2023–24 Liga III

Football league season

The 2023–24 Liga III will be the 68th season of Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football league system. The season will begin in August 2023 and is scheduled to end in June 2024.

Team changes

FC Brașov saga

FC Brașov had comfortably avoided relegation from Liga II last season, while Progresul Spartac were relegated after losing their last chance, the play-off against Metaloglobus. However FC Brașov did not have their finances in order and the FRF had no choice but to relegate them. FC Brașov appealed the decision, including at the court in Lausanne, but ultimately lost.

On 7 August 2023, FC Brașov was definitively relegated from Liga II by the Romanian Football Federation, with Progresul Spartac being readmitted to the Liga II.^[7]

Soon after leadership decided to disband the senior team of FC Brașov with the view to eventually merge with fellow city club SR Brașov, freeing up another spot in Liga III.^[8]

Teams spared from relegation

Progresul Spartac București was spared from relegation to 2023–24 Liga III season, due to the decision to relegate FC Brașov, decision that vacanted place in the 2022–23 Liga II season.

Sănătatea Cluj, ACB Ineu, KSE Târgu Secuiesc and Vedița Colonești were spared from relegation to 2023–24 Liga IV season.

Withdrawn teams

Real Bradu,^[9] Farul II Constanța,^[10] Retezatul Hațeg,^[11] Ripensia Timișoara,^[12] Viitorul Liteni,^[13] Unirea Constanța and Academica Recea^[14] withdrew from the competition, before the start of the season. Crișul Chișineu-Criș^[15] withdrew at the time of the draw due to a political decision. Gloria Albești also withdrew last minute.

Renamed teams and other changes

Dinamo Bacău merged with Academia FC Bacău to form FC Bacău.^[16]

CSM Satu Mare was renamed as CSM Olimpia Satu Mare.^[17]

Muscelul Câmpulung Elite was renamed as AFC Câmpulung Muscel 2022^[18]

Last minute changes

With the disbanding of FC Brașov, and the last minute withdrawals of Crișul Chișineu-Criș and Gloria Albești, the FRF decided to readmit some teams and reshuffle some of the series in order to better adhere to geographic criteria. As such Dacia Unirea Braila were readmitted, even though they had relegated after the last season, also LPS HD Clinceni (formerly known as Academica Clinceni) and Oltul Curtișoara were allowed to join Liga III, even though they had lost their respective promotion playoffs from Liga IV.^[19]

League map

Bucharest

Șomuz

Bucovina

Foresta

CSM Bacău

Miroslava

Darabani

Brodoc

Aerostar

FC Bacău

CSM Vaslui

Metalul

Rm. Sărat

Liești

Focșani

Braniștea

Limpeziș

Dacia Unirea

Ianca

Hamangia

Șuțești

Modelu

Afumați

Agricola

Recolta

D.Cǎlǎrași

Băneasa

Axiopolis

Fundulea

Fl. Moreni

Pucioasa

ARO

D.Giurgiu

Plopeni

Blejoi

Breaza

Păulești

Râșnov

Kids Tâmpa

SR Brașov

Sepsi OSK II

Odorhei

KSE

Zărnești

AFC Muscel

Tărlungeni

Curița

Fl. Horezu

Potcoava

Vedița

Dăești

Roșiori

Cozia

Cetatea

Bascov

Rm. Vâlcea

Curtișoara

Deva

Jiul

Șimian

Gilortul

Filiași

Lupac

U Craiova II

Craiova 1948 II

Turceni

Ghiroda

Pecica

Cermei

Lipova

Periam

Ineu

Buziaș

Bihor

Poli

Socodor

Peciu Nou

Reghin

Ungheni

Metalurgistul

Târgu Mureș

Unirea

Viitorul Cluj

CSU

Gloria

Mediaș

Galda

Zalău

CSM Satu Mare

Olimpia MCMXXI

Ocna Dej

Lotus

Sănătatea

Sighetu

Sântandrei

Victoria Carei

Baia Mare

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Locations of Liga III clubs by series
Seria I   Seria II   Seria III   Seria IV   Seria V   Seria VI   Seria VII   Seria VIII   Seria IX   Seria X  

Voluntari II

Clinceni

Popești-Leordeni

CS Dinamo

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Locations of Liga III clubs from Bucharest and the vicinity
Seria III   Seria IV  

Regular season

Seria I

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]
(D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Foresta Suceava deducted 10 points. Subsequently it was excluded from Liga III, lost all matches from the second part with 0–3 and relegated to the last county football competition.
2. Viitorul Darabani was excluded in the first part of the season and all its results were canceled.

Seria II

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Seria III

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Seria IV

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Seria V

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Seria VI

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]
Notes:

1. Sporting Roșiori were deducted 2 points and was sanctioned with a transfer ban.

Seria VII

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Seria VIII

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Seria IX

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Seria X

Source: FRF (in Romanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored;
5) Head-to-head away goals scored; 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.^[20]

Play-off round

Seria I

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria II

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria III

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria IV

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria V

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria VI

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria VII

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria VIII

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria IX

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Seria X

Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play off); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play off); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Play-out round

Seria I

Updated to match(es) played on 17 May 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Foresta Suceava and Viitorul Darabani were excluded in the first part of the season and sanctioned with relegation to the last competitive category.

Seria II

Updated to match(es) played on 18 May 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria III

Updated to match(es) played on 18 May 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria IV

Updated to match(es) played on 18 May 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria V

Updated to match(es) played on 13 April 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria VI

Updated to match(es) played on 13 April 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria VII

Updated to match(es) played on 13 April 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria VIII

Updated to match(es) played on 13 April 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria IX

Updated to match(es) played on 13 April 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Seria X

Updated to match(es) played on 13 April 2024. Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in the regular season; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Goal difference (regular season + play out); 8) Goals scored (regular season + play out); 9) Play-off.^[20]
(R) Relegated

Promotion play-offs

The promotion play-offs are disputed between the first two teams from each of the ten play-off round series. Only the best five teams will be promoted to 2024–25 Liga II. To determine the sixth promoted, a mini-competition will be held, in which the best four of the five teams defeated in the finals of the playoffs will participate. The mini-competition will consist of semi-finals and a final (one game on the field of the first draw), the winner of the final advancing to Liga II, which goes from 20 to 22 participants.

First round

Second round

The sixth promoted team

References

1. "Viitorul Curița promovează la "masa verde" în Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
2. "Manșa retur a barajului de promovare în Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
3. "TAS a dat răspunsul: FC Brașov nu poate evolua în Liga 2. Echipa care îi ia locul în campionat". digisport.ro. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
4. "Manșa tur a barajelor de promovare în Liga 2". liga2.prosport.ro. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
5. "Aflăm cele cinci nou-promovate în Liga 2". liga2.prosport.ro. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
6. "Cele 19 echipe retrogradate din Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
7. "Verdict crunt de la TAS pentru FC Brașov!". liga2.prosport.ro. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
8. "FC Brașov are un nou președinte, un fost europarlamentar". 24 August 2023.
9. "Real Bradu se retrage din Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
10. "Farul Constanța a decis să-și dezființeze echipa secundă din Liga 3". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
11. "Retezatul Hațeg s-a retras din Liga 3 după un sezon în acest campionat". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
12. "Dumitru Mihu șochează: mai vrea să vândă Ripensia după ce a desființat echipa de seniori!". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
13. "Încă un abandon în Liga 3: deținătoarea eventului în Suceava a decis să continue la nivel județean!". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
14. "Academica Recea nu va lua startul în Liga 3!". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
15. "Crișul Chișineu Criș nu mai continuă în Liga 3! "Ni s-a comunicat să ne găsim alte echipe!"". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
16. "Dinamo Bacău dispare din Liga 3 după două sezoane. I-a cesionat locul în campionat altui club și l-a numit antrenor pe Costel Enache". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
17. "CSM Satu Mare va juca în noul sezon de Liga 3 sub denumirea de CSM Olimpia Satu Mare". liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
18. "ACS Muscelul Câmpulung Elite începe noul sezon de Liga 3 cu altă denumire. Cele trei echipe din Argeș prezente în campionat, dintre care două din Câmpulung, puse de FRF să joace în trei serii!" [ACS Muscelul Câmpulung Elite starts the new League 3 season with a different name. The three teams from Argeș present in the championship, of which two from Câmpulung, put by the FRF to play in three series!]. liga2.prosport.ro. 25 August 2023. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.(in Romanian)
19. "Modificări de ultim moment în Liga 3, cu schimbări în numai puțin de șase serii. Deciziile FRF pentru completarea celor trei locuri vacante după retragerea echipelor FC Brașov, Crișul Chișineu Criș și Gloria Albești" [Last-minute changes in League 3, with changes in just under six series. The decisions of the FRF to fill the three vacant places after the withdrawal of the teams FC Brașov, Crișul Chișinău Criș and Gloria Albești]. liga2.prosport.ro. 24 August 2023. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.(in Romanian)
20. "Regulamentul de Organizare a Activității Fotbalistice" (PDF). Retrieved 1 September 2022.