It was first formed in 1995 as part of the National Conference when expansion led to the creation of divisions.
Las Vegas moved to American Conference's Western Division.
2008 Las Vegas moved back from Western Division as Cleveland Gladiators.
After the 2008 season, Columbus, Dallas, and New York folded while Philadelphia is suspended and the AFL is put on a one-year hiatus.
Cleveland Gladiators and Milwaukee Iron (renamed Mustangs) moved in from the Central Division (known as Midwest in 2010).
2014 Iowa joined the East Division after the League's expansion into Los Angeles and Portland, and the removal of the Utah Blaze and Chicago Rush.
2015 Iowa left to play in the Indoor Football League and Pittsburgh folded because of low attendance.
Due to the reduced number of participating teams, all AFL conferences and divisions were discontinued after the 2015 season.