Békéscsaba 1912 Előre is a Hungarian football club from Békéscsaba, Békés. The club was founded in 1912 as Előre Munkás Testedző Egyesület. Előre translates as Forward in English. The colours of the club are lilac and white. The club currently play in Nemzeti Bajnokság II, the second tier of Hungarian football. The club achieved its greatest success in 1988 when it won the Hungarian Cup competition, defeating Budapest Honvéd FC 3–2 in the final.
Until the end of 2004–05 the club spent a total of 25 seasons in the first Hungarian division, the Nemzeti Bajnokság I. They were promoted back to the top tier in 2015.
Contents
Name changes
1912: Békéscsabai Előre Munkás Testedző Egyesület
1948: Békéscsabai Előre SC
1970: Békéscsabai Előre Spartacus SC
1991: Békéscsabai Előre FC,
2005: Békéscsaba 1912 Előre SE
History
After winning the 1940–41 Körösvidéki I division, they were promoted to the Nemzeti Bajnokság III. In the first season of the third tier of the Hungarian football league system, Békéscsaba finished in the fifth position of the 1941–42 season of the Alföldi group. Therefore, they were promoted to the second tier, Nemzeti Bajnokság II.
In the first season of the Nemzeti Bajnokság II, Békéscsaba finished in the seventh position of the 1942–43 Nemzeti Bajnokság Mátyás group. The 1944–45 season was interrupted by the World War II. After some seasons in lower leagues, Békéscsaba returned to the second tier in the 1946–47 season of the Nemzeti Bajnokság II, finishing in the second position. After spending several season in the second tier, in the 1957–58 season they were relegated to the third division. In the 1962–63 season of the Nemzeti Bajnokság III, they finished in the fourth place and they were promoted to the second tier.
Békéscsaba won the 1968 Nemzeti Bajnokság III season and they were promoted to the Nemzeti Bajnokság II for the first time in the club's history.
Békéscsaba won the 1973–74 Nemzeti Bajnokság II season and they were promoted to the Nemzeti Bajnokság I for the first time in the history of the club. In the 1974–75 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season Békéscsaba finished in the 14th position and they were not relegated. After spending nine consecutive seasons in the top flight, they were relegated in the 1982–83 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season. Békéscsaba won only five matches and lost 18 matches and conceded 75 goals and scored only 41 goals in that season. However, the supporters of the club did not have to wait too long for the return to the top flight since Békéscsaba finished in the third place of the 1983–84 Nemzeti Bajnokság II season and were promoted to the first league.
In the 1982–83 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season Békéscsaba finished in the 16th position and thus were relegated to the second division.
On 13 June 1988, Békécscsaba won the 1987–88 Magyar Kupa season. This feat has been the biggest achievement in the history of the club so far. Békéscsaba beat Budapest Honvéd FC 3–2 in the final at the Tiszaligeti Stadion in Szolnok. Although István Gulyás scored an own goal in the 8th minute, István Csernus scored the equalizer in the 60th minute. In the 69th minute Tibor Gruborovics took the lead. However, László Gyimesi scored the second goal for Honvéd by taking the penalty in the 74th minute. The winning goal was scored by Sándor Csató in the 80th minute.
Stadium
Békéscsabai Előre play at the Kórház utcai Stadion situated in Békéscsaba, Hungary. Its capacity is 4,963 and it was built in 1974.
On 31 December 2015, it was announced that a new covered stand would be built with VIP sectors.
On 16 March 2017, it was published on Magyar Építók that the reconstruction would be finished in 2017. Floodlight will also be installed in the new stadium.
On 2 May 2019, Tamás Bod wrote an article on the stadium reconstruction in Magyar Narancs. According to the initial plans, the renovation should have been finished by 2017. However, even in 2019, the reconstruction has not been finished and the final costs cannot be exactly determined. On 28 April 2022, it was announced that the stadium would be renovated by 7 billion forints.
Békéscsaba were forced to play their 2023–24 Magyar Kupa match in Körösladány because the turf of the stadium became infected.
Current squad
As of 20 February 2026.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Honours
League
Nemzeti Bajnokság II:
Winners (3): 1945, 1991–92, 2001–02
Nemzeti Bajnokság III:
Winners (4): 1968, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2023–24
Hungarian Cup
Winners (1): 1987–88
Seasons
League positions
As of 26 July 2025
Between 1998–99 and 2001–02 the second tier league called NB I/B.