Bistumsliga Berlin

Bistumsliga Berlin e.V. is a Catholic recreational football league based in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1990 when representatives of several existing Catholic football teams from different parishes of the Diocese of Berlin met to discuss organizing a regular championship to replace the friendly matches that had been played for years. Nine teams formed the first league in autumn 1990 and competed for the title of Bistumsmeister (diocesan champion). The first season 1990/91 was won by the team Brandenburg from the parish Heilige Dreifaltigkeit in Brandenburg an der Havel. The league grew steadily. In its second year, 13 teams participated; by 1992/93 there were 15 teams, allowing the addition of a second division. The largest increase came in 1995/96 with 29 teams, requiring a restructuring: the 2. Liga was split into Staffeln A and B and a 3. Liga was added. In 1997/98, a 4. Liga was introduced to accommodate 43 teams. In 2001/02 the structure was simplified: the split of the 2. Liga was abolished and a 5. Liga was created. In 2006/07 a 6. Liga was introduced, following an unofficial waiting-list league the previous season. At its peak, the league had seven divisions; by 2016/2017, participation had declined and five divisions were active. Beyond the regular championship, the Bistumsliga organizes several cup competitions. The Bistumscup was added in 1992/93, the Ligapokal in 1994/95 (the only fully knockout competition), the Hallen-Masters in 1997/98 (first held on 24 and 31 January 1998 in the halls of Alte Försterei), and the Interbistumscup in 2000/01, which allows teams to compete with teams from the Cottbus area. An ISC match between a Bistumsliga selection and a women's team did not become established. The league is notable for its inclusive character. As one of the first originally church-organized projects, it was opened to all interested parties regardless of faith or nationality. Today, alongside Christian teams, many teams and players of other religions and nationalities participate. The league is organized by the registered association Bistumsliga Berlin e.V. and operates in the region of the Archdiocese of Berlin.

The Bistumsliga Berlin was founded in 1990 when representatives of several existing Catholic football teams from various parishes of the Diocese of Berlin met to discuss organizing a regular football championship among themselves. This championship was intended to replace the friendly matches that had been taking place for years. Nine teams formed a league in autumn 1990 and began play for the title of Bistumsmeister. The first season 1990/91 was won by the team Brandenburg from the parish Heilige Dreifaltigkeit in Brandenburg an der Havel. Although the new league initially went largely unnoticed by the public, interest grew quickly in other parishes. In its second year, the number of teams participating in the Bistumsmeisterschaft rose to 13. A further increase to 15 teams in the 1992/93 season allowed the championship to be expanded by an additional division. The most significant growth occurred in the 1995/96 season, when 29 teams participated, requiring a restructuring and further expansion of the league system. The 2. Liga was split into Staffeln A and B and a 3. Liga was added. This new structure allowed the admission of five more teams in the following season. In the 1997/98 season, the Bistumsmeisterschaft had to be expanded again by a fourth division to integrate all 43 participating teams. This structure was maintained until the 2001/02 season. In that season, the league leadership decided to change the structure again, not to accommodate new teams but to simplify the league structure. The split of the 2. Liga was abolished and a 5. Liga was created. The linear arrangement of divisions improved clarity and allowed new leagues to be added easily if needed. This option was used in the 2006/07 season with the introduction of a 6. Liga. Already in the previous season, the organizers had recognized the high demand for an additional division and had created an unofficial 6. Liga, the so-called waiting-list league. At its peak, the league had seven divisions in one season, but currently participation numbers are declining and in the 2016/2017 season five divisions are playing. In addition to the championship, other tournaments were developed. When the nine founding members came together in autumn 1990, their sole aim was to hold a championship. As the number of registered teams increased, calls for other tournament formats grew. In the 1992/93 season, only two years after the founding, the first cup competition was added to the schedule: the Bistumscup, which quickly became popular and established itself permanently. The steady increase in teams continued, and in the 1994/95 season the organizers launched a second cup tournament. With the first edition of the Ligapokal, they created the only competition of the Bistumsliga that is fully played in a knockout system. The introduction of the Ligapokal was also sustainably successful. Despite this success, no further tournament was added until the 1997/98 season. Due to the growing popularity of indoor football and the opportunity to bridge the winter break of league play, the Hallen-Masters was introduced. The first edition took place on 24 and 31 January 1998 in the halls of the Alte Försterei. The Hallen-Masters completed the tournament schedule of the Bistumsliga in Berlin and is therefore the youngest regional tournament. The Interbistumscup has the shortest history as a competition. Since the 2000/01 season, this tournament has offered teams of the Bistumsliga Berlin the opportunity to compete with teams from the greater Cottbus area beyond diocesan borders. Although it is the smallest competition in terms of participating teams, the Interbistumscup quickly established itself in the tournament schedule. The ISC, a match of a Bistumsliga selection against a women's team, did not become permanently established. The Bistumsliga Berlin has received particular attention in the past especially because of its inclusive character. As one of the first originally church-organized projects, the association was opened to all interested parties regardless of faith or nationality some time ago. Therefore, today alongside Christian-influenced teams, many teams and players of other religions and various nationalities participate in the league.

• 2016

  By the 2016/2017 season, participation declines and five divisions are active.

• 2006

  A 6. Liga is introduced in the 2006/07 season, following an unofficial waiting-list league the previous season.

• 2001

  League structure is simplified in the 2001/02 season: the split of the 2. Liga is abolished and a 5. Liga is created.

• 2000

  The Interbistumscup is introduced in the 2000/01 season, allowing matches against teams from the Cottbus area.

• 1998

  The Hallen-Masters indoor tournament is first held on 24 and 31 January 1998 in the halls of Alte Försterei.

• 1997

  A 4. Liga is added in the 1997/98 season to accommodate 43 teams.

• 1995

  Participation peaks at 29 teams in the 1995/96 season; the 2. Liga is split into Staffeln A and B and a 3. Liga is added.

• 1994

  The Ligapokal, the only fully knockout competition, is launched in the 1994/95 season.

• 1992

  Number of teams rises to 13; a second division is added in the 1992/93 season.

• 1992

  The Bistumscup, the first cup competition, is introduced in the 1992/93 season.

• 1991

  Team Brandenburg from the parish Heilige Dreifaltigkeit in Brandenburg an der Havel wins the first championship.

• 1990

  Nine Catholic football teams from the Diocese of Berlin form the Bistumsliga and start the first Bistumsmeisterschaft season 1990/91.

Inclusive Catholic recreational football league open to all faiths and nationalities.

• Bistumsmeisterschaft (diocesan championship)

  The regular league championship played in multiple divisions.

• Bistumscup

  First cup competition, introduced in 1992/93.

• Ligapokal

  Second cup tournament, introduced in 1994/95, fully knockout.

• Hallen-Masters

  Indoor football tournament introduced in 1997/98, first held in January 1998.

• Interbistumscup

  Tournament against teams from the Cottbus area, introduced in 2000/01.

1. 1Home - Bistumsliga Berlin e.V.bistumsliga.de
2. 2Bistumsliga Berlin - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Bistumsliga Berlin - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org