Based on a rotation principle, the Regionalliga Bayern receives the third direct promotion spot this season, while the Regionalliga Nord and Nordost champions will play a promotion play-off.
[1] 18 teams from the states of Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein will compete in the 13th season of the reformed Regionalliga Nord.
18 teams from the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia will compete in the 13th season of the reformed Regionalliga Nordost.
18 teams from North Rhine-Westphalia will compete in the 13th season of the reformed Regionalliga West.
18 teams from Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland will compete in the 13th season of the Regionalliga Südwest.