Würzburger Kickers secure promotion to Germany's 3. Liga as Lok Leipzig miss out

Würzburger Kickers earned promotion to the 3. Liga after a two‑legged playoff against 1. FC Lok Leipzig, winning 3‑1 on aggregate (1‑0 home, 2‑1 away). The Bayern side returned to the third tier for the first time in four years, finishing second in the Regionalliga Bayern because the 1. FC Nürnberg II relinquished its licence.

Lok Leipzig, despite winning the Regionalliga Nordost for the third time in seven years, failed to ascend and will remain in the regional league for an eleventh consecutive season. The club’s supporters protested, chanting "Euer System ist krank" and captain Djamal Ziane lamented, "Jeder ist traurig von uns." The controversy highlights the DFB’s promotion rules, which allow only four regional‑league champions to move up, resulting in a 3. Liga dominated by western clubs – 19 western teams plus Hansa Rostock – and sparking calls for reform of the league‑structure model.

The DFB has acknowledged the issues and is considering adjustments, though no immediate changes have been announced.