Major leagues

tipp3-Bundesliga (UEFA ranked 15)
Average attendance 2010/11: 7,953
10 teams.
Champions and second team into Champions League, 3rd, 4th and cup winners into Europa League. Bottom club relegated.
League website: http://www.bundesliga.at/

Erste Liga
Average attendance 2010/11: 1,727

10 teams.

Champions promoted to the Bundesliga, bottom three clubs relegatd into regional leagues.

Season: July to June, in two halves, with a winter break from shortly before Christmas through to mid February. Each

Kick off times: The regular kick off is a very sociable 6pm on Saturday, with the main TV game on at 3.30pm on Sunday. There is often a Friday night game at 8.30pm (7.30pm in winter) and it's not unusual for more games to be played on Sunday, sometimes daytime, sometimes evening. The second tier - Erste Liga - the usual round of games is at 6pm or 7pm on Fridays, with one game playing at 3.15pm on Saturday.

Well, it may not be a footballing powerhouse any more - ok, perhaps never was - but there's still good reason to head to Austria for the beautiful game.

They hosted the 2008 Euros with the Swiss and despite their early exit the tournament has left them with four world class stadiums and a bit of a lift for the domestic league in general. The Austrians may not be batting highly in the Champions League but if you fancy combining a bit of culture or the odd mountain or two with some football, there are worse places to head.

Plane is your favoured mode of transport for Austria. It's a fairly long trek by train but not completely out of sight, particularly on an overnighter. Your best bet for train bookings is direct with www.eurostar.com - to check for timetables throughout Austria in english visit www.bahn.de