Jena, 05.03.2026. The dream of professional football continues in the Kernberge: FC Carl Zeiss Jena is among the top group of the Regionalliga Nordost that has submitted its licensing documents for the 3. Liga to the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) on time.
- Who: FC Carl Zeiss Jena & Lok Leipzig (application submitted); Hallescher FC & FSV Zwickau (waive)
- What: Submission of licensing documents for the 3. Liga
- When: On time in early March 2026
- Where: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Promotion Race Thins Out
Three of the four current top teams in the Regionalliga Nordost have taken the formal step and submitted their documents to the DFB in Frankfurt am Main. In addition to FC Carl Zeiss Jena, competitor Lokomotive Leipzig has also filed the papers for a potential promotion on time. Thus, both traditional clubs maintain their chance of returning to nationwide professional football.
In contrast, the withdrawal of two other league heavyweights is surprisingly clear. Hallescher FC (HFC) has officially waived the submission, thereby finally closing the chapter on promotion for the current season. FSV Zwickau has also not submitted an application for a 3. Liga license.
Admission to the 3. Liga is tied to strict economic, legal, and technical-organizational criteria of the DFB. Clubs must not only prove financial security for a complete professional season but also provide a stadium suitable for the third division (at least 10,000 seats, undersoil heating, floodlight requirements).
For FC Carl Zeiss Jena, at least the infrastructure no longer poses a hurdle after the successful and long-term complete renovation of the home Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld. The new arena in the Paradies meets the most modern requirements. Furthermore, the Regionalliga Nordost has the privilege this season that the champion is promoted directly and does not have to go through unpredictable relegation matches.
Source:
Regionalliga top group submits licensing documents for the 3. Liga – HFC and Zwickau waive
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.