The German football league system, or league pyramid, refers to the hierarchically interconnected

league system A league system is a hierarchy of sports league, leagues in a sport. They are often called pyramids, due to their tendency to split into an increasing number of regional divisions further down the system. League systems of some sort are used in ma ...

for association football in Germany that in the 2016–17

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

consisted of 2,235 leagues in up to 13 levels having 31,645

teams A team is a group of individuals (human or non-human) working together to achieve their goal. As defined by Professor Leigh Thompson (academic), Leigh Thompson of the Kellogg School of Management, " team is a group of people who are interd ...

, in which all

divisions Division may refer to: Mathematics *Division (mathematics), the inverse of multiplication * Division algorithm, a method for computing the result of mathematical division Military *Division (military), a formation typically consisting of 10,000 t ...

are bound together by the principle of

promotion and relegation Promotion and relegation is used by sports leagues as a process where teams can move up and down among divisions in a league system, based on their performance over a season. Leagues that use promotion and relegation systems are sometimes call ...

. The top three

professional A professional is a member of a profession or any person who work (human activity), works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the partic ...

levels contain one division each. Below this, the

semi-professional Semi-professional sports are sports in which athletes are not participating on a full-time basis, but still receive some payment. Semi-professionals are not amateur because they receive regular payment from their team, but generally at a cons ...

and amateur 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 become

German football champions The German football champions are the annual winners of the highest association football competition in Germany. History The history of the German football championship is complex and reflects the turbulent history of the country through the co ...

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.

Structure

Germany

The ''German football league system'' is held under the jurisdiction of the nationwide

German Football Association The German Football Association ( ; DFB ) is the governing body of Association football, football, futsal, and beach soccer in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB has jurisdiction for the German football league system and ...

and its professional body

German Football League The German Football League (GFL) is a professional American football league in Germany. The league was formed in 1979. In 1999, the league changed to its current name from American-Football-Bundesliga.

, along with its five regional associations and their 21 state associations. On top of the system sits the level one 1. Bundesliga and the level two 2. Bundesliga, both organized by the professional German Football League. The two top flights are then followed by the level three

3. Liga The 3. Liga is a professional association football league and the third division in Germany. In the German football league system, it is positioned between the 2. Bundesliga and the fourth-tier Regionalliga. The modern 3. Liga was formed for t ...

, the lowest full professional division in Germany, organised by the German Football Association itself. The professional level four

Regionalliga A (, plural ) is a regional league in numerous Sports governing body, sports governing bodies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, usually located in the upper or middle tiers of the sports leagues. The term is often associated with the Germa ...

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 the

Northern German Football Association The Northern German Football Association (; ''NFV'') is one of the five regional associations of the German Football Association (; ''DFB'') and covers the four States of Germany, German states of Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Hols ...

, the

Northeastern German Football Association The Northeastern German Football Association (), the ''NOFV'', is one of five regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhal ...

, the

Western German Football Association The Western German Football Association (; ''WDFV'') is one of the five regional associations of the German Football Association (; ''DFB'') and covers States of Germany, German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Structure In 2017, the ''WDFV'' ...

, the Southwestern Regional Football Association and the

Southern German Football Association The Southern German Football Association (), the ''SFV'', is one of five regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse.Bavarian Football Association The Bavarian Football Association (), the ''BFV'', is one of 21 regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the state of Bavaria.Bundesliga The Bundesliga (; ), sometimes referred to as the Fußball-Bundesliga () or 1. Bundesliga (), is a professional association football league in Germany and the highest level of the German football league system. The Bundesliga comprises 18 teams ...

are crowned

. The bottom two Bundesliga teams are relegated to 2. 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 to

, 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 to

Regional association league systems

Whereas the professional first three levels of the ''German football league system'' each are single division only and are organised by nationwide governing bodies, the semi-professional level four

comprises five independent divisions, each run by different regional and/or state associations. Three regional bodies, being the

, the

North East German Football Association The Northeastern German Football Association (), the ''NOFV'', is one of five regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhal ...

and the

, each run a division under their sole jurisdiction, these being the corresponding

Regionalliga Nord The Regionalliga Nord () is the fourth tier of the German football league system in the states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen and Hamburg. It is one of five leagues at this level, together with the Regionalliga Bayern, Regionalliga N ...

, the

Regionalliga Nordost The Regionalliga Nordost is the fourth tier of German football league system, German football in the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Thuringia. These comprise the states of former East Germany ...

and the

Regionalliga West The Regionalliga West is a German professional football division administered by the German Football Association#Western Germany, Western German Football Association based in Duisburg. It is one of the five German regional football associations. ...

. The two regional bodies Southwestern Regional Football Association and

Southern German Football Association The Southern German Football Association (), the ''SFV'', is one of five regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse.Regionalliga Südwest The Regionalliga Südwest ('Regional League Southwest') is the fourth tier of the German football league system in the states of Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. It is one of five leagues at this level, together with t ...

. Finally, the

Bavarian Football Association The Bavarian Football Association (), the ''BFV'', is one of 21 regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the state of Bavaria.Regionalliga Bayern The Regionalliga Bayern () is the highest association football league in the state of Bavaria () and the Bavarian football league system. It is one of five Regionalligas in German football, the fourth tier of the German football league system, b ...

, 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. File:Karte-Norddeutscher-Fußball-Verband.png,

File:Karte-Nordostdeutscher-Fußball-Verband.png,

File:Karte-Westdeutscher-Fußball-Verband.png,

File:Karte-Südwestdeutscher-Fußball-Verband.png, Southwestern Regional Football Association File:Karte-Süddeutscher-Fußball-Verband.png,

Southern German Football Association The Southern German Football Association (), the ''SFV'', is one of five regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse.Northern German Football Association The Northern German Football Association (; ''NFV'') is one of the five regional associations of the German Football Association (; ''DFB'') and covers the four States of Germany, German states of Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Hols ...

league system is the regional association league system in the states of

Bremen Bremen (Low German also: ''Breem'' or ''Bräm''), officially the City Municipality of Bremen (, ), is the capital of the States of Germany, German state of the Bremen (state), Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (), a two-city-state consisting of the c ...

Hamburg Hamburg (, ; ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,. is the List of cities in Germany by population, second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, 7th-lar ...

Lower Saxony Lower Saxony is a States of Germany, German state (') in Northern Germany, northwestern Germany. It is the second-largest state by land area, with , and fourth-largest in population (8 million in 2021) among the 16 ' of the Germany, Federal Re ...

and

Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig-Holstein (; ; ; ; ; occasionally in English ''Sleswick-Holsatia'') is the Northern Germany, northernmost of the 16 states of Germany, comprising most of the historical Duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of S ...

and starts at level four of the German league system with the

on top. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the four other

divisions and the

Regionalliga Südwest The Regionalliga Südwest ('Regional League Southwest') is the fourth tier of the German football league system in the states of Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. It is one of five leagues at this level, together with t ...

runner-up for three promotions to the

. Below the regional association's league system, the four state association league systems of the Bremen Football Association, the Hamburg Football Association, the Lower Saxony Football Association and the Schleswig-Holstein Football Association work as feeders to the Regionalliga.

Northeastern Germany

The

league system is the regional association league system in the states of

Berlin Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

Brandenburg Brandenburg, officially the State of Brandenburg, is a States of Germany, state in northeastern Germany. Brandenburg borders Poland and the states of Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony. It is the List of Ger ...

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV; ; ), also known by its anglicized name Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania, is a state in the north-east of Germany. Of the country's sixteen states, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ranks 14th in population; it covers an are ...

Saxony Saxony, officially the Free State of Saxony, is a landlocked state of Germany, bordering the states of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Bavaria, as well as the countries of Poland and the Czech Republic. Its capital is Dresden, and ...

Saxony-Anhalt Saxony-Anhalt ( ; ) is a States of Germany, state of Germany, bordering the states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia and Lower Saxony. It covers an area of and has a population of 2.17 million inhabitants, making it the List of German states ...

and

Thuringia Thuringia (; officially the Free State of Thuringia, ) is one of Germany, Germany's 16 States of Germany, states. With 2.1 million people, it is 12th-largest by population, and with 16,171 square kilometers, it is 11th-largest in area. Er ...

and starts at level four of the German league system with the

on top. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the four other

divisions and the

runner-up for three promotions to the

. Below the regional association's league system, the six state association league systems of the Berlin Football Association, the Brandenburg State Football Association, the

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Football Association The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Football Association (, LFVMV), is the umbrella organization of the football clubs in the German state Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and covers the football districts of Mecklenburg Lake District, Vorpommern-Rüg ...

, the Saxony Football Association, the Saxony-Anhalt Football Association and the Thuringian Football Association work as feeders to the Oberliga.

Western Germany

The

league system is the regional association league system in the state of

North Rhine-Westphalia North Rhine-Westphalia or North-Rhine/Westphalia, commonly shortened to NRW, is a States of Germany, state () in Old states of Germany, Western Germany. With more than 18 million inhabitants, it is the List of German states by population, most ...

and starts at level four of the German league system with the

on top. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the four other

divisions and the

runner-up for three promotions to the

. Below the regional association's league system, the three state association league systems of the

Lower Rhine Football Association The Lower Rhine Football Association (, FVN) is the umbrella organization of football clubs in the German Lower Rhine region, and comprises 14 football districts. The FVN was founded in 1947 and has its headquarters in Duisburg. President of the F ...

, the

Middle Rhine Football Association The Middle Rhine Football Association (, FVM) is the umbrella organization of the football clubs in the German mid-Rhein area and covers the football districts of Aachen, Berg, Bonn, Düren, Euskirchen, Heinsberg, Cologne, Rhein-Erft-Kreis and ...

and the

Westphalian Football and Athletics Association The Westphalia Football and Athletics Association (, FLVW) is the umbrella organization of football and athletics clubs in the German Westphalia area, and comprises 29 districts. The FLVW was created in 1954 through the merger of the Football Assoc ...

work as feeders to the Regionalliga.

Southwestern Germany

The Southwestern Regional Football Association league system is the regional association league system in the states of

Rhineland-Palatinate Rhineland-Palatinate ( , ; ; ; ) is a western state of Germany. It covers and has about 4.05 million residents. It is the ninth largest and sixth most populous of the sixteen states. Mainz is the capital and largest city. Other cities are ...

and

Saarland Saarland (, ; ) is a state of Germany in the southwest of the country. With an area of and population of 990,509 in 2018, it is the smallest German state in area apart from the city-states of Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg, and the smallest in ...

and starts at level four of the German league system with the

on top, which is held under joint jurisdiction along with the

Southern German Football Association The Southern German Football Association (), the ''SFV'', is one of five regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse.Regionalliga A (, plural ) is a regional league in numerous Sports governing body, sports governing bodies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, usually located in the upper or middle tiers of the sports leagues. The term is often associated with the Germa ...

divisions for three promotions to the

. 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 the Rhineland Football Association, the Saarland Football Association and the Southwest German Football Association work as feeders to the Oberliga.

Southern Germany

The

Southern German Football Association The Southern German Football Association (), the ''SFV'', is one of five regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse.Baden-Württemberg Baden-Württemberg ( ; ), commonly shortened to BW or BaWü, is a states of Germany, German state () in Southwest Germany, east of the Rhine, which forms the southern part of Germany's western border with France. With more than 11.07 million i ...

Bavaria Bavaria, officially the Free State of Bavaria, is a States of Germany, state in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the list of German states by area, largest German state by land area, comprising approximately 1/5 of the total l ...

and

Hessen Hesse or Hessen ( ), officially the State of Hesse (), is a state in Germany. Its capital city is Wiesbaden, and the largest urban area is Frankfurt, which is also the country's principal financial centre. Two other major historic cities are Da ...

and starts at level four of the German league system with the

, which is held under joint jurisdiction along with the Regional Football Association South West respectively with the

Regionalliga Bayern The Regionalliga Bayern () is the highest association football league in the state of Bavaria () and the Bavarian football league system. It is one of five Regionalligas in German football, the fourth tier of the German football league system, b ...

. The champions and the runner-up of the

and the champions of the

enter a promotion playoff along with the winners of the three other

divisions for three promotions to the

. Below the regional association's league system, the five state association league systems of the Baden Football Association, the

Bavarian Football Association The Bavarian Football Association (), the ''BFV'', is one of 21 regional organisations of the German Football Association, the ''DFB'', and covers the state of Bavaria.Hessian Football Association, the South Baden Football Association and the Württembergian Football Association work as feeders to the Regionalliga.

State association league systems

Mostly in line with the geographical borders of the 16 German

states State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...

, amateur football is organised by 21 state football associations. Therefore, 13 states, these being

Hesse Hesse or Hessen ( ), officially the State of Hesse (), is a States of Germany, state in Germany. Its capital city is Wiesbaden, and the largest urban area is Frankfurt, which is also the country's principal financial centre. Two other major hist ...

and

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 of

is subdivided into three state associations, these being Middle Rhine, Lower Rhine and Westphalia. The state of

Baden-Württemberg Baden-Württemberg ( ; ), commonly shortened to BW or BaWü, is a states of Germany, German state () in Southwest Germany, east of the Rhine, which forms the southern part of Germany's western border with France. With more than 11.07 million i ...

is also subdivided into three state associations, these being Baden, South Baden and Württemberg. Finally, the state of

is subdivided into two state associations, these being Rhineland and Southwest. 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 a

Verbandsliga The Verbandsliga () is the tier-six football league in the German football league system, covering the area of a '' Bundesland'' or a regional part of such Bundesland.Landesliga The Landesliga () is a tier of football in some states of the German football league system. In Bavaria, Saxony, Thuringia, Bremen, Lower Saxony and Hamburg, the Landesligas are set right below the Oberliga and therefore are the sixth tier. The r ...

(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 an Oberliga (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 own

(Regional League), a league formerly only organized by the superior regional associations. 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 a government district, whereas the district associations have jurisdiction for the territory of an urban 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, the

Bezirksliga The Bezirksliga () is commonly a medium set of amateur divisions set at steps 7, 8 or 9 in the German football league system. Structure Depending on the structural organisation within each of the 21 state football associations of the German Fo ...

(County League) under their jurisdiction, then followed by the district associations' top flights

Kreisliga The Kreisliga (), along with the ''Kreisoberliga'' () and the ''Kreisklasse'' (), are the lowest set of divisions in the German football league system, set at step 8 and below. Structure Whereas the top amateur divisions are organised by the 21 ...

(District League). State associations that are directly subdivided into district associations, typically run the Bezirksliga themselves. In Hesse, the Bezirksliga is called the

Gruppenliga The Gruppenliga () is the seventh tier of football in the German state of Hesse Hesse or Hessen ( ), officially the State of Hesse (), is a States of Germany, state in Germany. Its capital city is Wiesbaden, and the largest urban area is Frankf ...

(Group League).

Northern Germany

Schleswig-Holstein

The Schleswig-Holstein Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state of

and starts at level five of the German league system with the

Oberliga Schleswig-Holstein The Oberliga Schleswig-Holstein, formerly referred to as ''Schleswig-Holstein-Liga'', is the fifth tier of the German football league system and the highest league in the Germany, German States of Germany, state of Schleswig-Holstein. It is one of ...

on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions are Eutin 08. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the

Bremen-Liga The Bremen-Liga, sometimes also referred to as ''Oberliga Bremen'', is a fifth tier of the German football league system and the highest league in the States of Germany, German state Bremen (state), Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. It is one of four ...

champions, the

Oberliga Hamburg The Oberliga Hamburg, sometimes referred to as ''Hamburg-Liga'', is the highest league in the Germany, German States of Germany, state of Hamburg, incorporating some of its surrounding districts. It is one of fourteen Oberliga (football), Oberligen ...

champions and the

Niedersachsenliga The Oberliga Niedersachsen (), sometimes referred to as ''Niedersachsenliga'' (Lower Saxony league), is the fifth tier of the German football league system and the highest league in the Germany, German States of Germany, state of Lower Saxony (). ...

runner-up for two promotions to the

. 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. Additionally, four teams play above the state association league system: Holstein Kiel ('' 2. Bundesliga''), Eutin 08, SC Weiche Flensburg 08 and

VfB Lübeck VfB Lübeck is a German association football club playing in Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, in the country's north. It is most known for reaching the semifinals of the German Cup in the 2003/2004 season. They played in the 2. Bundesliga from 199 ...

(''all

'').

Hamburg

The Hamburg Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state of

and parts of southern Schleswig-Holstein and northeastern Lower Saxony and it starts at level five of the German league system with the

on top. The 2021–22 season champions were TuS Dassendorf. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the

champions, the

champions and the

runner-up for two promotions to the

. As the state of Hamburg consists only of the city of Hamburg itself, there are no local associations below. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 30 divisions having 453 teams. Additionally, six teams play above the state association league system:

Hamburger SV Hamburger Sport-Verein e.V. (), commonly known as Hamburger SV () or Hamburg (), or HSV (), is a German sports club based in Hamburg, with its largest branch being its Association football, football department. Though the current HSV was founde ...

(''

Bundesliga The Bundesliga (; ), sometimes referred to as the Fußball-Bundesliga () or 1. Bundesliga (), is a professional association football league in Germany and the highest level of the German football league system. The Bundesliga comprises 18 teams ...

''),

FC St. Pauli Fußball-Club St. Pauli von 1910 e.V., commonly known as simply FC St. Pauli (), is a German professional association football, football club based in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg. The team plays in the Bundesliga from the 2024–25 Bundesli ...

('' 2. Bundesliga''), Altona 93, Hamburger SV II, FC St. Pauli II and FC Eintracht Norderstedt 03 (''all

'').

Lower Saxony

The Lower Saxony Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state of

and starts at level five of the German league system with the

on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions are SSV Jeddeloh. The champions are directly promoted to

, whereas the runner-up enters a promotion playoff along with the

champions and the

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. Additionally, 16 teams play above the state association league system:

Hannover 96 Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96 (), is a German professional association football, football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony. They played in the Bundesliga for a total of 30 years between 19 ...

and

VfL Wolfsburg Verein für Leibesübungen Wolfsburg e. V., commonly known as VfL Wolfsburg (), is a German professional sports club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony. The club grew out of a multi-sports club for Volkswagen workers in the city of Wolfsburg. I ...

(''

''),

Eintracht Braunschweig Braunschweiger Turn- und Sportverein Eintracht von 1895 e.V., commonly known as Eintracht Braunschweig () or BTSV (), is a German football and sports club based in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. They compete in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier o ...

('' 2. Bundesliga''), SV Meppen and

VfL Osnabrück VfL Osnabrück is a German multi-sport club in Osnabrück, Lower Saxony. It currently fields teams in basketball, gymnastics, swimming, table tennis, and tennis but is by far best known for its Association football, football section. The footba ...

(''

''), Lüneburger SK Hansa, TSV Havelse, VfL Wolfsburg II, Hannover 96 II, 1. FC Germania Egestorf/Langreder, Schwarz-Weiß Rehden,

VfB Oldenburg VfB Oldenburg is a Football in Germany, German association football club based in Oldenburg (city), Oldenburg, Lower Saxony. In the 2022–23 season, they played in the 3. Liga, the third level of football in Germany. History Founded by a gro ...

, SSV Jeddeloh, SV Drochtersen/Assel,

VfV 06 Hildesheim VfV 06 Hildesheim is a Football in Germany, German association football club from the town of Hildesheim, Lower Saxony. The club's greatest success has been promotion to the tier four Regionalliga Nord in 2015. History Predecessor clubs VfV 06 H ...

and Eintracht Braunschweig II (''all

'').

Bremen

The Bremen Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state of

and starts at level five of the German league system with the

on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions are Bremer SV. The champions enter a promotion playoff along with the

champions, the

champions and the

runner-up for two promotions to the

. Below the state association league system one county association and following it two district associations work as feeders to the Landesliga. In the 2016–17 season, the full system comprises 11 divisions having 148 teams. Additionally, two teams play above the state association league system:

SV Werder Bremen Sportverein Werder Bremen von 1899 e. V. (), commonly known as Werder Bremen, Werder or simply Bremen, is a German professional sports club based in Bremen. Founded on 4 February 1899, Werder are best known for their professional association foo ...

(''

'') and SV Werder Bremen II (''

'').

Northeastern Germany

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

The

league system in the state association league systems in the state of

and starts at level six of the German league system with the

Verbandsliga Mecklenburg-Vorpommern The Verbandsliga Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the sixth tier of the German football league system and the highest league in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Until the introduction of the 3. Liga in 2008 it was the fifth tier of the ...

on top. The current (2020–21 season) champions are FC Mecklenburg Schwerin. The champions are directly promoted to Oberliga 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. Additionally, seven teams play above the state association league system: Hansa Rostock (''

''), TSG Neustrelitz (''

''), Hansa Rostock II, FC Anker Wismar,

Malchower SV Malchower SV is a Football in Germany, German association football club based in Malchow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, currently playing in the NOFV-Oberliga Nord. The club was established on 26 July 1990, but traces its tradition back to the city's ...

, FC Mecklenburg Schwerin and Torgelower FC Greif (''all Oberliga Nordost'').

Brandenburg

The Brandenburg State Football Association league system is the state association league system in the state of

and starts at level six of the German league system with the

Brandenburg-Liga The Brandenburg-Liga (VI) (''formerly the Verbandsliga Brandenburg'') is the highest league for football teams exclusively in the German state of Brandenburg and at step six of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3. Li ...

on top. The current (2016–17 season) champions are

VfB Krieschow {{Short pages monitor