The original Gateway Conference was founded as a women's athletics organization in August, 1982. The Gateway football division was born on August 21, 1985. In July of 1992, the league assumed its new name - Gateway Football Conference - as the women's programs realigned with their men's counterparts in their respective conferences, with most of the schools realigning in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Then 2008 name change represented the second name change for the football league.  Initially, the conference competed as the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference (1985-91) and the Gateway Football Conference (1992-2007).  Although the league will share the Missouri Valley name, the football-playing members will compete under a separate administrative umbrella, as the Missouri Valley Conference and the Missouri Valley Football Conference will remain separate entities.

Members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (and initial year of membership) include Illinois State University (1985), Indiana State University (1986), Missouri State University (1985), North Dakota State University (2008), the University of Northern Iowa (1985), South Dakota State University (2008), Southern Illinois University (1985), Western Illinois University (1985), and Youngstown State University (1997).

Five Missouri Valley Football Conference members also compete in the Missouri Valley Conference (Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, and Southern Illinois).  Three league schools compete in the Summit League (North Dakota State, South Dakota State, and Western Illinois), while Youngstown State competes in the Horizon League for its other sports.

The Missouri Valley Football Conference is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo.   Patty Viverito has been the conference commissioner since 1982.