The league was formed in a move to improve the organisation of football in Southern Germany in the early 1900s.

Within the structure of the Southern German football championship, four regional leagues were gradually established from 1908, these being: Until then, regional leagues had existed which send their champions to the Kreis finals and, from there, the winners went on to the Southern and German championships.

In the last pre-First World War season, 1913–14, with the SpVgg Metz, a club from Lorraine joined the league.

A Westkreis championship as well as a Southern German one was played, but no national title games were held.

Lorraine ceased to be a part of Germany and the German football league system, being awarded to France.