Each season, two clubs gain qualification to the OFC Champions League, the continental competition for the Oceania region.

[3] In March 2021, New Zealand Football announced a change to the structure of both the premiership and the top regional leagues around the country.

All teams that qualify plus the Phoenix Reserves, would then play a single round-robin competition between October and December.

[8] Qualified teams from Auckland and Waikato were unable to participate due to their alert levels.

[11][12] In September 2023, New Zealand signed a deal to have all National League games streamed for free on FIFA+ worldwide.

4K Sportway cameras have begun to be installed at grounds as of May 2024 with plans to broadcast over 200 games for the 2024 season.

As the 2021 season was cancelled, the 2021 South Central Series was not officially part of the National League.