The exception is the men's football regional league, which has been led in Germany by the DFB since 1992.
In the 2015 season, the regional leagues north, east, west, center and south exist.
The Regionalligen in ice hockey are, after the DEL, 2nd Bundesliga, and the Oberligen, the fourth division.
The regional leagues are the third-highest play classes in the German handball.
The five masters of the regional leagues ascend directly into the double-railed 2.Bundesliga (north and south).