Prior to the 2015 season it was known as the Northern Premier League and for sponsorship reasons as the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League. Between 2001-2012 the Southern and Northern Premier Leagues were the state's highest level of soccer competition. In this period the top four teams from the Northern Premier League and the top four teams from the Southern Premier League play off in a knock-out final series to decide the state champion. This system came into existence in 2009 and replaced the previous system whereby the Northern and Southern champions played off. The Northern Championship is determined by the team finishing top of the ladder being named league champion, in contrast to many Australian competitions which use a finals series.
There is no promotion or relegation in the Northern Championship.
