Germany/4^th division reform: unanimous support for a switch from five to four groups

The working group on the reform of the Regionalliga (German football’s 4^th division) has concluded its work during a fifth meeting held on 25/03/2026. It unanimously supports a four-group Regionalliga, allowing all group winners to be promoted to the 3.Liga.

This working group, chaired by Michael Vesper, is composed of 12 other members (two representatives from each of the five Regionalligen, plus Manuel Hartmann, managing director for match operations at the DFB, and Ansgar Schwenken, director of match operations & fans at the DFL). It reviewed the proposed models in detail and selected options before delivering its final assessment.

German football is geographically divided into five Regionalligen (see map):
• Regionalliga North;
• Regionalliga North-East;
• Regionalliga West;
• Regionalliga South-West;
• Regionalliga Bavaria.

Since 2012-13, one league has been organised in each Regionalliga, with 18 clubs in each division in 2025-26 (including reserve teams from professional clubs). Three champions are promoted to the 3.Liga (North, West and South-West), while the two others (North-East…