Overview
- Lok Leipzig went unbeaten in regular time across four promotion matches but fell 3–0 in extra time to TSV Havelse and remained in the fourth tier
- The club has raised over €106,000 through crowdfunding to upgrade Bruno-Plache-Stadion with a heated pitch, TV facilities and new seating ahead of another promotion bid
- Aufstiegsreform2025 has attracted backing from traditional clubs in the Nordost, West and Hesse regions, demanding direct promotion for all Regionalliga champions and a streamlined division structure
- NOFV president Ralph-Uwe Schaffert and DFB vice-president Peter Frymuth have declined to engage with reform talks, drawing criticism for ignoring structural inequities
- Since the Regionalliga expanded to five divisions in 2013, clubs have faced financial strains and inconsistent promotion rules, fueling calls for a fairer pathway to the 3rd Liga