Austrian Bundesliga
Austrian football league.
The Austrian Football Bundesliga, also known as Admiral Bundesliga for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional association football league in Austria and the highest level of the Austrian football league system. Contested by 12 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Liga. Seasons typically run from July to May, with each team playing 32 matches in a unique format that includes a championship round and a relegation round.
The competition was founded in 1974, following the decision to establish a nationwide league to replace the regional divisions that had previously dominated Austrian football. The Bundesliga has since become the pinnacle of Austrian club football, determining the national champions and the country's representatives in European competitions. The league is managed by the Österreichische Fußball-Bundesliga, with member clubs acting as shareholders.
The Austrian Bundesliga benefits from television rights deals, both domestically and internationally. ORF and Sky Sport Austria hold the domestic broadcasting rights, while OneFootball has secured rights for selected international markets. These agreements contribute significantly to the league's financial stability and its ability to attract and retain talent.
While not as globally renowned as some of its European counterparts, the Austrian Bundesliga has a dedicated following and has produced several clubs that have made their mark in European competitions. The league's matches are broadcast to numerous countries, reaching a substantial audience of football enthusiasts worldwide.
For the 2023–24 season, the average Austrian Bundesliga match attendance was around 8,000 spectators, reflecting the league's popularity within the country. The competition format is distinctive, with the league table split into two groups after 22 rounds, creating intense battles for the championship and against relegation.
As of 2023, the Austrian Bundesliga ranks 8th in the UEFA coefficient rankings, showcasing the improving performances of Austrian clubs in European competitions over recent years. Austrian teams have achieved notable successes in European tournaments, with clubs like Red Bull Salzburg and Rapid Wien making regular appearances in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
Since its inception, various clubs have competed in the Austrian Bundesliga, but it has been dominated by a few powerhouses. Rapid Wien holds the record for most championships with 32 titles, closely followed by Austria Wien with 24. Other notable champions include Red Bull Salzburg, Sturm Graz, and LASK. The current champions are Sturm Graz, who secured their fourth title in the 2023–24 season, adding to the competitive nature of the league and challenging the recent dominance of Red Bull Salzburg.