Wacker Innsbruck is promoted to the second division. © Alexander Pauli Photography / Alexander Pauli

Wacker Innsbruck is back – and two South Tyroleans are celebrating with them

Wacker Innsbruck celebrated their third consecutive promotion this weekend. This means the traditional North Tyrolean club is back in professional football.

18 May 2026

From: dl

With an impressive 5-1 away win against SC Schwaz, the Black and Greens secured promotion to the second division this weekend. Four years after their bitter relegation and the loss of their license, the traditional club returns to the big stage of German football. This marks Wacker's third consecutive promotion. This year, the Black and Greens are the undisputed leaders of the Regionalliga West.

Not only Wacker fans in North Tyrol have reason to celebrate, but also those south of the Brenner Pass. Firstly, there's the fan friendship with FC Obermais. Secondly, Adrian Lechl and Fabian Lantschner, two key players in the team's success, hail from South Tyrol. While the 38-year-old Lantschner from Natz serves as assistant coach and right-hand man to head coach Sebastian Siller, Lechl is a dynamic force in attack.

Adrian Lechl (right) from Lüsen scored seven goals for Wacker this year. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

Lantschner has been Wacker legend Siller's assistant coach for over three years now. They are primarily responsible for the team's sporting success at the Tivoli stadium. Lechl, 21, from Lüsen, has scored seven goals in 26 appearances for Wacker this season. Next season, Wacker will also face arch-rival Austria Salzburg in the second division. The fact is: the euphoria surrounding the Tivoli stadium, where an average attendance of around 5.000 is expected, is back.