TSV 1860 Munich demoted to Regionalliga after missing 3‑Liga licence
The TSV 1860 Munich failed to meet the German Football Association’s licensing criteria for the 3. Liga because a €2.7 million liquidity guarantee from majority shareholder HAM International Limited, owned by Jordanian investor Hasan Ismaik, was not provided before the deadline. As a result, the club will compete in the Regionalliga Bayern for the 2026‑27 season.
Club president Gernot Mang announced, “We did not obtain the licence, we will play in the regional league next season.” Negotiations with Ismaik broke down and no financing agreement was reached. Ismaik posted a cryptic message on Facebook, stating, “The club is bigger than any crisis,” and expressed sadness about the outcome.
The forced relegation mirrors a similar crisis in 2017, when the club also dropped to the Regionalliga after a failed licence. The vacant 3. Liga spot could be offered to TSV Havelse pending its own licence approval, or alternatively to FC Erzgebirge Aue if Havelse is denied.