The 1972 2. divisjon was a Norwegian second-tier football league season. The league was contested by 35 teams, divided into a total of four groups; A and B (non-Northern Norwegian teams) and two district groups which contained teams from Northern Norway: district IX–X and district XI. The winners of group A and B were promoted to the 1973 1. divisjon, while the winners of the district groups qualified for the Northern Norwegian final. The second placed teams in group A and B met the winner of the district IX–X in a qualification round where the winner was promoted to 1. divisjon. The winner of district XI was not eligible for promotion. The bottom team in group A and B were relegated to the 3. divisjon. The to second last teams in group A and B met in a qualification round where the losing