:3. Liga

{{for|more details on this topic|History of German football}}

In January 2006, the discussion was made about a reorganization of the amateur leagues and the establishment of a single-track "3. Bundesliga". The aim of the reform was to create a great performance density for the substructure of the 2. Bundesliga with better support and development opportunities for talented players. In addition, better marketing of the third division should be achieved. A violent dispute broke out in the run-up to the decision scheduled for September 2006 at the DFB-Bundestag about the participation of second teams in the first and second division. After the U23 teams of the professional clubs were initially not supposed to take part in the newly created league for reasons of distortion of competition and low attendance, several Bundesliga clubs demanded, an unrestricted right to participate. Ultimately, a compromise was worked out that initially only allowed four-second substitutes to play in the inaugural season of the third division.{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/dritte-liga-doch-mit-zweiten-mannschaften-353687/artikel |title=DFL legt ursprüngliches Modell ad acta: Dritte Liga doch mit zweiten Mannschaften? |date=16 August 2006 |website=kicker |access-date=30 November 2020 |language=German}}

On 8 September 2006, the introduction of the single-track 3. Liga was finally decided at an extraordinary DFB Bundestag. Half of the clubs from the existing Regionalliga North and South were able to qualify for the premiere season, plus four relegated teams from the 2. Bundesliga. The German Football Association, the DFB, announced the formation of the 3. Liga. It was originally anticipated that the league's name would be 3. Bundesliga, but the DFB chose 3. Liga instead, as the league will be directly administered by the DFB, not by the German Football League DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga) who runs both Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.{{Cite web |title=3. Liga Qualifikation Modus |url=https://www.dfb.de/uploads/media/OM-09-2006.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102120300/https://www.dfb.de/uploads/media/OM-09-2006.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2012 |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=Deutscher Fußball Bund |language=German }} On 10 April 2008, the DFB presented the logo for the new division to the public.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/dynamik-des-fussballs-logo-der-neuen-3-liga-praesentiert-13958/ |title="Dynamik des Fußballs": Logo der neuen 3. Liga präsentiert. |date=10 April 2008 |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=1 December 2020 |language=German}}

In contrast to the introduction of the 2. Liga in 1974 or the merging of the north and south seasons to form the single-track 2. Bundesliga for the 1981–82 season, there was no multi-year rating when determining the participants for the first season of the new 3. Liga. It was only the performance of the teams in the qualifying period of the Regionalliga relays were athletically qualified for the 3. Liga. In addition, there were four 2. Liga relegated teams in the 2007–08 season. The Regionalliga players who were not qualified for the new division after completing the admission process competed in the new three-pronged fourth division Regionalliga, provided they were granted a license for this.{{cite web |url=http://www.dfb.de/uploads/media/OM-09-2006.pdf |title=Offizielle Mitteilungen= |date=30 September 2006 |publisher=German Football Association |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140801114646/http://www.dfb.de/uploads/media/OM-09-2006.pdf|access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-date = 1 August 2014|language=German}}

The first match of the 3. Liga was played on 25 July 2008 between Rot-Weiß Erfurt and Dynamo Dresden at the Steigerwaldstadion in Erfurt. Dynamo Dresden won the match 1–0, with Halil Savran scoring the only goal in the closing stages of the first half. The first goal scorer in the 3. Liga was Halil Savran and the first table leader was SC Paderborn 07. The first champions of the 3. Liga were 1. FC Union Berlin on 9 May 2009, who received the eight-and-a-half-kilogram silver championship trophy.{{cite web |url=http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=508638 |title=3. Liga Trophäe |date=17 May 2009 |publisher=German Football Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324143320/http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=508638 |access-date=8 December 2020 |archive-date=24 March 2010 |language=German}}

In the 2018–19 season, four relegated teams were determined for the first time in the history of the 3. Liga,{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/aenderung-der-aufstiegsregelung-in-der-regionalliga-beschlossen-179343/?no_cache=1 |title=Änderung der Aufstiegsregelung in der Regionalliga beschlossen |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=9 December 2020 |language=German}} and for the first-time regular Monday games took place.{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/auch-die-3-liga-bekommt-kuenftig-montagsspiele-724933/artikel |title=Auch die Dritte Liga bekommt künftig Montagsspiele |date=1 June 2018 |website=kicker |access-date=8 December 2020 |language=German}} Furthermore, for the first time no U23 team from a higher-class club was able to qualify for the league. With the relegation of the last founding member of the 3. Liga, FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt, in the preseason, for the first time, no team that been part of the league without interruption took part in the game. In addition, at the beginning of the 2018–19 season, the DFB and Adidas signed a partner contract that would run until the end of the 2021–22 season, according to which the company provides a uniform match ball; in all previous seasons each club had its own ball sponsor. The first ball provided by Adidas for all the clubs was the Telstar 18, which was also used at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/einheitlicher-spielball-fuer-die-3-liga-ab-20182019-186280/ |title=Einheitlicher Spielball für die 3. Liga ab 2018–19 |date=8 August 2018 |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=9 December 2020 |language=German}}

For the 2019–20 season, as in the two national leagues, warnings for club officials were introduced in the form of cards. On the 13th match day, the DFB expanded the regulation by an addition – as with players, club officials are threatened with suspension of more than one game and yellow card suspensions after being sent off after being checked by the competent authority.{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/dfb_bundestag_beschliesst_gelbsperren_fuer_trainer-760966/artikel |title=DFB-Bundestag beschließt Gelbsperren für Trainer |date=24 October 2019 |website=kicker |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=German}} In view of the global COVID-19 pandemic, game operations had to be temporarily suspended after 27 match days on 11 March 2020 and finally completely ceased on 16 March; the measure was initially valid until 30 April 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/3-liga-verlegt-28-und-29-spieltag-214076/ |title=3. Liga verlegt 28. und 29. Spieltag |date=11 March 2020 | website = Deutscher Fußball-Bund |access-date=15 December 2020 |language= de}}{{cite web |url=https://web.de/magazine/regio/hessen/unterbrechung-30-april-3-liga-verlaengert-corona-pause-34523588 |title=Unterbrechung bis 30. April: 3. Liga verlängert Corona-Pause |publisher=web.de |access-date=15 December 2020 |language=de |archive-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317054604/https://web.de/magazine/regio/hessen/unterbrechung-30-april-3-liga-verlaengert-corona-pause-34523588 |url-status=dead }} On 3 April, the DFB announced extensive changes to the game rules as a result. Among other things, it was possible to carry out seasonal operations beyond 30 June 2020, so the following season was opened later than the planned time. Ultimately, the final game day took place on 4 July 2020. In addition, a possible application to open insolvency proceedings within the 2019–20 season would no longer have resulted in a point deduction, in the following season only three points would be deducted instead of the usual nine; from the 2021–22 season onwards, the usual regulation should apply again.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/dfb-mit-umfassenden-aenderungen-der-spiel-und-jugendordnung-214636/ |title=DFB mit umfassenden Änderungen der Spiel- und Jugendordnung |date=3 April 2020 |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=17 December 2020 |language=German}} On 21 May, it was decided to resume game operations on 30 May, and the DFB and DFL had worked out a hygiene concept for all three leagues with the help of the "Task Force Sports Medicine/Special Game Operations".{{cite web |url=https://tfv-erfurt.de/nc/news/detail/news/dfb-pressemitteilung-zum-spielbetrieb-in-der-3-liga/?tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=a6720bbebaf7de15206b0a5cd1aba9f4 |title=DFB-Pressemitteilung zum Spielbetrieb in der 3. Liga |date=28 April 2020 |publisher=Thüringer Fussball-Verband |access-date=18 December 2020 |language=German}} In parallel to the two national leagues, the DFB increased the substitutions quota per team from three to five player for the 3. Liga until the end of the season, and the third-highest German division was not allowed be played in front of spectators.{{cite web |url=https://www.liga3-online.de/auch-in-der-3-liga-fuenf-auswechslungen-erlaubt/ |title=Auch in der 3. Liga fünf Auswechslungen erlaubt |date=29 May 2020 |publisher=liga3-online.de |access-date=21 December 2020 |language=German}}

While small numbers of spectators were allowed from the start of the 2020–21 season under certain conditions, it was decided in an internal league survey to limit the substitution contingent to three players again.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

From its foundation in 2008 to 2013, the league operated at a financial loss, with a record deficit of €20.9 million in 2012–13. The 2013–14 season saw the league make a profit for the first time, of €4.9 million. The league earned €164.5 million, well behind the two Bundesligas above it, but also well ahead of other professional sports leagues in Germany. The Deutsche Eishockey Liga followed with €106.1 million and the Basketball Bundesliga and Handball-Bundesliga were each around the €90 million mark.{{Cite web |date=1 December 2014 |title=3. Liga erstmals in der Gewinnzone |trans-title=Third League in the Winning Zone for the First Time |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/news/_n1356409_/3-liga-erstmals-in-der-gewinnzone/ |access-date=2 December 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |language=German}} This makes it the third-most economically successful professional league in all German sports.{{Cite web |date=22 July 2011 |title=Helmut Sandrock: "Die 3. Liga ist europaweit führend" |trans-title=Helmut Sandrock: "The 3rd Liga is the European leader" |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/helmut-sandrock-die-3-liga-ist-europaweit-fuehrend-28483/ |access-date=10 February 2012 |publisher=German Football Association |language=German}}

Since the establishment of the 3. Liga in 2008, a total of 68 clubs have played in this division. In the 2024–25 season, SSV Ulm were represented in the league for the first time. The last club that had been in the 3. Liga without interruption since it was founded in 2008 is FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt, which was relegated in 2018. The longest uninterrupted club playing in the league is SV Wehen Wiesbaden, which from 2009 until its promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in 2019, played in the 3. Liga for 10 years and also leads the all-time table. The club that has remained the longest at the moment is Hallescher FC, which has remained in the division since 2012. The club with the currently most – 14 – seasons in the 3. Liga is also SV Wehen Wiesbaden.

Members of and stadiums in the 2024–25 3. Liga

{{Location map+|Germany|width=400|float=right|caption=Locations of the 2024–25 3. Liga teams|places=

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=50.793333|long= 6.097222|label=Aachen|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=50.597778|long=12.711111|label=Aue|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=52.032076|long= 8.516750|label=Bielefeld|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=51.756310|long=14.332868|label=Cottbus|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=50.933611|long= 6.874697|label=Cologne|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=51.4925 |long= 7.454444|label=Dortmund|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=51.040998|long=13.748278|label=Dresden|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=51.450832|long= 7.013056|label=Essen|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=52.360771|long= 9.730700|label=Hannover|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=48.744642|long=11.483325|label=Ingolstadt|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=49.479487|long= 8.502486|label=Mannheim|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=48.218773|long=11.624760|label=Munich|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=52.280833|long= 8.071111|label=Osnabrück|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=54.084722|long=12.086666|label=Rostock|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=49.248055|long= 6.983888|label=1. FC Saarbrücken|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=49.334805|long= 8.649590|label=Sandhausen|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=48.792295|long= 9.232141|label=Stuttgart|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=48.06598 |long= 11.61564|label=Unterhaching|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=51.88333 |long= 8.51667 |label=Verl|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Germany|lat=50.069668|long= 8.257188|label=Wiesbaden|position=top}}

}}

There are 68 teams that have taken part in 17 3. Liga seasons that were played from the 2008–09 season until the 2024–25 season. The teams in bold compete in the 3. Liga currently. The year in parentheses represents the most recent year of participation at this level.

{{div col}}

• 14 seasons: Wehen Wiesbaden (2025)
• 13 seasons: SpVgg Unterhaching (2025)
• 12 seasons: Hallescher FC (2024), VfL Osnabrück (2025)
• 11 seasons: Hansa Rostock (2025)
• 10 seasons: Rot-Weiß Erfurt (2018), Preußen Münster (2024)
• 9 seasons: Dynamo Dresden (2025), 1. FC Saarbrücken (2025), VfB Stuttgart II (2025)
• 8 seasons: Chemnitzer FC (2020), MSV Duisburg (2024), Jahn Regensburg (2024), Borussia Dortmund II (2025)
• 7 seasons: Werder Bremen II (2018), VfR Aalen (2019), Carl Zeiss Jena (2020), FSV Zwickau (2023), 1860 Munich (2025)
• 6 seasons: Wacker Burghausen (2014), Sonnenhof Großaspach (2020), Eintracht Braunschweig (2022), 1. FC Magdeburg (2022), SV Meppen (2023), Erzgebirge Aue (2025), FC Ingolstadt (2025), Viktoria Köln (2025), Waldhof Mannheim (2025), SV Sandhausen (2025)
• 5 seasons: Kickers Offenbach (2013), 1. FC Heidenheim (2014), Stuttgarter Kickers (2016), Holstein Kiel (2017), Fortuna Köln (2019), Bayern Munich II (2021), Würzburger Kickers (2022), Arminia Bielefeld (2025), SC Verl (2025)
• 4 seasons: 1. FC Kaiserslautern (2022), Energie Cottbus (2025)
• 3 seasons: SV Babelsberg 03 (2013), Darmstadt 98 (2014), Mainz 05 II (2017), SC Paderborn (2018), Karlsruher SC (2019), Sportfreunde Lotte (2019), KFC Uerdingen (2021), SC Freiburg II (2024), Rot-Weiss Essen (2025)
• 2 seasons: Wuppertaler SV (2010), Türkgücü München (2022), SV Elversberg (2023), VfB Lübeck (2024), Alemannia Aachen (2025)
• 1 season: Union Berlin (2009), Fortuna Düsseldorf (2009), Kickers Emden (2009), Rot Weiss Ahlen (2011), TuS Koblenz (2011), Rot-Weiß Oberhausen (2012), RB Leipzig (2014), FSV Frankfurt (2017), Viktoria Berlin (2022), TSV Havelse (2022), SpVgg Bayreuth (2023), VfB Oldenburg (2023), SSV Ulm (2024), Hannover 96 II (2025)

{{div col end}}

Since the first season in 2008–09, 20 teams have been playing in the 2. Bundesliga. The top two teams are promoted directly, the third-placed team has to play for promotion in a two-leg play-off against the team third from the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga. The three (from the 2018–19 season four{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/aenderung-der-aufstiegsregelung-in-der-regionalliga-beschlossen-179343/ |title=Änderung der Aufstiegsregelung in der Regionalliga beschlossen |date=8 December 2017 |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=7 January 2021 |language=German}}) last-placed teams will be relegated to the fourth-tier Regionalliga and will be replaced by four (until 2018–19 three) promoted teams from the Regionalligas. The four best teams in the league qualify for the DFB-Pokal.

The teams which are not reserve teams of Bundesliga teams among the 20 teams in the league compete for promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, while the four bottom teams are relegated to one of the five Regionalligen: Regionalliga Nord, Regionalliga Nordost, Regionalliga West, Regionalliga Südwest, and Regionalliga Bayern. Until 2018, three were relegated. If, however, a reserve team is playing in the 3. Liga and the respective first team is relegated to the 3. Liga, the reserve team will be demoted to the fifth-level Oberliga regardless of its league position, because reserve teams of 3. Liga clubs are ineligible to play in the Regionalliga.

At the end of the 2007–08 season, the two best non-reserve teams from each of the two divisions of the Regionalliga were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga. The teams ranked third to tenth in both Regionalliga entered the new 3. Liga, joining the four teams relegated from the 2. Bundesliga to form the new 20-team league. Teams finishing 11th or lower in their Regionalliga remained where they were.

On 18 May 2008, at the end of the 2007–08 2. Bundesliga season, four clubs were relegated from the 2. Bundesliga and became charter members of the 3. Liga: Kickers Offenbach, Erzgebirge Aue, SC Paderborn and FC Carl Zeiss Jena.

On 31 May 2008, at the end of the 2007–08 Regionalliga seasons, clubs placing third through tenth in the Regionalliga Nord and the Regionalliga Süd also qualified for the new 3. Liga.

From the Regionalliga Nord:

• Fortuna Düsseldorf
• Union Berlin
• Werder Bremen II
• Borussia Wuppertal
• Rot-Weiß Erfurt
• Dynamo Dresden
• Kickers Emden
• Eintracht Braunschweig

From the Regionalliga Süd:

• VfB Stuttgart II
• VfR Aalen
• SV Sandhausen
• SpVgg Unterhaching
• Wacker Burghausen
• Bayern Munich II
• Jahn Regensburg
• Stuttgarter Kickers

The teams of the 3. Liga are obliged to list at least 4 players in the match report sheet (game day squad) for each game who are eligible to play for a DFB selection team and who are not older than 23 years for the entire season (1 July to 30 June), i.e. were born on or after 1 July 1998 (U23 players) for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/fileadmin/_dfbdam/229899-08_Spielordnung.pdf |title=§ 12 Nr. 4.1 der DFB-Spielordnung |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=12 January 2021 |language=German}}

Eligibility to play in the second teams of licensed clubs (Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga) is based on the regulation that applies from the Regionalliga downwards. According to this, only U23 players (see above) may be used, with 3 older players allowed to be in the game at the same time.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/fileadmin/_dfbdam/229899-08_Spielordnung.pdf |title=§§ 12 Nr. 4.2, 12 Nr. 1 der DFB-Spielordnung |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=12 January 2021 |language=German}}

The table lists the teams that have been promoted automatically to the 2.Bundesliga and those that have qualified for the promotion playoffs since the league’s inaugural campaign (the 2008-09 season).

{{:Promotion to the 2. Bundesliga}}

With an annual turnover of €186 million (as of 2017–18), the 3. Liga was ahead of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, the Handball-Bundesliga and Basketball Bundesliga{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} (see: List of professional sports leagues by revenue).

In addition to sporting qualifications, the clubs concerned must also meet the economic and technical- organizational requirements that are mandatory by the DFB Presidium. As of the 2023-24 season, the minimum required capacity of stadiums has been reduced from 10,001 to 5,001, as a part of the DFB's "3. Liga Economic Task Force".{{cite web |title=NACH TASK FORCE: PRÄSIDIUM BESCHLIESST MASSNAHMENPAKET FÜR 3. LIGA |url=https://www.dfb.de/3-liga/news-detail/nach-task-force-praesidium-beschliesst-massnahmenpaket-fuer-3-liga-233869/ |website=DFB |access-date=19 March 2024 |language=German}} Club managers must also have hold a UEFA Pro License.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/3-liga/news-detail/so-laeuft-das-zulassungsverfahren-zur-3-liga-144553/ |title=So läuft das Zulassungsverfahren zur 3. Liga |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=14 January 2021 |language=German}}

In particular, the conditions relating to the arcade infrastructure repeatedly prompt potential climbers from the subordinate regional leagues not to submit any licensing documents; for example SV Rödinghausen or Berliner AK 07, both of which play in stadiums that are clearly too small.{{cite web |url=https://www.svroedinghausen.de/news/aktuellste/artikel/news/svr-arbeitet-auch-in-zukunft-nachhaltig/ |title=SVR arbeitet auch in Zukunft nachhaltig |date=13 February 2020 |publisher=SV Rödinghausen |access-date=20 January 2021 |language=German}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fupa.net/berichte/berliner-ak-bak-verzichtet-auf-lizenzantrag-fuer-liga-3-2301411.html |title=BAK verzichtet auf Lizenzantrag für Liga 3 |date=5 March 2019 |publisher=FuPa.net |access-date=20 January 2021 |language=German}} On the other hand, cases such as that of KFC Uerdingen 05, 1. FC Saarbrücken or Türkgücü München show that even a temporary game operation in alternative venues is just as problematic as the search for one.{{cite web |url=https://www.merkur.de/sport/amateur-fussball/landkreis-muenchen-stadt/sv-tuerkguecue-ataspor-suche-nach-geeigneter-spielstaette-fuer-regionalliga-11808081.html |title=Türkgücü-Ataspors Ziele: Großsponsor, 2. Bundesliga und Stadionlösung |last1=Pfister |first1=Kirsten |date=27 February 2019 |publisher=Merkur.de |access-date=20 January 2021 |language=German}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sr.de/sr/home/sport/lupa_keine_garantie_auf_fertigstellung_im_sommer_100.html |title=Ligaauftakt im Ludwigspark steht auf der Kippe |last1=Dresen |first1=Daniel |date=2 February 2020 |publisher=SR.de |access-date=20 January 2021 |language=German |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128172240/https://www.sr.de/sr/home/sport/lupa_keine_garantie_auf_fertigstellung_im_sommer_100.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.reviersport.de/artikel/die-stadionfrage-beim-kfc-uerdingen-ist-entschieden/ |title=Die Stadionfrage beim KFC Uerdingen ist entschieden |last1=Loyda |first1=Stefan |date=28 February 2020 |publisher=RevierSport |access-date=20 January 2021 |language=German}}

The media rights contract with SportA, the sports rights agency of the German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, ran until the end of the 2017–18 season. Under this contract, the ARD and its third programs broadcast at least 100, a maximum of 120 games as well as the promotion games to the 3. Liga live.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/3-liga-live-bei-der-telekom-alle-fakten-169395/?no_cache=1 |title=3. Liga live bei der Telekom: Alle Fakten |date=20 June 2017 |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=26 January 2021 |language=German}} The third programs broadcast further games via live stream on the internet. This reached an average of around four million viewers.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportschau.de/fussball/bundesliga3/dritte-liga-saisonstart-100.html |title=Jubiläum in der 3. Liga – kein Grund zum Feiern |last1=van der Felden |first1=Frank |date=21 July 2017 |publisher=Sportschau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183741/https://www.sportschau.de/fussball/bundesliga3/dritte-liga-saisonstart-100.html |access-date=26 January 2021 |archive-date=31 July 2018 |language=German}} in addition, the ARD Sportschau showed summaries of selected games on Saturday from 6 pm to 6:30 pm.

Since the start of the 2017–18 season, Deutsche Telekom has been broadcasting all games for customers and subscribers as internet live streams. From the 2018–19 season to the 2020–21 season, a new contract came into force, with which SportA and Telekom jointly held the media rights to the 3. Liga. The ARD and its state broadcasters will then show 86 games from the 3. Liga as well as the promotion games to the 3. Liga live.

The clubs in the 3. Liga have each received well over a million euros for television rights since the 2018–19 season, around 40 percent more than before.{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/telekom-zahlt-16-millionen-euro-pro-saison-fuer-3-liga-669715/artikel |title=Telekom zahlt 16 Millionen Euro pro Saison für 3. Liga |last1=Franzke |first1=Rainer |website=kicker |access-date=29 January 2021 |language=German}} When the 3. Liga was introduced, the clubs received a total of €10 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/fussball-dfb-verteilung-der-fernsehgelder-fuer-3-liga-geregelt_aid_275680.html |title=Fußball – DFB: Verteilung der Fernsehgelder für 3. Liga geregelt. |date=28 November 2007 |publisher=FOCUS ONLINE |access-date=29 January 2021 |language=German |archive-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320063859/https://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/fussball-dfb-verteilung-der-fernsehgelder-fuer-3-liga-geregelt_aid_275680.html |url-status=dead }} Since the 2009–10 season, the annual payout has been €12,8 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.lifepr.de/pressemitteilung/deutscher-fussball-bund-ev-dfb/Neuer-Fernseh-Vertrag-bis-2012-perfekt/boxid/42437 |title=Neuer Fernseh-Vertrag bis 2012 perfekt |date=13 May 2008 |publisher=lifePR |access-date=29 January 2021 |language=German}}{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalfernsehen.de/news/inhalte/fernsehen/clubs-in-der-3-fussball-liga-erhalten-mehr-fernsehgelder-455103/ |title=Clubs in der 3. Fußball-Liga erhalten mehr Fernsehgelder |date=20 February 2009 |publisher=DIGITALfernsehen |access-date=29 January 2021 |language=German}} The second teams of the professional clubs do not participate in the television money.

Approximately 1–2 matches per week are broadcast with English commentary on the German Football Association YouTube channel.{{Cite web|title=German Football – YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7am34-1rGU_ky1vWYnoOJQ|access-date=4 May 2021|via=YouTube}}

The number of spectators in the 3. Liga varies greatly. Big city traditional clubs like Dynamo Dresden, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, 1. FC Magdeburg, FC Hansa Rostock, MSV Duisburg, Arminia Bielefeld, Karlsruher SC, Alemannia Aachen, Eintracht Braunschweig, TSV 1860 Munich and Fortuna Düsseldorf, but also the ambitious newcomer RB Leipzig often had an average attendance of well over 10,000 viewers per game.Kicker.de: [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2016-17/38 Spectator statistics 2018–19],

[https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2015-16/38 2017–18],

[https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2015-16/38 2016–17],

[https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2015-16/38 2015–16], [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2014-15/38 2014–15], [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2013-14/38 2013–14], [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2012-13/38 2012–13], [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2011-12/38 2011–12], [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2010-11/38 2010–11], [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2009-10/38 2009–10], [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2008-09/38 2008–09] Dynamo Dresden achieved the highest amount with an average of 27,500 spectators in the 2015–16 season. For the reserve teams, the average attendance is often less than 1,500 spectators per game. Werder Bremen II had the lowest value in the 2011–12 season with an average of 626. In the 2018–19 season, more than 3 million spectators were registered for the first time with an average of over 8,000, and six clubs achieved a five-digit average attendance.

Overall the 3. Liga has attendance numbers that are comparable to the second-tier soccer leagues in Italy (Serie B), France (Ligue 2) and Spain (Segunda División).{{cite news |url=https://www.zeit.de/sport/2017-07/fussball-zweite-bundesliga-zuschauer |title=Von wegen Zweite Liga |last1=Lopez |first1=Edgar |date=28 July 2017 |work=Die Zeit |access-date=12 February 2021 |language=German}} Only the third-tier English football league One has similarly high or higher attendance numbers.{{cite web |url=https://www.weltfussball.de/zuschauer/eng-league-one-2016-2017/1/ |title=England " League One 2016/2017 " Zuschauer " Heimspiele |date=31 March 2016 |website=weltfussball.de |access-date=12 February 2021 |language=German}}

Since its first season, the 3. Liga has had a higher turnover than the first-class German Leagues in all other sports.{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/helmut-sandrock-die-3-liga-ist-europaweit-fuehrend-28483/ |title=Helmut Sandrock: "Die 3. Liga ist europaweit führend" |date=22 July 2011 |publisher=German Football Association |access-date=17 February 2021 |language=German}} For a number of clubs their participation in the 3. Liga ended with major financial problems. In 2009, the Stuttgarter Kickers got down after the DFB had imposed a three-point deduction for a loan that was not repaid on time. In addition, Kickers Emden had to withdraw its application for a license for the 3. Liga for economic reasons. In 2010–11, the opening of insolvency proceeding resulted in the forced regulation of Rot Weiss Ahlen. In the same season, TuS Koblenz waived their right to start the following third division season due to financial bottlenecks. In 2013, after the opening of insolvency proceedings, Alemannia Aachen was determined to be relegated early on and Kickers Offenbach's third division license was revoked. In 2016–17, VfR Aalen and FSV Frankfurt. In March 2018, FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt filed for bankruptcy, followed by Chemnitzer FC in April.{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/chemnitzer-fc-stellt-insolvenzantrag-721299/artikel |title=Chemnitzer FC stellt Insolvenzantrag |website=kicker |access-date=17 February 2021 |language=German}} Both clubs were relegated after deducting ten or nine points. Several other clubs are constantly threatened with bankruptcy.

At a press conference in mid-October 2019, the DFB published the balance sheet report for the 2018–19 season. A record turnover of €185 million was offset by an average loss of €1.5 million, which meant a new negative record. It was also the ninth of eleven years in which the clubs showed a total deficit, while seven clubs were still able to generate a profit. One of the main drivers of this situation, according to the report, was increased spending on human resources, particularly on player transfers and salaries. The average earnings of a 3. Liga player for 2018–19 was given as around €7,000 per month. In addition, the number of spectators in the stadiums continued to rise, but in return it fell significantly on television.{{cite web |url=https://www.liga3-online.de/trotz-rekordumsatz-drittligisten-machen-rekordverluste/ |title=Trotz Rekordumsatz: Drittligisten machen Rekordverlust |last1=Koch |first1=Julian |date=16 October 2019 |publisher=liga3-online.de |access-date=26 February 2021 |language=German}}

In order to counteract the problem, the DFB decided in September 2018 to introduce so-called financial fair play in the 3. Liga as well as a youth development fund to improve the economic situation of the clubs and strengthen their talent development. A total of around €3.5 million is to be distributed to the clubs. Up to €550,000 is to be distributed equally among clubs with a "positive seasonal result" and clubs that "have achieved or even exceeded their target season goal". A further €2.95 million is to flow into the youth development of the participants, whereby the use of U21 players with German nationality should have a positive effect on the distribution rate per club.{{cite web |url=https://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/dfb-dfb-beschliesst-financial-fair-play-fuer-3-liga_id_9635961.html |title=DFB beschließt Financial Fair Play für 3. Liga |date=21 August 2018 |publisher=FOCUS Online |access-date=2 March 2021 |language=German}}

The pots are distributed in September at the end of a season. With the first distribution, Hansa Rostock received the highest amount for the top position in the categories "positive annual result" and "planned quiality" after a record turnover of €19 million in the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.liga3-online.de/financial-fairplay-hansa-rostock-mit-drittliga-bestwert/ |title=Financial Fairplay: Hansa Rostock mit Drittliga-Bestwert |last1=Koch |first1=Julian |date=27 December 2019 |publisher=liga3-online.de |access-date=2 March 2021 |language=German}}

Up to and including the 2021–22 season the top goal scorers, attendance statistics and records for the league are:

As of 22 May 2021

File:Karte-Meister-Liga-3.png

The teams are ordered here based on when they were last in the league, starting with the longest promoted teams, current teams, and longest relegated teams. The following clubs have played in the league and achieved the following final positions:{{Cite magazine |title=3. Liga – Spieltag / Tabele |url=https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/spieltag/2017-18/38/0 |magazine=kicker.de |language=German |access-date=21 June 2018}}

• ¹ Kickers Offenbach were refused a 3. Liga licence at the end of the 2012–13 season and relegated to the Regionalliga. SV Darmstadt 98, placed 18th originally, were instead placed in 17th position and were not relegated.{{Cite magazine |date=3 June 2013 |title=Ruhl: "Ein bitterer Tag für den OFC" |url=https://www.kicker.de/ruhl_ein-bitterer-tag-fuer-den-ofc-587262/artikel |magazine=Kicker |language=German |access-date=9 January 2014}}
• ² TSV 1860 Munich were unable to obtain a 3. Liga licence at the end of the 2016–17 season and relegated to the Regionalliga. SC Paderborn 07, placed 18th originally and who submitted a 3. Liga licence application, remained in the league for the 2017–18 season.{{Cite news |date=2 June 2017 |title=TSV 1860 München erhält keine Zulassung für die 3. Liga |language=German |trans-title=TSV 1860 Munich does not receive approval for the 3. Liga |work=DFB.de |publisher=German Football Association |url=http://www.dfb.de/news/detail–1860-muenchen-erhaelt-keine-zulassung-fuer-die-3-liga-168530/ |access-date=28 May 2018}}{{Cite news |date=9 June 2017 |title=Teilnehmerfeld der 3. Liga für Saison 2017/2018 komplett |language=German |work=DFB.de |publisher=German Football Association |url=http://www.dfb.de/news/detail/teilnehmerfeld-der-3-liga-fuer-saison-20172018-komplett-168841/ |access-date=28 May 2018}}
• ³ TuS Koblenz withdrew from the league after the 2011–12 season; Bremen II, placed 18th originally, were instead placed in 17th position and were not relegated.
• ⁴ RW Ahlen did not receive a licence for the 2011–12 season, originally finishing 17th after 2010–11. The club was placed in 20th position and relegated. Burghausen, placed 18th originally, were instead placed in 17th position and were not relegated. Ahlen did not request a licence in the Regionalliga and started the new season in the Oberliga.
• ⁵ Kickers Emden withdrew from the league after the 2008–09 season; Burghausen, placed 18th originally, were instead placed in 17th position and were not relegated. Emden became insolvent in 2012.

{{main|Promotion to the 2. Bundesliga}}

At the end of the regular season the third placed team in the 3. Liga play the 16th placed team in the 2. Bundesliga over two matches. The overall winner plays in the 2. Bundesliga in the following season, and the loser in the 3. Liga.

; 2008–09{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2008/2009 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2008-2009-spiele/2/ |access-date=9 January 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|SC Paderborn {{small|(3L)}}||2–0|VfL Osnabrück {{small|(2B)}}||1–0|1–0}}

|}

; 2009–10{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2009/2010 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2009-2010-spiele/2/ |access-date=9 January 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|FC Ingolstadt {{small|(3L)}}||3–0|Hansa Rostock {{small|(2B)}}||1–0|2–0}}

|}

; 2010–11{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2010/2011 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2010-2011-spiele/0/ |access-date=9 January 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Dynamo Dresden {{small|(3L)}}||4–2|VfL Osnabrück {{small|(2B)}}||1–1|3–1 {{aet}}}}

|}

; 2011–12{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2011/2012 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2011-2012-spiele/2/ |access-date=9 January 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Jahn Regensburg {{small|(3L)}}||3–3 (a)|Karlsruher SC {{small|(2B)}}||1–1|2–2}}

|}

; 2012–13{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2012/2013 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2012-2013-spiele/2/ |access-date=9 January 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|VfL Osnabrück {{small|(3L)}}||1–2|Dynamo Dresden {{small|(2B)}}||1–0|0–2}}

|}

; 2013–14{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2013/2014 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2013-2014-spiele/2/ |access-date=13 May 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Darmstadt 98 {{small|(3L)}}||5–5 (a)|Arminia Bielefeld {{small|(2B)}}||1–3|4–2 {{aet}}}}

|}

; 2014–15{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2014/2015 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2014-2015-spiele/2/ |access-date=13 May 2014 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Holstein Kiel {{small|(3L)}}||1–2|1860 Munich {{small|(2B)}}||0–0|1–2}}

|}

; 2015–16{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2015/2016 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2015-2016-spiele/2/ |access-date=4 May 2016 |website=weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Würzburger Kickers {{small|(3L)}}||4–1|MSV Duisburg {{small|(2B)}}||2–0|2–1}}

|}

; 2016–17{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2016/2017 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2016-2017-spiele/2/ |access-date=24 May 2017 |website=Weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Jahn Regensburg {{small|(3L)}}|| 3–1 |1860 Munich {{small|(2B)}}|| 1–1 | 2–0 }}

|}

; 2017–18{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2017/2018 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2017-2018-spiele/2/ |access-date=12 May 2018 |website=Weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Karlsruher SC {{small|(3L)}}|| 1–3 | Erzgebirge Aue {{small|(2B)}}|| 0–0 | 1–3 }}

|}

; 2018–19{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2018/2019 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2018-2019-spiele/0/ |access-date=18 May 2019 |website=Weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|Wehen Wiesbaden {{small|(3L)}}|| 4–4 (a) | FC Ingolstadt {{small|(2B)}}|| 1–2 | 3–2 }}

|}

; 2019–20{{Cite web |title=Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2019/2020 |url=http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2019-2020-spiele/0/ |access-date=16 July 2020 |website=Weltfussball.de |lang=German}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|1. FC Nürnberg {{small|(2B)}}|| 3–3 (a) | FC Ingolstadt {{small|(3L)}}|| 2–0 | 1–3 }}

|}

;2020–21{{cite web | url = http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2020-2021-spiele/2/ | title = Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2020/2021 | lang = de | publisher = Weltfussball.de | access-date = 24 April 2021}}

{{TwoLegStart}}

{{TwoLegResult|FC Ingolstadt||4–3|VfL Osnabrück||3–0|1–3}}

|}

;2021–22{{cite web | url = http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2021-2022-spiele/2/ | title = Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2021/2022 | lang = de | publisher = Weltfussball.de | access-date = 14 May 2022}}

{{#lst:2021–22 2. Bundesliga|Details}}

;2022–23{{cite web | url = http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2022-2023-spiele/2/ | title = Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2022/2023 | lang = de | publisher = Weltfussball.de | access-date = 27 May 2023}}

{{#lst:2022–23 2. Bundesliga|Details}}

;2023–24{{cite web | url = http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/relegation-2-bundesliga-2023-2024-spiele/2/ | title = Relegation 2. Bundesliga 2023/2024 | lang = de | publisher = Weltfussball.de | access-date = 18 May 2024}}

{{#lst:2023–24 2. Bundesliga|Details}}

{{main|Promotion to the 3. Liga}}

From the 2012–13 to 2017–18 seasons, the champions of the five Regionalligas and the runners-up of the Regionalliga Südwest entered an end-of-the season play-off to determine the three teams promoted to the 3. Liga. From the 2018–19 season, three out of those five champions take direct promotion, leaving the remaining two to contest the play-off for the fourth promotion.

• Winner in bold.

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.dfb.de Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)] {{in lang|de}}
• [https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/startseite kicker.de] {{in lang|de}}
• [http://www.weltfussball.de/spielplan/3-liga-2008-2009-spieltag/1/ 3. Liga at Weltfussball.de] {{in lang|de}}
• [http://www.3-liga.com German 3.Liga (www.3-liga.com)] {{in lang|de}}
• [https://int.soccerway.com/national/germany/3-liga/2011-2012/regular-season/ 3. Liga at Soccerway.com]
• [http://www.league321.com/germany-football.html League321.com] – German football league tables, records & statistics database

{{3. Liga}}

{{Football in Germany}}

{{UEFA third leagues}}

3

Category:2008 establishments in Germany

3

Germany

Category:Professional sports leagues in Germany