The Central Conference is one of the two active conferences in the American Contract League (ACL). Established during the league’s 2025 expansion to 14 teams, the conference primarily consists of former members of the the High Plains and Great Lakes Divisions, along with the addition of a Michigan expansion franchise. The conference currently contains seven teams.

The Washington Geoducks emerged as the conference’s first dominant franchise, winning the inaugural ACL championship and quickly establishing themselves as the standard-bearers of the conference. Since the league’s realignment, the Central Conference has developed a reputation for parity, unstable franchises, and highly competitive divisional races.

The conference is also home to the league’s most-played rivalry, contested between South Dakota and Washington. Over the past four seasons, South Dakota has dominated the matchup, holding a 9–3 all-time record despite Washington’s greater postseason success. The rivalry has become one of the defining storylines of the conference and is widely regarded as one of the premier matchups in the ACL.

One of the conference’s most notable storylines involved the Ohio Good Sirs, who failed to qualify for the playoffs during all five seasons of the franchise’s existence. The organization’s prolonged struggles and league-worst record led to widespread ridicule among fans and media alike. Following the resignation of owner Wilson Kuhn at the conclusion of the 2025 season, the franchise ceased operations and was replaced in 2026 by Jack Sission’s Alaska Killer Whales expansion team.

Despite criticism regarding inconsistent management among several member clubs, the Central Conference has become known for producing some of the league’s most intense rivalries, chaotic franchise histories, and unpredictable postseason races.