Oberliga - Hessen (Germany)

Oberliga Hessen (Lotto Hessenliga) - the top league at state level in Hesse within the German league system, organised by the Hessischer Fußball-Verband and positioned one tier below Regionalliga Südwest. Regulations: the competition typically features 18 clubs in a double round-robin format (home and away), with 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss. If teams are level on points, HFV tie-breakers apply: for two teams, head-to-head is assessed first (points, then head-to-head goal difference), followed by overall goal difference and overall goals scored, with a deciding match possible for positions that directly affect promotion or relegation; for three or more teams, a mini-table of head-to-head matches is used (points, goal difference, goals scored), then the head-to-head result between the remaining fully level teams is applied, followed by a fallback to overall goal difference and goals scored, and a deciding match may be used if required. The champion earns the right to promotion to Regionalliga Südwest subject to licensing and admission, and if the champion is not admitted or waives promotion the right can pass down to 4th place; the runner-up is entitled to play the promotion or relegation play-off for Regionalliga Südwest with the same pass-down option to 4th. Relegation from the league is capped by a season-specific maximum and depends on movements between tiers, with a league place potentially decided via a play-off against the three Verbandsligen (Nord, Mitte, Süd) under the season’s approved play-off format.