It is at the second level of New Zealand Football behind the national association based New Zealand National League, and the highest level of club based football available to teams within the region.

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.

[2] Five teams from Mainland Premiership, which covers the top of the South Island to Christchurch and three teams from FootballSouth Premier League, covering from below Christchurch to the bottom of the South Island, will qualify.

The following records are from the 2021 season onwards after New Zealand Football changed the football league system in New Zealand.