Oberliga (football)
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| Country |
 Germany
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|---|---|
| Leagues | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | Level 5 |
| Promotion to | Regionalliga |
| Relegation to | Landesliga, Verbandsliga |
 2016–17 Oberliga
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The Oberliga (German: [ˈoːbɐˌliːɡa], "Upper League"; plural: Oberligen) is currently the name of the fifth tier of the German football (soccer) league system. Before the introduction of the 3. Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier. At the end of the 2011–12 season the number of Oberligas was increased from eleven to fourteen.
With the exception of the Nazi-era Gauliga, the term Oberliga (equivalent to Premier League in English) was used prior to the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963 for first-division leagues in Germany. Between 1978–94 the term Amateuroberliga was used for third-tier leagues, which were then the highest level of amateur play in the country. The current usage of the designation Oberliga was introduced in 1994. In East Germany a separate league structure was in place from 1948–1990 and the top flight division there was known as the DDR-Oberliga.
From the end of the Second World War until the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963 there were five regional Oberligen:
Based on criteria outlined by the German association in October 1962 an evaluation system covering the last 12 seasons was established through which the sixteen clubs from these five leagues were established which were to form the new nationwide first division Bundesliga, with the others going to the new second tier Regionalligen.
Below the Oberliga the 2. Oberliga existed from 1949 to 1963 as the second tier in West Germany, except in Northern Germany and West Berlin where this level was never introduced. The 2. Oberligas were:
Oberliga champions are usually promoted to Regionalliga which is directly below the 3. Liga. The Oberliga Nordost has two divisions ("Süd" and "Nord").
If the champion of an Oberliga is the B-team of a club which already has a team in the Regionalliga, or which has a team which will be relegated to the Regionalliga, the B-team cannot be promoted, and the next highest qualified team will be promoted instead.
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