German Championship. Regionalliga West
The Regionalliga West is one of five fourth-tier regional leagues in German football, covering North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. Featuring 18 teams, it serves as a battleground for promotion to the 3. Liga and survival amid fierce competition, blending ambitious lower-division sides with clubs eyeing a pro return.
History and foundation
Launched in 2008 amid Germany's football pyramid reform, it replaced the Oberliga. Early dominators included VfL Bochum Amateurs and Sportfreunde Lotte. Highlights: Borussia Dortmund II's 2012 title win and SV Meppen's 2019 ascent to 3. Liga. Notably, reserves from top clubs like 1. FC Köln and MSV Duisburg have added spice.
Tournament format
The season spans 34 matches in a double round-robin format. The champion promotes directly to 3. Liga; places 2-4 enter playoffs. Teams 15-18 relegate directly or via Oberliga playoffs. Runs August to May with a winter break.
Interesting facts
Average goals per game hover at 3.2, ensuring entertainment. Top scorer Moritz Brand (Alemannia Aachen) netted 28 in 2018/19. Standouts: Daniel Thioune from KFC Uerdingen (now pro), or Köln reserves like Dominik Danker. Alumni include Levan Kobiashvili.