The league was founded in 1988, and has operated every year since, although it has undergone several changes in format and names including; Primera Iberdrola (formerly Liga Femenina Iberdrola for sponsorship reasons), Superliga Femenina, División de Honor, and Liga Nacional.

The league was founded in 1988 as Liga Nacional, formed by Olímpico Fortuna, Puente Castro, Parque Alcobendas, Santa María Atlético, Vallès Occidental, RCD Españyol, FC Barcelona, CE Sabadell and Peña Barcelonista Barcilona.

At the time it was proposed, with the intention to replace the league for the next (2001–02) season, the clubs also threatened to boycott Federation competitions if it was not accepted.

Rayo Vallecano won the 2009–10 and 2010-11 finals, both times against RCD Españyol.

Starting in the 2011–12 season, the league was renamed to Primera División and the group-based system was eliminated; 18 teams played double round-robin to decide the champion.

[9] On 10 June 2020 the Primera División was granted professionalised league status.

[11] The opening fixture of the 2023−24 season, set for 8 September 2023, was cancelled in the wake of strike called by five players unions.

For a timeline of each team's league record, see List of women's football clubs in Spain.