Graz Graz Graz () is the capital of Styria and the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna. On 1 January 2018, it had a population of 325,021 (of which 289,440 had principal residence status). In 2015, the population of the Graz larger urban zone who had principal residence status stood at 633,168. Graz has a long tradition as seat of universities: its six universities have almost 60,000 students. Its historic centre is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe. For centuries, Graz () was more important to Slovenes, both politically and culturally, than the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, and
Graz city, with three Austrian championships and five runner-up seasons. The Grazer AK also won an Austrian championship, but went into administration in 2007 and was excluded from the professional league system. In ice hockey, the ATSE Graz was the Austrian Hockey League champion in 1975 and 1978. The EC Graz was runner-up in 1991-92, 1992–93 and 1993-94. The Graz 99ers plays in first division since 2000. UBSC Raiffeisen Graz plays in the Austrian Basketball League. The Graz Giants play in the Austrian Football League (American Football). The city were bid the 2002 Winter Olympics in 1995, but lost election to