What a drama at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt am Main: After 14 years of constant dispute over the regional league, the working group presented the association presidents with two reform proposals for the German league system.
As many expected, the meeting was extremely controversial. The result: two completely different models for the future design of the 4th league. The so-called compass model, which is very popular in numerous regions and also among fans, is particularly popular. It plans to reduce the previous five seasons to four. The 80 instead of 90 teams should be divided annually using AI so that travel distances remain as short as possible.
Splitting up the Northeast is a model
On the other hand, there is a much more controversial variant. In this scenario, the Northeast season would be split up – even though it is the regional league with the largest number of spectators, the most media relevant and the most economically successful. This was staged by association officials from Bavaria, the west, southwest and north. The clubs from the East would in future be distributed across the Bavarian and Northern regions.
Dr. Christoph Kern, President of the Bavarian Football Association, pushed forward the division of the northeast
The representatives of the clubs from all regions spoke out against the so-called “region model” at the meeting. The dispute between associations and clubs ultimately resulted in two opposing concepts that now stand side by side.
The argument is just now starting
However, a central building block is fulfilled in both models: in the future, the champions of all four seasons should be promoted directly. It was precisely this question that had repeatedly caused conflict in recent years. Ultimately, the regulation was clearly unbalanced: While the champions from the southwest and west had fixed promotion places, the title holders from the north, Bavaria and the east had to go into the much-criticized relegation in two out of three seasons – often with serious sporting and economic consequences for the clubs affected.
West boss and DFB deputy Peter Frymuth is still unpredictable
A first attempt at reform within a DFB working group had already failed in 2018. This time it was at least possible to develop two concrete resolutions. That alone is already considered a significant step forward – even if the dispute between the two camps is only now likely to gain momentum.
Fans and clubs have to advertise the compass model
In the next step, the regional league teams are asked again: They should vote on both models. The club representatives had already collected mood reports in advance – with a clear tendency in favor of the compass model. But the final decision lies with the presidents of the state and regional associations. Things are likely to get busy there again. The association heads are under special observation after years of blockade, but in the end they have the last word.
Such banners will probably be seen more often in the near future
For clubs and fans, this means: They now have to advertise their preferred model without being able to choose directly. The situation is particularly delicate for the clubs from the northeast – because they risk losing their previous, popular relay structure. The current proposals are above all a balancing act and contain new explosive material. The new system would be implemented from the 2028/29 season, with qualification starting in summer 2027.
Chronology for Advancement Initiative
