Germany · Tier 2 · 18 clubs
2. Bundesliga
In US-sports termsGermany's second tier — regularly stuffed with fallen giants whose crowds would embarrass most top-flight teams anywhere else.
What it is
The second division — 18 clubs, and famous for hosting massive traditional clubs (Hamburg, Schalke, Hertha have all done stretches here) without their fans leaving.
How you get in
Relegated from the Bundesliga or promoted from 3. Liga.
What it feeds
Top 2 up automatically; 3rd plays the relegation playoff against the Bundesliga's 16th.
Second-tier German games regularly draw 50,000+. The pyramid doesn't dim the passion here — it just moves it downstairs.