What is "oberliga"

The Oberliga (, "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.

The Oberliga (English:Upper League) is currently the third tier of ice hockey in Germany. For the 2014-15 season, the Oberliga is split into four different divisions.

Oberliga may refer to:

• Oberliga (football), currently the fifth tier of the German football league system, formerly the first.
• DDR-Oberliga, the first tier of football in East Germany until 1990, replaced by the NOFV-Oberliga.
• NOFV-Oberliga, replaced the DDR-Oberliga in 1990, now the fifth tier of football in the region.

• Oberliga (ice hockey), formerly the first tier, now the third tier of ice hockey in Germany.