The Austrian National League (German:Österreichische Eishockey-Nationalliga) was the second highest league of the three nationwide ice hockey leagues in Austria. The winner of the league can theoretically move up to the Austrian Hockey League, but in practice this does not happen often, because of the higher cost of competing at the higher level. There is unofficial cooperation between some EBEL and National league teams, but the EC Red Bull Salzburg II are the only team that operates as a real farm-team.