Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Norwegian First Division.

The structure and name of Eliteserien, along with Norway's other football leagues, has undergone frequent changes.

The top level was renamed Hovedserien in 1948, 1. divisjon (now used by the second-level league in Norway) in 1963, then Tippeligaen (named for the main sponsor) in 1990.

Seventeen clubs have won the title since the inception of the league in 1937: Rosenborg (26), Fredrikstad (9), Viking (8), Lillestrøm (5), Molde (5), Vålerenga (5), Bodø/Glimt (4), Brann (3), Larvik Turn (3), Lyn (2), Start (2), Strømsgodset (2), Fram Larvik (1), Freidig (1), Moss (1), Skeid (1) and Stabæk (1).

In 2010, Rosenborg became, and still remain, the only club to complete an Eliteserien campaign without losing a single game.

Since its establishment as a one-group top flight in 1963, forty-eight clubs have competed in Eliteserien.

Starting in 1937–38, the various regional leagues in Southern Norway were aligned into eight districts, with a championship playoff between the winners to crown a national champion.

In the early years, the top flight teams were divided into eleven groups from eight districts.

From the 1937–38 season and until the beginning of World War II, the teams were divided into eight district groups.

In 1948, Hovedserien (English: The Main League) was created, consisting of the 16 top teams from the district leagues, who were placed into two groups of eight, with the group winners playing a two-legged final for the national championship at the end of the season.

Officially still known as Hovedserien, the 1961–62 season is often referred to as Maratonserien ("The Marathon League") due to its unusual length.

The first regular one-league season was played spring-autumn and was won by title defenders Brann in 1963.

During the first years of Rosenborg's thirteen-year run, they won the league with substantial margins, only partly challenged by Bodø/Glimt, Molde, Lillestrøm and Brann.

However, in 2005 the winning streak came to an end as Vålerenga clinched the title, one point ahead of Start of Kristiansand.

[8] Rosenborg won the league four consecutive times from 2015 to 2018, before Molde ended their streak by winning the title in the 2019 season.

Lillestrøm were relegated from the 2019 Eliteserien and ended their record spell with 45 consecutive top division seasons.

Rosenborg (11 times) and Molde (once) are the only Norwegian clubs to participate in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Below is a list of the gold, silver and bronze medalists in the Norwegian top flight since its beginning in 1937–38.

The following medals have been awarded: Note: 1 First season when North Norwegian teams were allowed to play in the top division.

[3] In December 2020, TV 2 acquired the broadcasting rights from 2023 to 2028 in a deal worth NOK 4.5 billion.

Since the competition format was changed to a one-group top flight in 1963, Eliteserien football has been played in 56 stadiums.

Since the opening of Vålerenga's new stadium Intility Arena in August 2017, no clubs in Eliteserien use Ullevaal Stadion as their home ground.

Their influence varies from club-to-club and is related to the structure of the club and the relationship of the manager with fans.

[14] The UEFA Pro Licence is required by every person who wishes to manage a club in the Eliteserien on a permanent basis.

The winners of the previous calendar year's Eliteserien enter the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, while the cup winners enter the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.

In the 2013–2014 season, Norway also had an additional place in the first qualifying round of the Europa League due to its fair play ranking.

12 October 1985 saw the record for highest attendance at a match, with 28,569 in the game between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm at Lerkendal Stadion.

[41] The big trophy was introduced in 2012 and all winners from 2012 and onwards will get its club's name engraved on it.

The ribbons that drape the handles are presented in the team colours of the league champions that year.