[3] The Champions Cup is the seventh major all-Ireland competition since Irish football was split into two jurisdictions following the partition of Ireland in 1921.

Linfield and Cliftonville declined the invitation to take part, citing inconvenient fixture scheduling and reduced prize money as their reasons for deciding not to enter.

As a result, Ballinamallard United and Coleraine were invited to take part instead, and the tournament did eventually take place – for what turned out to be the final time.

[4] The withdrawal of two high-profile Northern Ireland Football League clubs was a major blow for the competition, and raised doubts regarding its future.

However, the Northern Ireland Football League said they were surprised at the announcement, adding that discussions were still ongoing.

[8] A draw for the venue to host the final of the 2021 edition was held in October 2021, with the Aviva Stadium in Dublin drawn over Belfast's Windsor Park, while Linfield would face Coleraine in one Semi-final following 1st and 2nd placed finishes respectively in the 2020–21 NIFL Premiership, with the other Semi-final likely to be an all Dublin affair of Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick's Athletic as 1st and 2nd in the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division.