2. Bundesliga Süd (1974–81)
 |
|
| Country |
 Germany
|
|---|---|
| States | |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Folded | 1981 |
| Replaced by | 2. Bundesliga |
| Level on pyramid | Level 2 |
| Promotion to | Bundesliga |
| Relegation to | |
| Last champions |
SV Darmstadt 98 (1980–81) |
The 2. Bundesliga Süd was the second-highest level of the German football league system in the south of Germany from its introduction in 1974 until the formation of the single-division 2. Bundesliga in 1981. It covered the southern states of Saarland, Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Bavaria.
The league was established in 1974 to reduce the number of second divisions in Germany from five to two and thereby allow direct promotion to the league winners. Along with the foundation of the 2. Bundesliga Süd, formed from clubs of the two former Regionalligas of Süd and Südwest, went the foundation of the 2. Bundesliga Nord, which was created from clubs of the other three Regionalligas, Nord, Berlin and West.
The league was created from thirteen southern and seven southwestern clubs, reflecting the difference in size of the two regions, south being much the larger.
The winner of the 2. Bundesliga Süd was directly promoted to the Bundesliga, the runners-up played a home-and-away series versus the northern runners-up for the third promotion spot.
The league operated with 20 teams in six seasons of its existence, only in 1980 was there 21 teams in the league. The bottom three, some years four teams were relegated to the Amateurligas, after 1978 to the new Oberligas.
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