 (2001–); 2 (1972–2001)
Promotion to	Azadegan League
Relegation to	3rd Division
Domestic cup(s)	Hazfi Cup
Current champions	Nirooye Zamini Tehran(1st title) ; (2023-24)
Most championships	Esteghlal Ahvaz; (4 titles)
TV partners	Ostani Channels
	Current: 2023–24 season

Iranian football's 2nd division (Persian: ليگ دسته دوم ایران) is the third-highest football division overall in the Iranian football league system. Before 2001, the 2nd division league was the second-highest division in the national football league system. However, it was changed to third-highest division when Iran's football structure officially became professional.

The league consists of two, 14-team groups who play each other twice in a home and away format. The first- and second-placed teams in each group are automatically promoted to the Azadegan League. The bottom two teams in both groups are automatically relegated to the 3rd division.

If teams in the promotion or relegation spots are tied in terms of points, a home and away series will be played. The team with the best aggregate score will either avoid relegation or win promotion.

Sometimes these rules are not followed exactly. For example in the 2005–06 season, Deihim Ahvaz should have been relegated, but Nozhan Mazandaran despite finishing ahead of Deihim, were relegated instead because of the club's poor financial situation. Additionally the number of teams in each group was increased from twelve to fourteen this season.

Format

12 clubs: 2002–2003
24 clubs: 2003–2004
20 clubs: 2004–2005
24 clubs: 2005–2006
28 clubs: 2006–2008
36 clubs: 2008–2010
32 clubs: 2010–2011
28 clubs: 2011–2014
40 clubs: 2014–2016
37 clubs: 2016–2017
33 clubs: 2017–2018
26 clubs: 2018–2019
28 clubs: 2019–

League champions

As Iran's second-highest football division, 1972–1979

As Iran's second-highest football division, 1990–2001

1990–91: Malavan (A), Aboomoslem (B), Taam Esfehan (C), Esteghlal Ahvaz (D)
1991–92: Bargh Shiraz
1992–93: Chooka Anzali
1993–94: Naft Ghaemshahr
1994–95: Bahman Karaj
1995–96: Payam Mashhad (A) and Sanat Naft Abadan (B)
1996–97: Fajr Sepasi
1997–98: Malavan
1998–99: Bahman Karaj
1999–00: Bargh Shiraz
2000–01: Aboomoslem

As Iran's third-highest football division, 2001—Present

2001–02: -
2002–03: Shahid Ghandi
2003–04: Sanati Kaveh (National Group) and Pasargad Tehran (Region Groups/North) and Deyhim Ahvaz (Region Groups/South)
2004–05: Shahrdari Langarudn (A) and Pegah Khozestan (B)
2005–06: Pegah Tehran (A) and Etka Gorgan (B)
2006–07: Sepahan Novin (A) and Bargh Tehran (B)
2007–08: Aluminium Hormozgan
2008–09: Sanati Kaveh (A) and Mes Sarcheshmeh (B)
2009–10: Sepidrood Rasht
2010–11: Esteghlal Jonub
2011–12: Esteghlal Ahvaz
2012–13: Naft Gachsaran (A) and Siah Jamegan (B)
2013–14: Shahrdari Ardabil (A) and Etka Gorgan (B)
2014–15: Aluminium Arak
2015–16: Oxin Alborz (A) and Sepidrood Rasht (B)
2016–17: Shahrdari Tabriz (A) and Shahrdari Mahshahr (B)
2017–18: Karoon Arvand Khorramshahr (A) and Shahin Bushehr (B)
2018–19: Khooshe Talaee
2019–20: Chooka Talesh
2020–21: Mes Shahr-e Babak
2021–22: Chooka Talesh
2022–23: Naft va Gaz Gachsaran
2023-24: Nirooye Zamini Tehran

References

External links

(in English) League 2 Iran | Results, Fixtures, Standings, Players ...
(in Persian) Unofficial Fans Site. Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine.