Wikipedia
The Regionalliga is the fourth tier of football in the German football league system. Until 1974, it was the second tier of the league system before being disbanded. The Regionalliga was then re-introduced as the third tier of the system in 1994. Upon introduction of a new nationwide 3. Liga in 2008, it was demoted to the fourth level of the pyramid.
The five Regionalligas are the third-tier leagues in German women's football. In each division the champion will be promoted to the 2. Bundesliga in the next season.
The Regionalliga is the fourth level of ice hockey in Germany. It was founded in 1961 as the Gruppenliga, and was renamed the Regionalliga for the 1965-66 season. From 1961-1973, it operated as the third level of German ice hockey, before being dropped to the fourth level for the 1974-75 season. For 2013-14, there were five regions of the league, the Regionalliga West, Regionalliga Nord, Regionalliga Ost, Regionalliga Südwest, and the Bayernliga.