The defending champions are Lae City, who won their sixth consecutive title with a 1–0 victory over Vitiaz United in the previous season's Grand Final.
[2] After initially deciding the league format would be the same as the previous season – one national league consisting of ten teams[3][4] – the Papua New Guinea Football Association and NSL board eventually reverted to a format that they had previously used in the 2015–16 season, splitting the league into two regional divisions, a Northern Conference and a Southern Conference, each with seven teams.
[5][6] Seven clubs returned from the previous season: six-time reigning champions Lae City, eight-time champions Hekari United, fourth-placed side Komara Gulf, Morobe United, Morobe Wawens, Star Mountain and Tusbab Stallions.
Grand Final runners-up Vitiaz United withdrew, citing financial difficulties.
A phoenix side, Lae City Dwellers, led by sacked Lae City FC coach Peter Gunemba, announced their return to the league in May 2021,[8] although there was an element of confusion as to which of the two sides had the right to claim the franchise's previous titles.