| Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Sport | Association football |
| Promotion and relegation | Yes |
| National system | |
| Federation | German Football Association |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Top division |
|
| Second division |
|
| Cup competition |
|
| Regional systems | |
| Federations | |
| Association football in Germany | |
TheGerman football league system, orleague pyramid, refers to the hierarchically interconnectedleague system forassociation football in Germany that in the 2016–17season consisted of 2,235leagues in up to 13 levels having 31,645teams, in which alldivisions are bound together by the principle ofpromotion and relegation.
The top threeprofessional levels contain one division each. Below this, thesemi-professional andamateur levels have progressively more parallel divisions, which each cover progressively smaller geographic areas. Teams that finish at the top of their division at the end of each season can rise higher in the pyramid, while those that finish at the bottom find themselves sinking further down. Therefore, in theory, it is possible for even the lowest local amateur club to rise to the top of the system and becomeGerman football champions one day. The number of teams promoted and relegated between the divisions varies, and promotion to the upper levels of the pyramid is usually contingent on meeting additional criteria, especially concerning appropriate facilities and finances.
TheGerman football league system is held under the jurisdiction of the nationwideGerman Football Association and its professional bodyGerman Football League, along with its fiveregional associations and their 21state associations.
On top of the system sits the level one1. Bundesliga and the level two2. Bundesliga, both organized by the professional German Football League. The two top flights are then followed by the level three3. Liga, the lowest full professional division in Germany, organised by the German Football Association itself.
The professional level fourRegionalliga is divided into 5 regional divisions, these typically organised by one or two of the five regional associations of the German Football association, these being theNorthern German Football Association, theNortheastern German Football Association, theWestern German Football Association, theSouthwestern Regional Football Association and theSouthern German Football Association. For Bavaria, theBavarian Football Association, a member state association of the Southern German Football Association, runs their top division under their own jurisdiction.
Starting at level five, the various fully amateur divisions are usually governed by the 21 state associations. For the North East German Football Association and Southwestern Regional Football Association, both regional bodies still run the level five divisions under their jurisdiction. Their state member associations' pyramids therefore start at level six.
| Level | Division | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Leagues | |||||||
| 1 | 1. Bundesliga 18 teams ↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation play-off spot | ||||||
| 2 | 2. Bundesliga 18 teams ↑ 2 promotion spots + 1 promotion play-off spot ↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation play-off spot | ||||||
| 3 | 3. Liga 20 teams ↑ 2 promotion spots + 1 promotion play-off spot ↓ 4 relegation spots | ||||||
| Non-Professional Leagues | |||||||
| 4 | Regionalliga Nord 18 teams ↑ 1 promotion spot or promotion play-off spot ↓ 2 to 4 relegation spots | Regionalliga Nordost 18 teams ↑ 1 promotion spot or promotion play-off spot ↓ 1 to 5 relegation spots | Regionalliga West 18 teams ↑ 1 promotion spot ↓ 1 to 4 relegation spots | Regionalliga Südwest 18 teams ↑ 1 promotion spot ↓ 3 to 6 relegation spots | Regionalliga Bayern 20 teams ↑ 1 promotion spot or promotion play-off spot ↓ 2 to 4 relegation spots + 2 relegation play-off spots | ||
| 5 | Hamburg Bremen Schleswig-Holstein Lower Saxony | 2 divisions of | Lower Rhine Middle Rhine Westphalia | Oberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar Oberliga Baden-Württemberg Hesse | 2 divisions in Bavaria state league system ↑ 2 promotion spots + 2 promotion playoff spots | ||
| 6 | Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Brandenburg Berlin Saxony-Anhalt Thuringia Saxony | Rhineland Saarland Southwest Baden South Baden Württemberg | |||||
After each season, the winners of theBundesliga are crownedGerman football champions. The bottom two Bundesliga teams are relegated to2. Bundesliga, whereas the champion and runner-up of 2. Bundesliga are promoted to the top flight. Additionally, the third-last ranked team of Bundesliga and the third-best ranked team of 2. Bundesliga plays a promotion/relegation playoff for the final spot in the next Bundesliga edition. The bottom two 2. Bundesliga teams are relegated to3. Liga, whereas the champion and runner-up of 3. Liga are promoted to the second flight. Additionally, the third-last ranked team of 2. Bundesliga and the third-best ranked team of 3. Liga plays a promotion/relegation playoff for the final spot in the next 2. Bundesliga edition. The bottom four teams of 3. Liga are relegated toRegionalliga.
Whereas the professional first three levels of theGerman football league system each are single division only and are organised by nationwide governing bodies, the semi-professional level fourRegionalliga comprises five independent divisions, each run by different regional and/or state associations.
Three regional bodies, being theNorthern German Football Association, theNorth East German Football Association and theWestern German Football Association, each run a division under their sole jurisdiction, these being the correspondingRegionalliga Nord, theRegionalliga Nordost and theRegionalliga West. The two regional bodiesSouthwestern Regional Football Association andSouthern German Football Association share the jurisdiction on theRegionalliga Südwest. Finally, theBavarian Football Association, although being just a subordinate state association to the superior Southern German Football Association, runs theRegionalliga Bayern, by far the largest single state football association in Germany.
As an exception to the regular promotion rules within the German league system, not all champions of each Regionalliga division are granted automatic promotion.Instead only the Regionalliga West and Southwest each provide a fixed direct promotion. Another direct promotion place is assigned according to a rotation principle among the Regionalliga Nord, Nordost, and Bayern champions. The representatives from the remaining two Regionalligen determine the fourth promoted club in two-legged playoffs.
TheNorthern German Football Association league system is the regional association league system in the states ofBremen,Hamburg,Lower Saxony andSchleswig-Holstein and starts at level four of the German league system with theRegionalliga Nord on top. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the four otherRegionalliga divisions and theRegionalliga Südwest runner-up for three promotions to the3. Liga.
Below the regional association's league system, the four state association league systems of theBremen Football Association, theHamburg Football Association, theLower Saxony Football Association and theSchleswig-Holstein Football Association work as feeders to the Regionalliga.
TheNortheastern German Football Association league system is the regional association league system in the states ofBerlin,Brandenburg,Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania,Saxony,Saxony-Anhalt andThuringia and starts at level four of the German league system with theRegionalliga Nordost on top. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the four otherRegionalliga divisions and theRegionalliga Südwest runner-up for three promotions to the3. Liga.
Below the regional association's league system, the six state association league systems of theBerlin Football Association, theBrandenburg State Football Association, theMecklenburg-Vorpommern State Football Association, theSaxony Football Association, theSaxony-Anhalt Football Association and theThuringian Football Association work as feeders to the Oberliga.
TheWestern German Football Association league system is the regional association league system in the state ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia and starts at level four of the German league system with theRegionalliga West on top. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the four otherRegionalliga divisions and theRegionalliga Südwest runner-up for three promotions to the3. Liga.
Below the regional association's league system, the three state association league systems of theLower Rhine Football Association, theMiddle Rhine Football Association and theWestphalian Football and Athletics Association work as feeders to the Regionalliga.
TheSouthwestern Regional Football Association league system is the regional association league system in the states ofRhineland-Palatinate andSaarland and starts at level four of the German league system with theRegionalliga Südwest on top, which is held under joint jurisdiction along with theSouthern German Football Association. The champions and the runner-up enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the four otherRegionalliga divisions for three promotions to the3. Liga. By rule, the champions and the runner-up will not face each other in the promotion playoffs.
Below the regional association's league system, the three state associations league systems of theRhineland Football Association, theSaarland Football Association and theSouthwest German Football Association work as feeders to the Oberliga.
TheSouthern German Football Association league system is the regional association league system in the states ofBaden-Württemberg,Bavaria andHessen and starts at level four of the German league system with theRegionalliga Südwest, which is held under joint jurisdiction along with theRegional Football Association South West respectively with theRegionalliga Bayern. The champions and the runner-up of theRegionalliga Südwest and the champions of theRegionalliga Bayern enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the three otherRegionalliga divisions for three promotions to the3. Liga.
Below the regional association's league system, the five state association league systems of theBaden Football Association, theBavarian Football Association, theHessian Football Association, theSouth Baden Football Association and theWürttembergian Football Association work as feeders to the Regionalliga.
 | This article needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(May 2025) |
Mostly in line with the geographical borders of the 16 Germanstates, amateur football is organised by 21state football associations. Therefore, 13 states, these beingBavaria,Berlin,Brandenburg,Bremen,Hamburg,Hesse,Lower Saxony,Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania,Saarland,Saxony,Saxony-Anhalt,Schleswig-Holstein andThuringia have a state football association with a jurisdiction covering the whole area of the corresponding political entity.
Three states are subdivided into more than one state football association. The state ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia is subdivided into three state associations, these being Middle Rhine, Lower Rhine and Westphalia. The state ofBaden-Württemberg is also subdivided into three state associations, these being Baden, South Baden and Württemberg. Finally, the state ofRhineland-Palatinate is subdivided into two state associations, these being Rhineland and Southwest.[4]
Starting on levels four to six of the German football league system, each of these 21 state associations runs a league pyramid under its own jurisdiction. The state association of Bavaria starts its pyramid at level four. The top divisions of the state associations of Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Middle Rhine, Lower Rhine, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Westphalia sit at level five of the pyramid. The pyramids of the remaining associations of Baden, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rhineland, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, South Baden, Southwest, Thuringia and Württemberg start at level six of the German football league system.
All state associations have full jurisdiction over their league pyramids, though the configuration varies in between states. A traditional state league pyramid had aVerbandsliga (Association League) as its top flight, followed by several divisions ofLandesliga (State League). Due to many structural reforms in the last decades, both on federal level and on state levels, this structure has become more indeterminate. Currently, eight of the 21 state associations (Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Middle Rhine, Lower Rhine, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Westphalia) have anOberliga (English: Premier League) as their top amateur state division, some followed by a Verbandsliga, some directly by a Landesliga. Starting in 2012, the state association of Bavaria organized its ownRegionalliga (Regional League), a league formerly only organized by the superiorregional associations.[5]
With the exception of Berlin and Hamburg, all other state associations usually supervise several county and/or district associations. The county associations usually cover the area of agovernment district, whereas the district associations have jurisdiction for the territory of anurban district. The associations of Bavaria, Bremen, Lower Saxony and the Southwest are initially subdivided into several county associations, the latter are then subdivided into district associations. The associations of South Baden and Württemberg have several county associations following in the league system, but no district associations. The remaining associations (Baden, Brandenburg, Hesse, Lower Rhine, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Middle Rhine, Rhineland, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia and Westphalia) are directly subdivided into district associations. The county associations usually run a single division, theBezirksliga (County League) under their jurisdiction, then followed by the district associations' top flightsKreisliga (District League). State associations that are directly subdivided into district associations, typically run the Bezirksliga themselves. In Hesse, the Bezirksliga is called theGruppenliga (Group League).
TheSchleswig-Holstein Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofSchleswig-Holstein and starts at level five of the German league system with theOberliga Schleswig-Holstein on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions are Eutin 08. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with theBremen-Liga champions, theOberliga Hamburg champions and theNiedersachsenliga runner-up for two promotions to theRegionalliga Nord.
Below the state association league system 12 district associations work as feeders to the Verbandsliga. In the 2017–18 season, the full system comprises 61 divisions having 861 teams.[6] Additionally, four teams play above the state association league system:Holstein Kiel (2. Bundesliga), Eutin 08,SC Weiche Flensburg 08 andVfB Lübeck (allRegionalliga Nord).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
5 | Oberliga Schleswig-Holstein –16 teams |
6 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
7 | 4 divisions ofVerbandsliga –64 teams |
↓ relegation to Kiel, Herzogtum Lauenburg, Lübeck, Neumünster, Nordfriesland, Ostholstein, Plön, Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Schleswig-Flensburg, Segeberg, Stormarn or Westküste (Dithmarschen-Steinburg) district FA league systems | |
8 | 8 divisions ofKreisliga –128 teams |
9 | 12 divisions ofKreisklasse A –168 teams |
10 | 16 divisions ofKreisklasse B –224 teams |
11 | 18 divisions ofKreisklasse C –229 teams |
TheHamburg Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofHamburg and parts of southern Schleswig-Holstein and northeastern Lower Saxony and it starts at level five of the German league system with theOberliga Hamburg on top. The 2021–22 season champions wereTuS Dassendorf. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with theBremen-Liga champions, theOberliga Schleswig-Holstein champions and theNiedersachsenliga runner-up for two promotions to theRegionalliga Nord.
As the state of Hamburg consists only of the city of Hamburg itself, there are no local associations below.[7] In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 30 divisions having 453 teams.[8] Additionally, six teams play above the state association league system:Hamburger SV (Bundesliga),FC St. Pauli (2. Bundesliga),Altona 93, Hamburger SV II, FC St. Pauli II andFC Eintracht Norderstedt 03 (allRegionalliga Nord).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
5 | Oberliga Hamburg –18 teams |
6 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
7 | 4 divisions ofBezirksliga –63 teams |
8 | 8 divisions ofKreisliga –120 teams |
9 | 8 divisions ofKreisklasse A –122 teams |
10 | 7 divisions ofKreisklasse B –98 teams |
TheLower Saxony Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofLower Saxony and starts at level five of the German league system with theNiedersachsenliga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions are SSV Jeddeloh. The champions are directly promoted toRegionalliga Nord, whereas the runner-up enters a promotion playoff along with theBremen-Liga champions and theOberliga Hamburg champions and theOberliga Schleswig-Holstein champions for two additional promotions.
Below the state association league system four county associations and following them 43 district associations work as feeders to the Oberliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 295 divisions having 4,022 teams.[9] Additionally, 16 teams play above the state association league system:Hannover 96 andVfL Wolfsburg (Bundesliga),Eintracht Braunschweig (2. Bundesliga),SV Meppen andVfL Osnabrück (3. Liga),Lüneburger SK Hansa,TSV Havelse, VfL Wolfsburg II, Hannover 96 II,1. FC Germania Egestorf/Langreder,Schwarz-Weiß Rehden,VfB Oldenburg, SSV Jeddeloh,SV Drochtersen/Assel,VfV 06 Hildesheim and Eintracht Braunschweig II (allRegionalliga Nord).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
↑1 promotion spot + 1 promotion playoff spot to Regionalliga Nord | |
5 | Niedersachsenliga –16 teams |
↓ relegation to Braunschweig, Hanover, Lüneburg or Weser-Ems county FA league systems | |
6 | 4 divisions ofLandesliga –68 teams |
7 | 17 divisions ofBezirksliga –274 teams |
↓ relegation to Ammerland, Aurich, Bentheim, Braunschweig, Celle, Cloppenburg, Cuxhaven, Diepholz, Emden, Emsland, Friesland, Gifhorn, Göttingen-Osterode, Hamelin-Pyrmont, Hanover, Hanover region, Harburg, Heidekreis, Helmstedt, Hildesheim, Holzminden, Leer, Lüchow-Dannenberg, Lüneburg, Nienburg, Nordharz, Northeim-Einbeck, Oldenburg, Oldenburg region/Delmenhorst, Osnabrück, Osnabrück region, Osterholz, Peine, Rotenburg, Schaumburg, Stade, Uelzen, Vechta, Verden, Wesermarsch, Wilhelmshaven, Wittmund or Wolfsburg district FA league systems | |
8 | 42 divisions ofKreisliga –634 teams |
9 | 57 divisions of1. Kreisklasse –837 teams |
10 | 65 divisions of2. Kreisklasse –879 teams |
11 | 67 divisions of3. Kreisklasse –831 teams |
12 | 38 divisions of4. Kreisklasse –448 teams |
13 | 4 divisions of5. Kreisklasse –35 teams |
TheBremen Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofBremen and starts at level five of the German league system with theBremen-Liga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areBremer SV. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with theOberliga Hamburg champions, theOberliga Schleswig-Holstein champions and theNiedersachsenliga runner-up for two promotions to theRegionalliga Nord.
Below the state association league system one county association and following it two district associations work as feeders to the Landesliga.[10] In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 11 divisions having 148 teams.[11] Additionally, two teams play above the state association league system:SV Werder Bremen (Bundesliga) and SV Werder Bremen II (3. Liga).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
5 | Bremen-Liga –16 teams |
6 | Landesliga –16 teams |
↓ relegation to Bremen county FA league systems | |
7 | Bezirksliga –16 teams |
↓ relegation to Bremen city or Bremerhaven district FA league systems | |
8 | 2 divisions ofKreisliga A –26 teams |
9 | Kreisliga B –16 teams |
10 | Kreisliga C –16 teams |
11 | 2 divisions of1. Kreisklasse –22 teams |
12 | 2. Kreisklasse –10 teams |
13 | 3. Kreisklasse –10 teams |
TheMecklenburg-Vorpommern State Football Association league system in the state association league systems in the state ofMecklenburg-Western Pomerania and starts at level six of the German league system with theVerbandsliga Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on top. The current (2020–21 season) champions areFC Mecklenburg Schwerin. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Nordost.
Below the state association league system six district associations work as feeders to the Landesklasse. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 37 divisions having 487 teams.[12] Additionally, seven teams play above the state association league system:Hansa Rostock (3. Liga),TSG Neustrelitz (Regionalliga Nordost), Hansa Rostock II,FC Anker Wismar,Malchower SV,FC Mecklenburg Schwerin and Torgelower FC Greif (allOberliga Nordost).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Verbandsliga Mecklenburg-Vorpommern –16 teams |
7 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
8 | 4 divisions ofLandesklasse –64 teams |
↓ relegation to Mecklenburger Seenplatte-Vorpommern, North Vorpommern-Rügen, Schwerin-Northwestern Mecklenburg, Vorpommern-Greifswald, Warnow or West Mecklenburg district FA league systems | |
9 | 7 divisions ofKreisoberliga –94 teams |
10 | 12 divisions ofKreisliga –147 teams |
11 | 7 divisions of1. Kreisklasse –91 teams |
12 | 2. Kreisklasse –12 teams |
TheBrandenburg State Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofBrandenburg and starts at level six of the German league system with theBrandenburg-Liga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areVfB Krieschow. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Nordost.
Below the state association league system eight district associations work as feeders to the Landesklasse. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 64 divisions having 871 teams.[13] Additionally, 11 teams play above the state association league system:SV Babelsberg 03,FC Energie Cottbus,FSV 63 Luckenwalde andFSV Union Fürstenwalde (allRegionalliga Nordost),SV Grün-Weiß Brieselang,Brandenburger SC Süd 05,SV Altlüdersdorf,FSV Optik Rathenow, VfB Krieschow,SV Victoria Seelow andFC Strausberg (allOberliga Nordost).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Brandenburg-Liga –16 teams |
7 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
8 | 4 divisions ofLandesklasse –64 teams |
↓ relegation to Dahme/Flaming, East Brandenburg, Havelland, Lower Lusatia, Oberhavel/Barnim, Prignitz/Ruppin, South Brandenburg or Uckermark district FA league systems | |
9 | 8 divisions ofKreisoberliga –123 teams |
10 | 15 divisions ofKreisliga –225 teams |
11 | 17 divisions of1. Kreisklasse –226 teams |
12 | 17 divisions of2. Kreisklasse –185 teams |
TheBerlin Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofBerlin and starts at level six of the German league system with theBerlin-Liga on top. The current (2022-23 season) champions areSV Sparta Lichtenberg. The champions are directly promoted toNOFV-Oberliga Nord. Within the BFA, main and Reserve teams (Addressed as II, III, IV, V etc.) are allowed to play in the same rank up to Landesliga but will be grouped separate. When the main team is being overtaken by a reserve team by promotion, the teams switch the names for the following season.
As the state of Berlin consists only of the city of Berlin itself, there are no local associations below. The full system comprises 23 divisions having 358 teams.[14] Additionally, as of the 2022-23 season, 15 teams play above the state association league system:1. FC Union Berlin (Bundesliga),Hertha BSC (2. Bundesliga),Hertha BSC II,VSG Altglienicke,FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin,BFC Dynamo,Berliner AK 07 (Regionalliga Nordost),SV Lichtenberg 47,Tennis Borussia Berlin,FC Hertha 03 Zehlendorf,SC Staaken,SV Tasmania Berlin,CFC Hertha 06,SFC Stern 1900 andSV Sparta Lichtenberg (NOFV-Oberliga Nord)
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Berlin-Liga –18 teams |
7 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
8 | 3 divisions ofBezirksliga –48 teams |
9 | 4 divisions ofKreisliga A –64 teams |
10 | 5 divisions ofKreisliga B –80 teams |
11 | 8 divisions ofKreisliga C –116 teams |
TheSaxony-Anhalt Football Association league system is the association league systems in the state ofSaxony-Anhalt and starts at level six of the German league system with theVerbandsliga Sachsen-Anhalt on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions are1. FC Lok Stendal. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Nordost.
Below the state association league system 14 district associations work as feeders to the Landesklasse. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 72 divisions having 974 teams.[15] Additionally, eight teams play above the state association league system:1. FC Magdeburg andHallescher FC (3. Liga),VfB Germania Halberstadt (Regionalliga Nordost),SV Merseburg 99,VfL Halle 96,Askania Bernburg,Union Sandersdorf and 1. FC Lok Stendal (allOberliga Nordost).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Verbandsliga Sachsen-Anhalt –16 teams |
7 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
8 | 6 divisions ofLandesklasse –96 teams |
↓ relegation to Altmark East, Altmark West, Anhalt, Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Börde, Burgenland, Halle, Harz, Jerichower Land, Magdeburg, Mansfeld-Südharz, Saalekreis, Salzland or Wittenberg district FA league systems | |
9 | 14 divisions ofKreisoberliga –211 teams |
10 | 18 divisions ofKreisliga –252 teams |
11 | 20 divisions of1. Kreisklasse –241 teams |
12 | 11 divisions of2. Kreisklasse –126 teams |
TheThuringian Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofThuringia and starts at level six of the German league system with theThüringenliga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areFSV Wacker 90 Nordhausen II (not promoted). The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Nordost.
Below the state association league system nine district associations work as feeders to the Landesklasse. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 75 divisions having 949 teams.[16] Additionally, seven teams play above the state association league system:FC Carl Zeiss Jena andRot-Weiß Erfurt (3. Liga),ZFC Meuselwitz andFSV Wacker 90 Nordhausen (Regionalliga Nordost), FC Carl Zeiss Jena II,Einheit Rudolstadt andBSG Wismut Gera (allOberliga Nordost).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Thüringenliga –16 teams |
7 | 3 divisions ofLandesklasse –48 teams |
↓ relegation to Central Thuringia, East Thuringia, Eichsfeld-Unstrut-Hainich, Erfurt-Sömmerda, Jena-Saale-Orla, North Thuringia, Rhön-Rennsteig, South Thuringia or West Thuringia district FA league systems | |
8 | 9 divisions ofKreisoberliga –130 teams |
9 | 17 divisions ofKreisliga –239 teams |
10 | 25 divisions of1. Kreisklasse –322 teams |
11 | 20 divisions of2. Kreisklasse –194 teams |
TheSaxony Football Association league system is the association league system in the state ofSaxony and starts at level six of the German league system with theSachsenliga on top. The current (2023–24 season) champions areSG Taucha 99. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Nordost. Below the state association league system 13 district associations work as feeders to the Sachsenklasse.
14 teams play above the state association league system:RB Leipzig (Bundesliga),FC Erzgebirge Aue andDynamo Dresden (3. Liga),Chemnitzer FC,FSV Zwickau,1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig,VFC Plauen,BSG Chemie Leipzig andFC Eilenburg (allRegionalliga Nordost),Bischofswerdaer FV 08,VfB Auerbach,SC Freital,Budissa Bautzen, andFC Grimma (allOberliga Nordost).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Sachsenliga –16 teams |
7 | 3 divisions ofSachsenklasse – 48teams |
↓ relegation to Central Saxony, Chemnitz, Dresden, Erzgebirge, Leipzig, Meissen, Muldental/Leipzig region, North Saxony, Sächsische Schweiz/Osterzgebirge, Upper Lusatia, Vogtland, West Lusatia or Zwickau district FA league systems | |
8 | 13 divisions ofKreisoberliga –190 teams |
9 | 20 divisions ofKreisliga A –280 teams |
10 | 10 divisions ofKreisliga B –129 teams |
11 | Kreisliga C –14 teams |
12 | 27 divisions of1. Kreisklasse –327 teams |
13 | 17 divisions of2. Kreisklasse –187 teams |
14 | 3. Kreisklasse –14 teams |
TheLower Rhine Football Association league system is one of three state association league systems in the state ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia, covering its northwestern part, and starts at level five of the German league system with theOberliga Niederrhein on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areKFC Uerdingen 05. The champions are directly promoted toRegionalliga West.
Below the state association league system 13 district associations work as feeders to the Bezirksliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 91 divisions having 1,476 teams.[17] Additionally, nine teams play above the state association league system:Borussia Mönchengladbach (Bundesliga),Fortuna Düsseldorf (2. Bundesliga),MSV Duisburg (3. Liga), ( Borussia Mönchengladbach II,Rot-Weiß Oberhausen,Rot-Weiss Essen, Fortuna Düsseldorf II, KFC Uerdingen 05 andWuppertaler SV (allRegionalliga West).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
5 | Oberliga Niederrhein –18 teams |
6 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –36 teams |
7 | 7 divisions ofBezirksliga –108 teams |
↓ relegation to Duisburg-Mülheim-Dinslaken, Düsseldorf, Essen, Grevenbroich-Neuss, Kempen-Krefeld, Kleve-Geldern, Moers, Mönchengladbach-Viersen, Oberhausen-Bottrop, Rees-Bocholt, Remscheid, Solingen or Wuppertal-Niederberg district FA league systems | |
8 | 15 divisions ofKreisliga A –255 teams |
9 | 29 divisions ofKreisliga B –473 teams |
10 | 38 divisions ofKreisliga C –586 teams |
TheMiddle Rhine Football Association league system is one of three state association league systems in the state ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia, covering its southwestern part, and starts at level five of the German league system with theMittelrheinliga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areFC Wegberg-Beeck. The champions are directly promoted toRegionalliga West.
Below the state association league system nine district associations work as feeders to the Bezirksliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 92 divisions having 1,348 teams.[18] Additionally, eight teams play above the state association league system:Bayer Leverkusen and1. FC Köln (Bundesliga),FC Viktoria Köln (3. Liga),Alemannia Aachen, 1. FC Köln II,SC Fortuna Köln,Bonner SC and FC Wegberg-Beeck (allRegionalliga West).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
5 | Mittelrheinliga –16 teams |
6 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
7 | 4 divisions ofBezirksliga –63 teams |
↓ relegation to Aachen, Berg, Bonn, Cologne, Düren, Euskirchen, Heinsberg, Rhein-Erft or Sieg district FA league systems | |
8 | 9 divisions ofKreisliga A –140 teams |
9 | 20 divisions ofKreisliga B –310 teams |
10 | 35 divisions ofKreisliga C –493 teams |
11 | 21 divisions ofKreisliga D –294 teams |
TheWestphalian Football and Athletics Association league system is one of three state association league systems in the state ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia, covering its eastern part, and starts at level five of the German league system with theOberliga Westfalen on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areTuS Erndtebrück. The champions and the runner-up are directly promoted toRegionalliga West.
Below the state association league system 29 district associations work as feeders to the Bezirksliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 214 divisions having 3,231 teams. Additionally, 14 teams play above the state association league system:Borussia Dortmund andVfl Bochum (Bundesliga),Arminia Bielefeld andFC Schalke 04 (2. Bundesliga),Sportfreunde Lotte,Preußen Münster andSC Paderborn 07 (all3. Liga), Borussia Dortmund II,TuS Erndtebrück,SC Verl,SC Wiedenbrück 2000,SV Rödinghausen,Westfalia Rhynern andSG Wattenscheid 09 (allRegionalliga West).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
5 | Oberliga Westfalen –18 teams |
6 | 2 divisions ofWestfalenliga –32 teams |
7 | 4 divisions ofLandesliga –64 teams |
8 | 12 divisions ofBezirksliga –194 teams |
↓ relegation to Ahaus-Coesfeld, Arnsberg, Beckum, Bielefeld, Bochum, Detmold, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Gütersloh, Hagen, Herford, Herne, Hochsauerlandkreis, Höxter, Iserlohn, Lemgo, Lippstadt, Lübbecke, Lüdenscheid, Minden, Münster, Olpe, Paderborn, Recklinghausen, Siegen-Wittgenstein, Soest, Steinfurt, Tecklenburg or Unna-Hamm district FA league systems | |
9 | 39 divisions ofKreisliga A –629 teams |
10 | 57 divisions ofKreisliga B –909 teams |
11 | 79 divisions ofKreisliga C –1,110 teams |
12 | 20 divisions ofKreisliga D –275 teams |
TheRhineland Football Association league system is one of two state association league systems in the state ofRhineland-Palatinate, covering its northern part, and starts at level six of the German league system with theRheinlandliga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areFV Engers 07. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar.
Below the state association league system nine district associations work as feeders to the Bezirksliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 70 divisions having 916 teams.[19] Additionally, six teams play above the state association league system:TuS Koblenz (Regionalliga Südwest), FV Engers 07,FC Karbach,TuS Rot-Weiss Koblenz,FSV Salmrohr andEintracht Trier (allOberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar).
Level | Division | ||
|---|---|---|---|
6 | Rheinlandliga –19 teams | ||
7 | 3 divisions ofBezirksliga –47 teams | ||
↓ relegation to Eifel, Hunsrück/Mosel, Koblenz, Mosel, Rhein/Ahr, Rhein/Lahr, Trier/Saarburg, Westerwald/Sieg or Westerwald/Wied district FA league systems | |||
8 | 9 divisions ofKreisliga A –130 teams | ||
9 | 16 divisions ofKreisliga B –224 teams | ||
10 | 20 divisions ofKreisliga C –260 teams | ||
11 | 21 divisions ofKreisliga D –236 teams | ||
TheSouth West German Football Association league system is one of two state association league systems in the state ofRhineland-Palatinate, covering its southern part, and starts at level six of the German league system with theVerbandsliga Südwest on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areFV Dudenhofen. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar.
Below the state association league system 10 district associations work as feeders to the Bezirksliga.[20] In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 67 divisions having 1,042 teams.[21] Additionally, 14 teams play above the state association league system:1. FSV Mainz 05 (Bundesliga),1. FC Kaiserslautern (2. Bundesliga),Wormatia Worms, 1. FSV Mainz 05 II andTSV Schott Mainz (allRegionalliga Südwest),SV Morlautern,SC 07 Idar-Oberstein, 1. FC Kaiserslautern II,FK Pirmasens,TSG Pfeddersheim,SV Gonsenheim,TuS Mechtersheim,Arminia Ludwigshafen andFV Dudenhofen (allOberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Verbandsliga Südwest –16 teams |
7 | 2 divisions ofLandesliga –32 teams |
8 | 4 divisions ofBezirksliga –66 teams |
↓ relegation to Alzey-Worms, Bad Kreuznach, Birkenfeld, Kaiserslautern-Donnersberg, Kusel-Kaiserslautern, Mainz-Bingen, Pirmasens/Zweibrücken, Rhine-Middle Haardt, Rhine-Palatinate and South Palatinate district FA league systems | |
9 | 10 divisions ofA-Klasse –160 teams |
10 | 20 divisions ofB-Klasse –317 teams |
11 | 27 divisions ofC-Klasse –403 teams |
12 | 3 divisions ofD-Klasse –48 teams |
TheSaarland Football Association league system is the association league system in the state ofSaarland and starts at level six of the German league system with theSaarlandliga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areFV Eppelborn. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar.
Below the state association league system four district associations work as feeders to the Bezirksliga.[22] In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 40 divisions having 587 teams.[23] Additionally, nine teams play above the state association league system:1. FC Saarbrücken,SV Röchling Völklingen andSV Elversberg (allRegionalliga Südwest),SV Saar 05 Saarbrücken,FC Hertha Wiesbach,FSV Jägersburg,FV Diefflen, FV Eppelborn andFC 08 Homburg (allOberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
6 | Saarlandliga –18 teams |
7 | 2 divisions ofVerbandsliga –32 teams |
8 | 4 divisions ofLandesliga –64 teams |
9 | 6 divisions ofBezirksliga –97 teams |
↓ relegation to East Saar, North Saar, South Saar or West Saar district FA league systems | |
10 | 15 divisions ofKreisliga A –226 teams |
11 | 12 divisions ofKreisliga B –150 teams |
TheHessian Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofHesse and starts at level five of the German league system with theHessenliga on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areSC Hessen Dreieich (not promoted). The champions are directly promoted toRegionalliga Südwest.
Below the state association league system six county associations and following them 32 district associations work as feeders to the Verbandsliga.[24] In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 165 divisions having 2,526 teams.[25] Additionally, eight teams play above the state association league system:Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga),SV Darmstadt 98 (2. Bundesliga),SV Wehen-Wiesbaden (3. Liga),FSV Frankfurt,KSV Hessen Kassel,Kickers Offenbach,TSV Steinbach andTSV Eintracht Stadtallendorf (allRegionalliga Südwest).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
5 | Hessenliga –17 teams |
6 | 3 divisions ofVerbandsliga –51 teams |
↓ relegation to Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Fulda, Giessen/Marburg, Kassel or Wiesbaden county FA league systems | |
7 | 8 divisions ofGruppenliga –131 teams |
↓ relegation to Alsfeld, Bergstraße, Biedenkopf, Büdingen, Darmstadt, Dieburg, Dillenburg, Frankenberg, Frankfurt, Friedberg, Fulda, Gelnhausen, Giessen, Groß-Gerau, Hanau, Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Hochtaunus, Hofgeismar-Wolfhagen, Kassel, Lauterbach-Hünfeld, Limburg-Weilburg, Maintaunus, Marburg, Odenwald, Offenbach, Rheingau-Taunus, Schlüchtern, Schwalm-Eder, Waldeck, Werra/Meißner, Wetzlar or Wiesbaden district FA league systems | |
8 | 25 divisions ofKreisoberliga –405 teams |
9 | 38 divisions ofKreisliga A –604 teams |
10 | 49 divisions ofKreisliga B –732 teams |
11 | 32 divisions ofKreisliga C –460 teams |
12 | 9 divisions ofKreisliga D –126 teams |
TheBaden Football Association league system is one of three state association league systems in the state ofBaden-Württemberg, covering its northwestern part, and starts at level six of the German league system with theVerbandsliga Nordbaden on top. The current (2021–22 season) champions are ATSV Mutschelbach. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Baden-Württemberg, whereas the runner-up enters a promotion playoff along with theVerbandsliga Südbaden runner-up and theVerbandsliga Württemberg runner-up for one additional promotion.
Below the state association league system nine district associations league systems work as feeders to the Landesliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 57 divisions having 818 teams.[26] Additionally, 13 teams play above the state association league system:TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Bundesliga),SV Sandhausen (2. Bundesliga),Karlsruher SC (3. Liga), 1899 Hoffenheim II,SV Waldhof Mannheim andFC Astoria Walldorf (allRegionalliga Südwest), Karlsruher SC II,FC Nöttingen,1. CfR Pforzheim,SV Sandhausen II,SV Spielberg, FC Astoria Walldorf II and TSG Weinheim (allOberliga Baden-Württemberg).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
↑1 promotion spot + 1 promotion playoff spot to Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | |
6 | Verbandsliga Nordbaden –15 teams |
7 | 3 divisions ofLandesliga –48 teams |
↓ relegation to Bruchsal, Buchen, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Mosbach, Pforzheim, Sinsheim or Tauberbischofsheim district FA league systems | |
8 | 9 divisions ofKreisliga –140 teams |
9 | 12 divisions ofKreisklasse A –187 teams |
10 | 16 divisions ofKreisklasse B –239 teams |
11 | 16 divisions ofKreisklasse C –188 teams |
TheSouth Baden Football Association league system is one of three state association league systems in the state ofBaden-Württemberg, covering its southwestern part, and starts at level six of the German league system with theVerbandsliga Südbaden on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions areFC 08 Villingen. The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Baden-Württemberg, whereas the runner-up enters a promotion playoff along with theVerbandsliga Baden runner-up and theVerbandsliga Württemberg runner-up for one additional promotion.
Below the state association league system six county associations work as feeders to the Landesliga.[27] In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 81 divisions having 1,146 teams.[28] Additionally, six teams play above the state association league system:SC Freiburg (Bundesliga), SC Freiburg II (Regionalliga Südwest),Bahlinger SC,TSG Balingen,SV Oberachern andFC 08 Villingen (allOberliga Baden-Württemberg).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
↑1 promotion spot + 1 promotion playoff spot to Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | |
6 | Verbandsliga Südbaden –16 teams |
7 | 3 divisions ofLandesliga –49 teams |
↓ relegation to Baden-Baden, Black Forest, Bodensee, Freiburg, Hochrhein or Offenburg county FA league systems | |
8 | 6 divisions ofBezirksliga –99 teams |
9 | 13 divisions ofKreisliga A –207 teams |
10 | 32 divisions ofKreisliga B –445 teams |
11 | 26 divisions ofKreisliga C –327 teams |
TheWürttembergian Football Association league system is one of three state association league systems in the state ofBaden-Württemberg, covering its southeastern part, and starts at level six of the German league system with theVerbandsliga Württemberg on top. The current (2022-23 season) champions areTSV Essingen.[29] The champions are directly promoted toOberliga Baden-Württemberg, whereas the runner-up enters a promotion playoff along with theVerbandsliga Baden runner-up and theVerbandsliga Südbaden runner-up for one additional promotion.[30]
Below the state association league system 16 county associations work as feeders to the Landesliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 146 divisions having 2,053 teams.[31] Additionally, 13 teams play above the state association league system:VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga),1. FC Heidenheim (2. Bundesliga),VfR Aalen andSG Sonnenhof Großaspach (3. Liga), VfB Stuttgart II,Stuttgarter Kickers andSSV Ulm 1846 Fußball (Regionalliga Südwest),TSG Backnang 1919,FSV 08 Bissingen, SGV Freiberg,SV Göppingen,Neckarsulmer SU andSSV Reutlingen 05 (allOberliga Baden-Württemberg).
Level | Division | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
↑1 promotion spot + 1 promotion playoff spot to Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | ||||
6 | Verbandsliga Württemberg –16 teams | |||
7 | 4 divisions ofLandesliga –64 teams | |||
↓ relegation to Alb, Black Forest, Böblingen/Calw, Bodensee, Danube, Danube/Iller, Enz/Murr, Hohenlohe, Kocher/Rems, Neckar/Fils, Northern Black Forest, Rems/Murr, Riß, Stuttgart, Unterland or Zollern county FA league systems | ||||
8 | 16 divisions ofBezirksliga –254 teams | |||
9 | 40 divisions ofKreisliga A –597 teams | |||
10 | 77 divisions ofKreisliga B –1,037 teams | |||
11 | 8 divisions ofKreisliga C –85 teams | |||
TheBavarian Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state ofBavaria and starts at level four of the league system with theRegionalliga Bayern on top. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with theRegionalliga Nord champions, theRegionalliga Nordost champions, theRegionalliga Südwest champions and runner-up and theRegionalliga West champions for three promotions to the3. Liga. The current (2016–17 season) champions areSpVgg Unterhaching.
Below the state association league system seven county associations and following them 24 district associations work as feeders to the Landesliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 442 divisions having 6,054 teams.[32] Additionally, nine teams play above the state association league system:FC Bayern Munich andFC Augsburg (allBundesliga),SpVgg Greuther Fürth,FC Ingolstadt,SSV Jahn Regensburg and1. FC Nürnberg (all2. Bundesliga), SpVgg Unterhaching,TSV 1860 Munich andWürzburger Kickers (all3. Liga).
Level | Division |
|---|---|
4 | Regionalliga Bayern –19 teams |
5 | 2 divisions ofBayernliga –37 teams |
6 | 5 divisions ofLandesliga –87 teams |
↓ relegation to Middle Franconia, Lower Bavaria, Upper Bavaria, Upper Franconia, Upper Palatinate, Swabia and Lower Franconia county FA league systems | |
7 | 15 divisions ofBezirksliga –244 teams |
↓ relegation to Allgäu, Amberg/Weiden, Aschaffenburg, Augsburg, Bamberg/Bayreuth, Bavarian Forest, Cham/Schwandorf, Coburg/Kronach, Danube, Danube/Isar, Erlangen/Pegnitzgrund, Hof/Marktredwitz, Inn/Salzach, Landshut, Munich, Neumarkt/Jura, Nuremberg/Frankenhöhe, Passau, Regensburg, Rhön, Schweinfurt, Straubing, Würzburg and Zugspitze district FA league systems | |
8 | 43 divisions ofKreisliga –633 teams |
9 | 92 divisions ofKreisklasse –1,296 teams |
10 | 129 divisions ofA-Klasse –1,787 teams |
11 | 128 divisions ofB-Klasse –1,618 teams |
12 | 27 divisions ofC-Klasse –335 teams |
| League competitions | |
|---|---|
| Cup competitions | |
| National teams | |
| By city | |
| Awards | |
| Defunct | |
