The Thüringenliga was established in 1990 as the Landesliga Thüringen from fourteen clubs as a highest league for the German state of Thuringia, which was established after the league in October 1990, and the Thuringia Football Association, TFV (German: Thüringer Fußball-Verband).

It comprised the area of the three Bezirksligen of Erfurt, Gera and Suhl.

It some years the number does however vary to balance out promotion and relegation.

This was done so simply by choice of the local football associations (German:Fußballverband) in Saxony and Thuringia and the name could be changed to Verbandsliga if they wish to do so.

Most of the East German clubs changed their names in the years after the reunion, some reverting to their old ones after a brief period.