Oberliga (football)

Oberliga
Regional football associations in Germany
Organising bodiesDFB state associations
Founded1945; 79 years ago (1945)
Country Germany
Leagues14
Level on pyramid1 (1945–1963)
3 (1974–1994)
4 (1994–2008)
5 (2008–present)
Promotion toRegionalliga
Relegation toLandesliga, Verbandsliga
Current: 2024–25 Oberliga

The Oberliga (German: [ˈoːbɐˌliːɡa], "Upper League"; plural: Oberligen) is the fifth tier of the German football league system. Before the introduction of the 3. Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier. At the end of the 2011–12 season the number of Oberligas was increased from eleven to fourteen.

With the exception of the Nazi-era Gauliga, the term Oberliga (equivalent to Premier League in English) was used prior to the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963 for first-division leagues in West Germany. Between 1978–94 the term Amateuroberliga was used for third-tier leagues, which were then the highest level of amateur play in the country. The current usage of the designation Oberliga was introduced in 1994. In East Germany a separate league structure was in place from 1948–1990 and the top flight division there was known as the DDR-Oberliga.