On 1 December 2011, it was reported that the cup rules were approved.

In 2015 FNL Cup the clubs was divided into four groups.

[citation needed] It is not mandatory for FNL clubs to participate, and in cases when some do refuse to, Russian Professional Football League or Russian Premier League teams are invited to fill the spots.

In the 2016 edition, FC Volgar Astrakhan fielded two squads.

[citation needed] * In the final match, FC Tambov did not play in the main team (the main squad of FC Tambov left the tournament early).