The competition was known as the NRFL Premier until 2021, when New Zealand's football league system was restructured.

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 September and December.

[1] The first few season were dominated by Auckland City after replacing sister club Central United at the dissolution of the New Zealand Football Championship.

[6] This list consists of past or present notable players that have either represented an international team, or made more than fifty appearances at a professional level in their careers.