1952–53 East German Liga season

The 1952-53 East German Liga season was the first season of the second-level competition in East Germany. Eight teams, divided into two groups, participated in the league, with the top team in each round qualifying for the promotion-relegation round to the DDR-Oberliga.

Liga Qualification Tournament
Prior to the season, a qualification tournament between the regional Bezirksliga winners was contested. The top four teams qualified for the Liga.

Relegation (Oberliga – Liga)
Here the bottom team from the Oberliga played against the group winners from the Liga in a round-robin competition. The first place finisher earned a spot in the Oberliga.