Verbandsliga Südbaden
The Verbandsliga Südbaden is currently the 5th tier of the German football league system. With the introduction of the 3rd Bundesliga it will become the 6th tier of the league system.
Overview
The Verbandsliga Südbaden was introduced, at the same time as the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg, in 1978 as a replacement for the Amateurliga Südbaden. The top five teams out of this league went to the new Oberliga while the rest of the teams found themselfs in the Verbandsliga.
The winner of the Verbandsliga gains direct promotion to the Oberliga. The runners-up must play-off agains the runners-up Nordbaden. The winner of this play-off has to face the runners-up of the Verbandsliga Württemberg for the final Oberliga spot.
Feeder leagues to the Verbandsliga Südbaden
The term "Verbandsliga" translates as "Football Association League". With the exception of Bavaria and Hessen, the Verbandsligas form the 5th tier of football in all of Germany. There are 21 Football Associations within the German Association, Südbaden being one of them.