Vízilabdabajnokság

Vízilabdabajnokság refers to the national championship of water polo in Hungary. The term most often denotes the top-tier men’s league, the Országos Bajnokság I (OB I), which is organized by the Magyar Vízilabda Szövetség (MVSZ). A parallel women’s competition, the OB I női, operates alongside the men’s league, together with lower divisions such as OB II for both genders.

The OB I season is run annually and typically features a regular round-robin phase followed by playoffs that determine the champion. The exact number of teams and the playoff format may change from year to year. Relegation and promotion connect OB I to OB II, ensuring movement between divisions based on performance.

Hungary has a long, distinguished tradition in water polo. The national league has produced many players who have achieved success in European competitions and with the Hungarian national team, which has won multiple Olympic, World Championship, and European titles. The OB I serves as the main domestic competition that develops talent for both national teams and international clubs.

The league is concentrated in Budapest and other sizable Hungarian cities, reflecting the sport’s historical strength in the country. It functions as the primary platform for club-level competition and player development in Hungarian water polo.

Related topics include water polo in Hungary and the Magyar Vízilabda Szövetség (MVSZ).