DFB calls December meeting amid German fourth-tier promotion protests

The German Football Federation has called an extraordinary general meeting for December 18 as clubs and supporters press for changes to a fourth-tier promotion system that leaves one regional champion behind each season. BBC Sport's Matt Ford reported that any reform would take effect only from the 2028-29 campaign, leaving the current arrangements in place in the meantime.

Germany's fourth division has five regional leagues but only four promotion places into the nationwide 3. Liga. The West and Southwest champions qualify automatically. A third automatic place rotates between the North, Northeast and Bavaria, while the remaining two champions contest a play-off for the final spot. Winning a league therefore does not guarantee promotion.

Lokomotive Leipzig experienced that outcome again this summer. Captain Djamal Ziane helped the club retain the Northeast title, but Leipzig lost 3-1 on aggregate to Wurzburger Kickers in the promotion play-off despite a goal from Ziane. It was the third time in seven seasons, following 2020 and 2025, that a Lokomotive championship had not produced a move up.

A reform campaign launched in March 2025 now has support from more than 80 clubs across Germany, according to the BBC. Its proposed compass model would reduce the fourth tier to four leagues. Geographical boundaries would be recalculated each season with artificial intelligence, considering travel distances and local derbies. Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke are among those backing the initiative.

The proposal received 50.9% support overall in a vote at the end of June but did not secure agreement across all five regions. Before the ballot, organisers changed the proposed league size from 20 teams to 18 and required a majority in every region. The Southwest preferred a different restructuring option, while Bavaria backed further discussions rather than one of the proposed models.

Protests have continued this season. BBC Sport reported that players delayed the start of almost every Northeast league game by refusing to play for the opening minute. Lokomotive supporters threw plastic trophies onto the pitch on the opening day, while fans across the Bundesliga displayed coordinated banners calling for promotion reform before the international break.

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said the issue needed to be resolved and identified the compass model as the proposal with the most votes. He also linked it to improving talent development. The December meeting follows that disputed ballot, but the announcement does not itself establish a replacement promotion system or bring forward the stated timetable for change.