Surprising rescue possible
Licensing chaos in the 3rd league – Havelse won’t be relegated?
Updated June 3, 2026 – 8:26 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Third division relegated Havelse is already preparing for the regional league. Now a decision by the DFB could change everything.
In terms of sport, TSV Havelse’s fate already seemed sealed: with only 35 points, the team from the Hanover region ended up in 17th place in the 3rd league and therefore actually had to return to the Regionalliga Nord. In the end, eight points and 26 goals were missing from the rescue bank.
But 17th place in the table could still prove to be a lifeline. If a club that managed to stay in the league did not receive a license, it would automatically move to the bottom of the table and be relegated. The club in the first relegation zone should then stay in the 3rd league.
3rd League 1860 Munich is in danger of falling into the regional league
This is exactly the scenario that is now occurring: TSV 1860 Munich has lost its license. He had to provide proof of liquidity to the German Football Association (DFB) by June 3rd at 5 p.m., but was unable to do so. “The reason for this is that our shareholder Hasan Ismaik and his affiliated companies have not fulfilled their financing commitment,” said the association.
Section 55a of the DFB playing regulations states: Clubs whose approval is withdrawn or refused will be subject to forced relegation. They automatically move to the bottom of the table and are considered the first relegated team. The number of relegated teams is reduced accordingly.
TSV 1860 Munich has to go to the regional league. This could now be the salvation for TSV Havelse. According to its own information, the club has submitted all the necessary documents for the 3rd league, the Regionalliga Nord and the U19 youth league to the DFB and has taken part in the respective licensing and approval procedures. “The result of the respective procedures will be communicated to the club after the relevant associations have examined the submitted documents,” said the club on Instagram.
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Licensing chaos around 1860 Munich: consequences for the Oberliga Hamburg
A comparable case recently occurred in the 2020/21 season: KFC Uerdingen 05 finished 16th in the table. the class, but did not receive a license. SV Meppen benefited from this and subsequently remained in the 3rd league.
And it’s not just Havelse that could benefit: In the Regionalliga Nord, FC St. Pauli’s U23s would receive the free place. The team was actually relegated and would be ranked 16th in the table according to the NFV playing regulations. but move up for Havelse because only two teams instead of three would have to be relegated.