Premiership (New Zealand) 2020/21

The New Zealand National League stands as the premier men's football competition in the country, organized by New Zealand Football. Operating at Level 1 of the national pyramid, it replaced the long-standing New Zealand Football Championship in 2021. The structure uniquely blends regional competition with a national finale. During the initial phase, teams contest leagues across the North, Central, and Southern regions. Progression to the national stage depends on regional standing, typically requiring the top four from the North, three from Central, and two from the South. Reserve sides from Australian A-League clubs also participate in this qualification process.

Once qualified, the teams enter a single round-robin group known as the National League Championship. The top two sides from this group advance to a single-match Grand Final to determine the national champion. Unlike systems relying on direct promotion and relegation, the pathway here is defined by regional performance. The regional leagues maintain their own internal promotion and relegation mechanisms with lower tiers, while the national title serves as the primary route to the OFC Champions League.

Auckland City FC holds the record for success in New Zealand football, securing multiple titles across both the former championship era and the current national league. Team Wellington previously held the position of second-most successful club with three titles before dissolving in 2021. The competition has undergone various name changes over the years, previously known as the ASB Premiership, Stirling Sports Premiership, and ISPS Handa Premiership. This evolution reflects its transition from a franchise-based model to the current hybrid format, which emphasizes regional representation within a unified national contest.