TSV Havelse Third-Division Club: DFB Confirms License for 3. Liga

The background to the promotion is the failure of TSV 1860 Munich in the admission procedure. Following the end of the admission process, it is now also officially confirmed that TSV 1860 Munich must be relegated to the Regionalliga Bayern despite sporting qualification because it failed to meet the financial conditions. According to reports, the club was short by around 2.7 million euros in providing the required proof of liquidity. The outstanding amount is connected to the controversial investor Hasan Ismaik, who has been involved as a financial backer of the Munich club for years.

Timeline: 26 Days Between End of Season and Decision

The DFB's decision came 26 days after the final matchday of the 3. Liga, which after 38 matchdays had ended with the relegation of TSV Havelse, FC Erzgebirge Aue, and TSV 1860 Munich (on paper). Because 1860 Munich did not meet the financial requirements, an additional vacant position was created, which the association has now allocated to the highest-placed sporting relegee according to clearly defined rules.

Reaction from the North: NFV President Schaffert Speaks

Ralph-Uwe Schaffert, President of the North German Football Association (Norddeutscher Fußball-Verband, NFV), commented on the decision with a mixed view: "Einerseits ist es bedauerlich, dass Entscheidungen auf diesem Wege getroffen werden müssen, andererseits ist es aus norddeutscher Sicht natürlich erfreulich, dass der TSV Havelse eine weitere Chance in der Dritten Liga erhält." In doing so, he addressed a prevailing sentiment echoed in many comments: the sporting logic of the league table is overturned by another club's licensing decision — something that is not happening for the first time in German football.

At TSV Havelse itself, founded in 1912 and based at the Wilhelm-Langrehr-Stadion in Garbsen, which is not approved for 3. Liga matches, there is sober joy. The team coached by head coach Samir Ferchichi will play its home games next season at the Eilenriedestadion in Hanover. The squad comprises 33 players; Temilola Awoyale was recently listed as a transfer; the team's total market value is reported at 3.76 million euros. Even in the second half of the season just ended, the team had indicated on the pitch that it could compete in the league — the home match against Hansa Rostock on March 4, for example, drew 6,712 spectators to the Hannover 96 arena.

Erzgebirge Aue: Confirmed Relegation with a Bitter Aftertaste

On the losing side stands Erzgebirge Aue. The decision thus finally seals FC Erzgebirge's relegation to the Regionalliga Nordost. Board member Jens Haustein stated: "Wir haben uns ohnehin seit Wochen voll und ganz auf die Regionalliga konzentriert, somit ändert sich an unseren Planungen nichts. Es bleibt jedoch ein bitterer Beigeschmack, sowohl inhaltlich als auch zeitlich." The club had missed out on sporting qualification for the 3. Liga by a single point behind TSV Havelse in the final reckoning and must now come to terms with the fourth tier in the east.

Impact on the Regionalliga Nord: FC St. Pauli's U23 Moves Up

With TSV Havelse remaining in the 3. Liga, a spot in the Regionalliga Nord opens up. This will be taken by FC St. Pauli's U23, which moves up as the highest-placed sporting relegee from the Regionalliga into the 3. Liga — producing the reverse effect in the northern division. On social media, one user summed up the mood in a comment: "Da die Statuten aber nun einmal diese Konstellation erlauben, beglückwünsche ich den TSV Havelse zum nachträglichen Klassenerhalt. Leicht wird es für so einen kleinen Verein definitiv nicht, auch wenn die Rückrunde schon besser war."

Outlook: TSV 1860 Faces Second Relegation to the Regionalliga

For TSV 1860 Munich, it is the second relegation to the Regionalliga after 2017 — a notable parallel in the club's history that many fans view with concern. Head coach Markus Kauczinski faces the task of reshaping a squad of 33 players for the Regionalliga Bayern, while the club's financial problems are likely to continue overshadowing sporting planning.

The 3. Liga comprises 20 clubs and will kick off the 2026/2027 season with TSV Havelse as a prominent late entrant. The final composition is now set, even though the debate over the financial rules of the admission procedure is likely to continue occupying the association. From a northern German perspective, what remains above all is this: a club that stays in the league despite sporting relegation — and the certainty that in German professional football, things are not always decided only on the pitch.