The competition was initially founded in opposition to the FIGC by the clubs of Northern Italy, which disagreed the old format of the championship, based on plethoric regional groups.
The Lega Sud (Southern League) had its own Seconda Divisione too, but it was simply the old Promozione which changed its name.
Because of the fascist Viareggio Charter, in 1926 the Seconda Divisione became the third Italian championship, as it happened in England in 1992.
It was organized by two authorities, the Direttorio Divisioni Inferiori Nord (Lower Division Directory North) and the South one.
In 1935 with the creation of the Serie C championship the Seconda Divisione became the fifth level of the Italian football, and it was reduced to a local tournament.