Before its inception, three separate leagues operated in the area as the highest level of play.

Until 1933, the region covered by the Rheinland FA was politically part of the now dissolved German state of Prussia.

The founder members were: In 1956 the league was split into a western and an eastern group with twelve teams each.

With the introduction of the Bundesliga in 1963 the Amateurliga was placed below the new Regionalliga Südwest but still retained its third-tier status.

In 1978, the Oberliga Südwest was formed to allow direct promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga Süd for the Amateure champion of the area.