It is held annually from early July to mid September and managed by the New Zealand Rugby Union, or NZRU.

Canterbury are the current holders of the JJ Stewart Trophy, the women's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield.

[1] The Farah Palmer Cup is an amateur competition; players are not paid salaries and hold jobs outside of rugby.

From 2011 to 2014, the semi-finals round was eliminated and the top two teams in the championship automatically qualified for the finals.

[3] In 2021 and 2022, the FPC reverted to its original format with all 13 teams being split into two divisions with a promotion and relegation system.