About Bundesliga

Introduction

The Bundesliga is the top level of the German football league system. It is a professional league, but there is also an amateur football league called the Regionalliga. The Regionalliga is divided into five regional divisions: North, Northeast, East, West, and South.

History

The Regionalliga was founded in 1963, the same year as the Bundesliga. It was originally intended to be the second level of the German league system, but it was demoted to the third level in 1974 when the 2. Bundesliga was created.

The Regionalliga has been restructured several times over the years. In 1994, the divisions were renamed to Regionalliga Nord, Regionalliga Nordost, Regionalliga West, and Regionalliga Süd. In 2008, the divisions were again renamed to Regionalliga Nord, Regionalliga Nordost, Regionalliga West/Südwest, and Regionalliga Bayern.

Current Format

The current format of the Regionalliga was introduced in 2012. Each division has 18 teams, and the top two teams in each division are promoted to the 3. Liga. The bottom four teams in each division are relegated to the Oberliga.