The Montenegrin Third League (Montenegrin: Treća crnogorska liga / Трећа црногорска лига) is the third and lowest-tier football league in Montenegro. It is headed by the regional unions of the Football Association of Montenegro (Union of the clubs - North, Union of the clubs - Center, Union of the clubs - South), under the Football Association of Montenegro. In the 2020-21 season, 30 teams participated, divided into three regions. The top team from each region qualifies for the playoff from which the top team qualify for the Second League of Montenegro.

History

Regional leagues as a lowest-tier competition in Montenegro, were founded in 1968. The format and system of competition has not changed. From 1968 to 2006, it was the fourth or fifth level of competition in SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. Following Montenegrin independence (2006), regional leagues became the third tier in the organisation of domestic football competitions.
From 1968 until now, the league is divided on three regions - North (clubs from territories of Berane, Bijelo Polje, Gusinje, Mojkovac, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Rožaje and Žabljak) Center (Podgorica with Golubovci and Tuzi, Danilovgrad, Kolašin, Nikšić, Plužine and Šavnik) and South (Bar, Budva, Cetinje, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat and Ulcinj).
At period 1961–2006, winners of three regional leagues were promoted to Montenegrin Republic League (3rd tier) or played Montenegrin football playoffs.

Champions (2006-)

After independence of Montenegro, regional leagues, with the same format and divisions, became Third League, and also a lowest tier of competition.
At the end of season, champions of each region qualifies for the playoff. Every season, two top teams from playoff are qualified for the Second League.
Below is the list of Montenegrin Third League champions.

Key

Promoted to 2.CFL via playoffs
Season North Center South
2006-07 Tekstilac Iskra Otrant
2007-08 Polimlje Ribnica Mornar
2008-09 Gusinje Zora OFK Bar
2009-10 Pljevlja Iskra Cetinje
2010-11 Petnjica Blue Star Igalo
2011-12 Pljevlja Zora Arsenal
2012-13 Pljevlja Kom Cetinje
2013-14 Radnički Iskra Federal
2014-15 Brskovo Grafičar Sloga Radovići
2015-16 Polimlje Čelik Otrant
2016-17 Pljevlja Podgorica Arsenal
2017-18 Brskovo Bratstvo Arsenal
2018-19 Ibar Drezga Cetinje
2019-20 Berane Mladost DG Igalo
2020-21 Petnjica Mladost DG Cetinje
2021-22 Ibar Nikšić Otrant
2022-23 Ibar Internacional Lovćen
2023-24 Ibar Zeta Budva

Full list of champions of regional leagues before 2006, is available on the page Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav football competitions (1946-2006).

Complete team list

From 2006, 60 different teams played in Montenegrin Third League. This is the complete list of the clubs that took part in 17 seasons played from 2006-07 to 2022-23, ranked by champion titles won in the Third League.

Club Town Region Ssn First Last 1st 2nd 3rd
Pljevlja Pljevlja North 17 2006–07 2022–23 4 6 2
Cetinje Cetinje South 12 2006–07 2023–24 4 2 1
Ibar Rožaje North 4 2018–19 2023–24 4 0 0
Arsenal Tivat South 6 2009–10 2017–18 3 3 0
Otrant Ulcinj South 6 2006–07 2021–22 3 1 0
Iskra Danilovgrad Center 5 2006–07 2013–14 3 0 1
Brskovo Mojkovac North 17 2006–07 2023–24 2 5 3
Zora Spuž Center 10 2007–08 2023–24 2 2 1
Polimlje Murino North 18 2006–07 2023–24 2 1 3
Petnjica Petnjica North 17 2006–07 2023–24 2 2 3
Igalo Igalo South 6 2006–07 2019–20 2 0 3
Mladost DG Podgorica Center 2 2019–20 2020–21 2 0 0
Drezga Piperi Center 14 2006–07 2023–24 1 3 0
Blue Star Podgorica Center 6 2006–07 2011–12 1 2 1
Sloga Radovići South 15 2009–10 2023–24 1 2 3
Bar Bar South 3 2006–07 2008–09 1 1 0
Čelik Nikšić Center 5 2014–15 2023–24 1 1 2
Nikšić Nikšić Center 4 2010–11 2021–22 1 1 0
Internacional Podgorica Center 2 2021–22 2022–23 1 1 0
Ribnica Podgorica Center 16 2006–07 2023–24 1 0 4
Tekstilac Bijelo Polje North 7 2006–07 2013–14 1 0 2
Gusinje Gusinje North 15 2008–09 2023–24 1 0 1
Grafičar Podgorica Center 9 2006–07 2014–15 1 0 0
Bratstvo Cijevna Center 5 2017–18 2021–22 1 0 0
Lovćen Cetinje South 3 2020–21 2022–23 1 0 0
Podgorica Podgorica Center 2 2015–16 2016–17 1 0 0
Radnički Berane North 2 2013–14 2017–18 1 0 0
Mornar Bar South 1 2007–08 2007–08 1 0 0
Kom Podgorica Center 1 2012–13 2012–13 1 0 0
Berane Berane North 1 2019–20 2019–20 1 0 0
Federal Ulcinj South 1 2013–14 2013–14 1 0 0
Zeta Golubovci Center 1 2023–24 2023–24 1 0 4
Partizan Bar South 13 2010–11 2022–23 0 4 4
Crvena Stijena Podgorica Center 14 2010–11 2023–24 0 4 3
Borac Bijelo Polje North 8 2016–17 2023–24 0 4 2
Polet Nikšić Center 10 2009–10 2022–23 0 2 1
Budva Budva South 4 2020–21 2023–24 1 2 1
Obilić Sutorina South 4 2012–13 2021–22 0 2 1
Orjen Zelenika South 8 2008–09 2023–24 0 1 2
Gorštak Kolašin Center 13 2006–07 2018–19 0 1 1
Akademija Ulcinj South 2 2022–23 2023–24 0 1 1
Zabjelo Podgorica Center 8 2015–16 2023–24 0 1 0
OFK Titograd Podgorica Center 2 2022–23 2023–24 0 1 0
Komovi Andrijevica North 18 2006–07 2023–24 0 0 2
Sloga Bar South 18 2006–07 2023–24 0 0 2
Bijela Bijela South 3 2006–07 2008–09 0 0 1
Adria Podgorica Center 5 2018–19 2022–23 0 0 1
Napredak Berane North 12 2006–07 2018–19 0 0 0
Prvijenac Bijelo Polje North 8 2006–07 2013–14 0 0 0
Fair Play Bijelo Polje North 6 2013–14 2018–19 0 0 0
E-Roma Bijelo Polje North 4 2009–10 2012–13 0 0 0
Titeks Podgorica Center 4 2007–08 2010–11 0 0 0
Karioke Podgorica Center 7 2016–17 2023–24 0 0 0
Mogren Budva South 2 2015–16 2016–17 0 0 0
Durmitor Žabljak North 2 2009–10 2010–11 0 0 0
Gornja Zeta Zeta Center 2 2009–10 2010–11 0 0 0
Ilarion Zeta Center 5 2019–20 2023–24 0 0 0
Olympico Golubovci Center 5 2020–21 2023–24 0 0 0
Sjeverna Zvijezda Bijelo Polje North 1 2015–16 2015–16 0 0 0
Spuž Spuž Center 2 2020–21 2021–22 0 0 0
OFK Gusinje Gusinje North 2 2022–23 2023–24 0 0 0
Fans United Podgorica Center 1 2023–24 2023–24 0 0 0
Balkan Bar South 1 2023–24 2023–24 0 0 0
  • Note: As of the end of 2023–24 season
League or status for 2022-23 season
2022–23 Montenegrin First League
2022–23 Montenegrin Second League
2022–23 Montenegrin Third League
No longer exists

Ssn = Number of seasons; First = First season in Third League; Last = Last season in Third League; 1st = finishing as a champion of region; 2nd = finishing as a runner-up; 3rd = finishing as a third-placed team

Final placement by season

North

Since its establishing, in Montenegrin Third League - North participated overall 18 different teams. Most successful participants are FK Pljevlja, who won four titles. Except that, FK Pljevlja made the biggest win in some Montenegrin official men football competition - on season 2012-13, they defeated FK E-Roma 26-1 (14-0). During the same game, FK Pljevlja player Alen Pajević scored seven goals, which was all-time record in Montenegrin Third League, until season 2022-23 when Aleksandar Krstović scored nine goals for Zora Spuž agains Adria in 18-0 win.
Among the other title winners in Third League - North are FK Ibar (3), FK Brskovo (2), FK Polimlje (2), FK Petnjica (2), FK Berane (1), FK Gusinje (1), FK Tekstilac (1) and FK Radnički (1).
Two teams, FK Komovi and FK Polimlje, participated in all the seasons of Third League - North.

Club 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Berane - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -
Borac - - - - - - - - - - 3 2 4 2 2 5 3 2
Brskovo 7 3 6 8 2 2 2 3 1 - 2 1 3 4 6 2 5 4
Durmitor - - - 7 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
E-Roma - - - 10 10 9 10 - - - - - - - - - - -
Fair Play - - - - - - - 11 8 8 9 8 10 - - - - -
Gusinje - - 1 - 3 4 4 9 7 4 5 7 8 8 5 7 8 9
OFK Gusinje - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 6
Ibar - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - 1 1 1
Komovi 6 6 5 9 9 8 7 4 4 5 4 3 6 5 7 3 4 5
Napredak 8 5 8 6 5 7 8 8 5 7 8 9 9 - - - - -
Petnjica 5 4 7 2 1 - 5 5 3 3 6 5 2 3 1 8 6 7
Pljevlja 3 2 2 1 - 1 1 2 2 2 1 4 5 7 4 4 2 3
Polimlje 2 1 4 3 4 3 9 7 6 1 7 6 7 6 3 6 9 8
Prvijenac 4 7 9 5 7 5 6 10 - - - - - - - - - -
Radnički - - - - - - - 1 - - - 10 - - - - - -
Sjeverna Zvijezda - - - - - - - - - 6 - - - - - - - -
Tekstilac 1 - 3 4 8 6 3 6 - - - - - - - - - -

07 = season 2006/07

Center

Overall 25 different clubs played in Montenegrin Third League - Central region since its establishing (2006–07). Most trophies won FK Iskra with three titles. Except them, among the champions were FK Zora (2), OFK Mladost DG (2) FK Kom (1), FK Ribnica (1), FK Podgorica (1), FK Grafičar (1), FK Bratstvo (1), FK Drezga (1), FK Internacional (1)' and FK Blue Star (1).
Owner of the biggest wins in the history of Montenegrin Third League - Center is FK Zabjelo, who defeated FK Ribnica away with result 20-0 (season 2019-20). Player with most scored goals on one game is Aleksandar Krstović (9 goals) who made a record on match Zora - Olympico 18-0 (season 2022-23)

Club 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Adria - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 5 7 10 12 -
Blue Star 4 2 2 3 1 4 - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bratstvo - - - - - - - - - - - 1 7 7 8 13 - -
Crvena Stijena - - - - 5 3 5 2 2 7 5 2 4 6 3 3 2 7
Čelik - - - - - - - - 2 1 - - 10 - - - 3 3
Drezga 2 3 4 5 2 2 6 4 - - 6 4 1 - - 9 9 8
Fans United - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6
Gornja Zeta - - - 7 8 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Gorštak 5 7 6 6 9 7 4 5 5 3 2 5 9 - - - - -
Grafičar 6 6 7 8 7 8 7 6 1 - - - - - - - - -
Ilarion - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 5 5 10 5
Internacional - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 1 -
Iskra 1 4 3 1 - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Karioke - - - - - - - - - - 6 - 6 4 10 8 11 10
Kom - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
Mladost DG - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 1 - - -
Podgorica - - - - - - - - - 5 1 - - - - - - -
Nikšić - - - - 6 9 - - - - - - - - 2 1 - -
Olympico - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12 11 13 12
Polet - - - 9 10 5 2 7 - - - - 2 3 6 6 7 -
Ribnica 3 1 - 4 4 6 3 3 - 6 4 3 8 9 11 12 8 11
Spuž - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 14 - -
Titeks - 8 5 10 11 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OFK Titograd - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 2
Zabjelo - - - - - - - - - 4 3 - 5 2 4 4 4 4
Zeta - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1
Zora - 5 1 2 3 1 - - 4 2 - - - - - 7 5 9

07 = season 2006/07

South

Since establishing, 17 different teams played in Montenegrin Third League - South region. Among them, most successes have FK Cetinje with four titles and FK Arsenal with three. Except them, winners of competition were also FK Otrant (2), FK Igalo (2), FK Mornar (1), FK Lovćen (1) OFK Bar (1), OFK Federal (1) and FK Sloga Radovići (1).
Since 2006, biggest win in Montenegrin Third League - South made FK Cetinje, who defeated FK Bijela with score 12-0 on season 2007-08.
FK Sloga Bar is the only team which played every single season of Montenegrin Third League - South Region.

Club 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Akademija - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 2
Arsenal - - - 2 2 1 - - - 2 1 1 - - - - - -
Balkan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7
Bar 6 2 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bijela 5 4 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Budva - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 2 2 1
Cetinje 2 5 2 1 5 3 1 - - - - - 1 4 1 - 8 6
Federal - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Partizan - - - - 4 5 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 6 5 4 -
Igalo 3 3 4 3 1 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -
Lovćen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 4 1 -
Mogren - - - - - - - - - 6 5 - - - - - - -
Mornar - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Obilić - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - 2 5 3 - -
Orjen - - 3 - - - - 4 3 - - - - 6 2 6 5 4
Otrant 1 - - - - 2 4 - - 1 - - - - 4 1 - -
Sloga Bar 4 6 5 5 6 6 5 5 4 5 3 4 4 7 9 8 6 3
Sloga R - - - 4 3 4 3 3 1 4 4 2 2 5 7 7 7 5

07 = season 2006/07

Promotion playoffs

Following the Montenegrin independence, from the season 2006/07, champions of three regional leagues are participating in the playoffs for Montenegrin Second League promotion. Until 2020, every team is played four matches, and at the end, best-placed are promoted to a higher rank. From 2020, every team is playing two games, and if there is no winner after 90 minutes, penalties are deciding about it. Two teams are gaining promotion to the Second League.
Playoffs are playing after the regular season, at the end of May and start of June every year.

Promotions by season

Until now, most promotions to Montenegrin Second League through playoffs gained FK Iskra (2), FK Arsenal (2), FK Otrant (2) and FK Igalo (2).

00 Promoted to Montenegrin Second League.
Season 1st 2nd 3rd Results
2007 FK Otrant FK Tekstilac FK Iskra OTR - TEK 2-1, 1-2; OTR - ISK 6-0, 2-0; TEK - ISK 2-0, 2-0
2008 FK Mornar FK Ribnica FK Polimlje MOR - RIB 1-0, 2-1; MOR - POL 3-2, 2-2; RIB - POL 2-2, 2-0
2009 OFK Bar FK Gusinje FK Zora BAR - GUS 3-0, 3-3; BAR - ZOR 3-2, 4-1; GUS - ZOR 1-0, 2-2
2010 FK Pljevlja FK Iskra FK Cetinje PLJ - ISK 0-0, 0-0; PLJ - CET 0-0, 2-1; ISK - CET 1-1, 0-0
2011 FK Igalo FK Petnjica FK Blue Star IGA - PET 0-0, 1-1; IGA - BLU 3-0, 2-1; PET - BLU 1-0, 1-1
2012 FK Arsenal FK Zora FK Pljevlja ARS - PLJ 3-2, 3-0; ARS - ZOR 1-0, 0-2; ZOR - PLJ 3-0, 0-2
2013 FK Kom FK Cetinje FK Pljevlja KOM - CET 3-0, 1-0; KOM - PLJ 0-1, 1-2; CET - PLJ 3-1, 2-1
2014 FK Radnički FK Iskra OFK Federal RAD - ISK 2-1, 1-2; RAD - FED 2-0, 1-0; ISK - FED 2-0, 0-1
2015 FK Brskovo FK Grafičar FK Sloga R BRS - GRA 2-0, 1-2; BRS - SLO 7-1, 0-0; GRA - SLO 2-0, 0-1
2016 FK Čelik FK Otrant FK Polimlje ČEL - OTR 3-0, 0-1; ČEL - POL 7-0, 2-0; OTR - POL 2-2, 3-2
2017 FK Podgorica FK Arsenal FK Pljevlja POD - ARS 1-2, 2-1; POD - PLJ 4-0, 1-3; ARS - PLJ 1-0, 0-1
2018 FK Arsenal FK Brskovo FK Bratstvo ARS - BRS 1-0, 1-1; ARS - BRA 1-1, 2-0; BRS - BRA 1-0, 3-4
2019 FK Ibar FK Drezga FK Cetinje CET - IBA 1-0, 1-3; DRE - CET 0-0, 0-0; IBA - DRE 2-0, 1-4
2020 FK Igalo FK Berane OFK Mladost DG MLA - BER 0-0 (3-4); IGA - MLA 2-0; BER - IGA 1-2
2021 OFK Mladost DG FK Cetinje FK Petnjica PET - MLA 0-2; MLA - CET 6-0; CET - PET 2-0
2022 OFK Nikšić FK Otrant FK Ibar OTR - IBA 2-0; IBA - NIK 0-3; NIK - OTR 3-1
2023 FK Lovćen FK Internacional FK Ibar INT - IBA 4-1; IBA - LOV 0-4; LOV - INT 2-1

Promotions by region

During the history, most promotions to Montenegrin Second League gained teams from Central and South region. Representatives of that regions gained promotions via playoffs 12 times. Clubs from North region gained 8 promotions through playoffs.

Third League region Promotions
North 8
Center 12
South 12
The Montenegro Third League is a highly anticipated soccer tournament held in Montenegro. It is one of the most prestigious and competitive leagues in the country, showcasing the immense talent and passion for the sport.

The tournament features teams from various regions of Montenegro, each vying for the coveted title and the opportunity to advance to higher divisions. The league consists of a round-robin format, where teams compete against each other in a series of matches to determine the ultimate winner.

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The tournament serves as a platform for young and aspiring players to showcase their abilities and catch the attention of scouts and professional clubs. It is a breeding ground for talent, with many players from the Montenegro Third League going on to represent the national team or securing contracts with renowned clubs both domestically and internationally.

The Montenegro Third League not only promotes the development of soccer in Montenegro but also fosters a sense of unity and pride among the local communities. The matches attract a passionate fan base, who come out in large numbers to support their favorite teams, creating an incredible ambiance in the stadiums.

Overall, the Montenegro Third League is a thrilling and competitive soccer tournament that showcases the best of Montenegrin soccer talent. It is a must-watch event for soccer enthusiasts, offering an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, skill, and the spirit of the game.