Regionalliga Nordost Clubs Propose Reforms for Fairer Promotion System

The clubs have presented three detailed proposals to address perceived inequities in the promotion rules to Germany's 3. Liga.

Seventeen of the eighteen Regionalliga Nordost clubs have united under the campaign 'Aufstiegsreform 2025 - #meistermüssenaufsteigen#' to push for changes to the promotion system.
The current promotion rules, introduced in 2017 and modified in 2019, are seen as unfair, with some Regionalliga champions required to play relegation matches while others gain direct promotion.
The proposed reforms include reducing the number of Regionalliga divisions from five to four, ensuring each champion earns direct promotion to the 3. Liga.
Alternative proposals suggest a playoff system among all five Regionalliga champions or expanding the 3. Liga to 22 teams, with a separate U23 league for reserve teams of professional clubs.
The clubs emphasize collaboration with the Nordostdeutscher Fußball-Verband (NOFV) and other regional leagues to find a compromise and plan to present their proposals at the DFB Bundestag in September.