Overview
- 1. FC Union Berlin became the first Bundesliga club to join the Aufstiegsreform2025 initiative.
- The reform effort was launched in March by clubs from the Nordost Regionalliga seeking recognition of their sporting success.
- Under current rules only Regionalliga West and Südwest champions gain direct promotion while other league winners face rotation and playoff hurdles.
- The DFB has offered to mediate discussions that are likely to include a four-division Regionalliga structure and a revised regional layout.
- Stakeholders have ruled out expanding to five direct promotion spots and are focusing on structural realignment instead.