Points are awarded based on wins, draws, ties and bonus points for runs and wickets in a team's first 100 batting and bowling overs, with the top two teams playing a final at the end of the season.

In 1891–92 the Earl of Sheffield was in Australia as the promoter of the English team led by W. G. Grace.

[2] Pura is a brand name of National Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bega Cheese.

The sponsorship increased total annual prize money to A$220,000, with the winners receiving A$75,000 and the runners up A$45,000.

[3] Weet-bix is a cereal biscuit manufactured by Sanitarium Health Food Company.

Matches were timeless (i.e. played to an outright result, weather and schedule permitting) up to 1926–27.

[8] In 1940–41, however, the Sheffield Shield was not contested but ten first-class “friendly” matches were played between the States for patriotic funds;[9] however financially these were unsuccessful.

[10] The Sheffield Shield was not contested during the 1941–42 Australian first-class season - instead an “Interstate Patriotic Competition” was held, with all proceeds going to the war effort.

Only one match was played (Queensland v NSW at the Gabba) before the competition was cancelled due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

[8] Since the 2018–19 summer, in the event of a draw or tie, the team which scores more first innings bonus points, based on the system used in regular season matches, wins the Shield.

Prior to the introduction of a Final in 1982–83, the team with most points after the home and away rounds was declared the winner.

Since the 2018–19 summer, in the event of a draw or tie, the team which scores more first innings bonus points, based on the system used in regular season matches, wins the Shield.