The National Conference League consists of three divisions titled the Premier Division, Division One and Division Two. There is promotion and relegation between each division of three up and three down.

The league was founded as the BARLA National League for the 1986/1987 season with 10 teams: Dudley Hill, Egremont Rangers, Heworth, Leigh Miners Welfare (now Leigh Miners Rangers), Milford Marlins, Millom, Pilkington Recs, West Hull, Wigan St Patrick's and Woolston Rovers.

The league added a second division in 1989, and expanded to three divisions (now named premier, first and second as opposed to first and second) along with a rebrand to the current name of National Conference League in 1993.

Unlike the professional game, the majority of amateur Rugby League in Great Britain is played in the winter months, and the National Conference is a 'winter' league.