The East Sussex Football League is an English association football competition for amateur teams based in East Sussex and south-west Kent.

The league was founded in 1896 consisting of seven founder members who were Brighton Athletic, Eastbourne Swifts, East Grinstead, Hailsham, Hastings, Lewes and North End Rangers (Brighton).

The league reformed in 1911, but membership remained low until the competition was abandoned due to the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

The league returned after the First World War and enjoyed a steady membership throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with Rock-a-Nore, Rye United and Sidley United winning the league during the period; Hollington United and Hastings Rangers, who have a long association with the league, also enjoyed successful seasons.

By 1939 the number of teams competing was up to 14, but the outbreak of World War II saw the league abandoned once again.

Teams from areas such as Alfriston, East Dean and Polegate played in the league during the 1970s, but numbers dwindled by the 1990s, with teams from this area seemingly opting to compete in the Mid-Sussex League.

Reserve and third teams from clubs playing at a higher level have competed in the league throughout its history, with Bexhill United, Little Common, Langney Wanderers and Westfield all having fielded reserve and third teams in recent seasons.

The league is currently sponsored by Macron Store Hastings, which provides all match balls for teams in the league, having previously been sponsored by the ADA restaurant, based in Hastings.

The league was split into two divisions for the 1939-40 season, with Hastings Rangers winning the play-off game between the Eastern and Western champions.