Division 3 is the fifth level in the League System of Swedish Football and comprises 144 SwedishFootball teams. Division 3 had status as the official third level from 1928 to 1986 , but was replaced by Division 2 in 1987 . It then had status as the official fourth level until 2005 , but was replaced once again as Division 1 was recreated in 2006 .
THE COMPETITION
There are 144 clubs in Division 3, divided in 12 groups of 12 teams each representing a geographical area. During the course of a season (starting in April and ending in October) each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 22 games. At the end of each season the three lowest placed teams of each group are relegated to the regional Division 4 and thirty-six teams from the regional Division 4 leagues are promoted in their place while the fourth lowest placed teams in the Division 3 leagues plays promotion/relegation play-offs against teams in Division 4. The top team in each Division 3 group is promoted to Division 2 and the two lowest placed teams from each Division 2 league are relegated in their place. The second placed teams in each Division 3 group plays promotion/relegation play-offs against the third lowest teams in Division 2.
