The 1964--65 season saw three new clubs in the league, Eintracht Gelsenkirchen and Homberger SV, promoted from the Verbandsliga, while Preußen Münster had been relegated from the Bundesliga to the league.
The 1964--65 season saw two new clubs in the league, Germania Metternich, promoted from the Amateurliga, while 1. FC Saarbrücken had been relegated from the Bundesliga to the league.