The Cypriot Third Division (Greek: Πρωτάθλημα Γ΄ Κατηγορίας) is the third tier football league competition in Cyprus, run by the Cyprus Football Association. Each year, the top finishing teams of the league are promoted to the Cypriot Second Division, and the lowest finishing teams are relegated to the STOK Elite Division.

History

The Cypriot Third Division was held for the first time in the 1970–71 season as the third level of the Cypriot football. All the teams played against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season crowned champions. This is the league's current format until present time.

The only season when the championship not held was during the 1974–75 season. Due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which forced many teams that had their headquarters to the north Cyprus to be closed temporarily or permanently, CFA decided to have a Special mixed championship of Second & Third Division. In this championship could participate all the teams of the Second and Third Division. Participation was optional. The championship had two geographical groups. The winners of each group were playing against each other in the final phase and the winners were the champions of the league. The winner was considered as the 1974–75 Cypriot Second Division champions.

Until the 1983–84 season, the teams that were relegated from the Cypriot Third Division were taking part in the next season's amateur leagues. From the 1984–85 season until the 2013–14 season, the teams that were relegated from the Cypriot Third Division were taking part in the next season's Cypriot Fourth Division. Since the 2014–15 season, the teams that are relegated from the Cypriot Third Division are taking part in the next season's STOK Elite Division.

From 1971–72 season until 2007–08 season, the Third Division teams were taking part in the Cypriot Cup. No Third Division team ever reached the final or the semifinals, but they managed to qualify to the quarter-finals once (Chalkanoras Idaliou in 1987–88). Since 2008–09 season, the Third Division teams are not allowed to participate in the Cypriot Cup, but they can take part to the Cypriot Cup for lower divisions (participation in this cup is not compulsory).

**Zypern - Division 3**

Die dritte Fußballliga Zyperns (griechisch: Γ' Κατηγορία) ist die dritthöchste Spielklasse im zyprischen Fußball.

**Organisation:**

Die Division 3 wird vom zyprischen Fußballverband (Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Ποδοσφαίρου, KOP) organisiert.

**Teilnehmer:**

Die Liga besteht aus 14 Mannschaften, die in einem Dreierrundensystem gegeneinander antreten. Insgesamt werden 36 Spiele pro Team ausgetragen.

**Beförderung und Abstieg:**

* Die beiden bestplatzierten Mannschaften werden in die zweite Liga (Division 2) befördert.
* Die beiden letztplatzierten Mannschaften steigen in die vierte Liga (Stoiximan Fourth Division) ab.

**Saisonverlauf:**

Die Saison dauert von August bis Mai. Die Spiele finden in der Regel an Wochenenden statt.

**Geschichte:**

Die Division 3 wurde 1974 als dritte Liga des zyprischen Fußballs gegründet. Im Laufe der Jahre hat sie verschiedene Namensänderungen erfahren, darunter "Β' Κατηγορία" (zweite Liga) und "Γ' Κατηγορία" (dritte Liga).

**Bedeutende Mannschaften:**

Zu den bemerkenswerten Mannschaften, die in der Division 3 gespielt haben, gehören:

* Alki Oroklini
* ENAD Polis Chrysochous
* Omonia Aradippou
* AEZ Zakakiou