Glasgow University Union has been the most successful institution in the competition's history, winning the tournament 16 times, most recently in 2018.
The winners of these four regional competitions then go on to face each other in the International Final, which is held each spring to determine the overall champions.
Only the Scottish Mace (which served as the regional qualifier and national championship for Scotland) and the Irish Mace (which served as the regional qualifier and national championship for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) have continued.
Prior to the 2001–2002 academic year, England and Wales held a combined qualifying tournament for the International Final of the Mace.
After the 2000–2001 academic year, England and Wales began holding separate qualifying tournaments and the repechage was abolished.