The league was called Landesliga-Hessen until 1950 and actually formed the second tier of southern German football.

Since introduction of the Regionalliga Süd in 1994, the winner of the Oberliga Hessen is automatically promoted to this league.

The Hessenliga also, at times, accommodated teams from Bavaria, Viktoria Aschaffenburg and FC Bayern Alzenau.

The previous league the Hessenliga was set below at, the Regionalliga Süd, was disbanded after the 2011–12 season.

The complete list of clubs and placings in the league since being renamed to Hessenliga in 2008: 1 Formerly TSV Lehnerz 2 Formerly Teutonia Watzenborn-Steinberg