Junior hockey in Germany consists of national competitions ranging in age from U16 to U21. The U11 and U13 classifications are conducted solely on a regional basis. There was formerly a U14 national championship contested during the 1980s. The Junioren-Bundesliga is the top-level of under 21 hockey in Germany. Below it there are several regional leagues in existence. U18 hockey in Germany is referred to as Jugend. The Deutsche Nachwuchsliga operates as the top-level U18 league, while the Jugend-Bundesliga operates below it. Multiple Regional leagues also exist at the U18 level.