It is organised by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and contested by eight city-based franchise teams.

In July 2015, the R M Lodha committee appointed by the Supreme Court, suspended the Chennai based Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings for a period of two years due to the association of their owners with illegal betting.

Following the same, the TNCA announced the inaugural edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

[4] On 1 May 2016, the TNCA invited bidders for the franchise rights with the base price set at ₹12.5 million (US$140,000).

[5][7][8] In June 2016, the TNCA announced that the first season would consist of 27 matches to be played in August–September across three cities Chennai, Tirunelveli, and Dindigul with the player draft to be held in July.

[7][11] Since the second season, a new system was introduced in which the eight teams played against each other in the league phase in round-robin format and the top four qualified for the playoffs.

The top two teams from the league phase play against each other in the first qualifier match with the winner progressing to the final.

[17][18][19] Until 2020, the Board of Control for Cricket in India prevented TNCA from including outstation players in the league.

The franchises expressed concerns regarding the lack of outstation players' participation, quality of umpiring, unavailability of players who represent India and matches being held in smaller venues, which affected the viewership for the league and the television rating points.

[26][27][28] In response, the TNCA states that it already shares 80 per cent of the telecast and sponsorship fees with the franchises and gains only a net of ₹50 million (US$580,000) from the TNPL after meeting all expenses.

[30][31] A tender for new title rights sponsor was released in March 2020 and was awarded to the Shriram Group.

[5] In 2016, Star India acquired the media rights for ₹71 million (US$820,000) for a minimum period of five years.

[45] Tuti Patriots became solely owned by Selvakumar after two of the three owners moved out and was the team was renamed as Salem Spartans.

[46] Kanchi Veerans franchise was also sold to Crown Forts and was known as Nellai Royal Kings after shifting its base to Tirunelveli.