The Amateurliga Südwest was formed in 1952 in the southern half of the state of Rheinland-Pfalz.

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

From 1952 until the establishment of the Oberliga Südwest in 1978, it was the third tier of the football league system.

Until 1933, the region covered by the Südwest FA was politically part of two other German states.

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

FC Kaiserslautern II holds the record for years in the league, having spent 21 continuous seasons in it from 1957 to 1978.