1980–81 Divizia C

The 1980–81 Divizia C was the 25th season of Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football league system.

To Divizia C
Relegated from Divizia B
 * Muscelul Câmpulung
 * Energia Slatina
 * Unirea Alba Iulia
 * ICIM Brașov
 * Carpați Mârșa
 * Industria Sârmei Câmpia Turzii
 * Energia Gheorghiu-Dej
 * Chimia Turnu Magurele
 * Someșul Satu Mare
 * Portul Constanța
 * FCM Giurgiu
 * Strungul Arad

Promoted from County Championship
 * Unirea Siret
 * Tepro Iași
 * Victoria IRA Bacău
 * FEPA 74 Bârlad
 * Avântul Matca
 * Tractorul Viziru
 * Constructorul Călărași
 * Viitorul Mahmudia
 * Cetatea Turnu Măgurele
 * ICIM Ploiești
 * Unirea Răcari
 * Mecanizatorul Șimian
 * Victoria Craiova
 * Șoimii Lipova
 * CFR Caransebeș
 * Unirea Valea lui Mihai
 * Rapid Jibou
 * Electrozahăr Târgu Mureș
 * Minerul Paroșeni
 * Textila Năsăud
 * Minerul Baia Borșa
 * Metalul Mangalia
 * Hidroenergia Râmnicu Vâlcea
 * Constructorul Sfântu Gheorghe

From Divizia C
Promoted to Divizia B
 * Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț
 * Borzești
 * CSU Galați
 * IMU Medgidia
 * Sirena București
 * ROVA Roșiori
 * Minerul Lupeni
 * CFR Timișoara
 * Rapid Arad
 * CIL Sighetu Marmației
 * Metalul Aiud
 * Oltul Sfântu Gheorghe

Relegated to County Championship
 * IM Piatra-Neamț
 * Danubiana Roman
 * Constructorul Vaslui
 * ASA Iași
 * Chimia Buzău
 * FNC Săhăteni
 * Granitul Babadag
 * Automecanica București
 * Vâscoza București
 * Dinamo Alexandria
 * Constructorul Pitești
 * Chimistul Râmnicu Vâlcea
 * Gloria Strehaia
 * Laminorul Nădrag
 * Știința Petroșani
 * Minerul Șuncuiuș
 * Unirea Oradea
 * Bradul Vișeu de Sus
 * Hebe Sângeorz-Băi
 * Sticla Târnaveni
 * Faianța Sighișoara
 * Carpați Covasna
 * Utilajul Făgăraș

Renamed teams
Dinamo CPL Focșani was renamed as Gloria Focșani.

Pescărușul Tulcea was renamed as Șantierul Naval Tulcea.

Unirea Știința Eforie Nord was renamed as Unirea Eforie Nord.

Metalul Rovinari was renamed as Jiul Rovinari.

Hidroenergia Râmnicu Vâlcea was renamed as Minerul Râmnicu Vâlcea.

Șoimii Lipova was renamed as Șoimii Strungul Lipova.

Other changes
Chimia Brăila took the place of Progresul Brăila in Divizia B due to the merger between FC Brăila and Progresul Brăila

Dacia Unirea Brăila was spared from relegation.

Explorări Deva and Minerul Deva merged, the first one being absorbed by the second one and was renamed as Explormin Deva.

Minerul Certej took the place of Explorări Deva in Divizia C due to the merger between Explorări and Minerul Deva.

Știința Petroșani and Minerul Vulcan merged, the first one being absorbed by the second one and was renamed as Minerul Știința Vulcan.

IPA Sibiu was renamed during the winter break as Textila IPA Sibiu and moved to Cisnădie.