The series of games are played over the summer and autumn months with the league final currently being played at Nowlan Park in September. The prize for the winning team is the Matty Power Cup.
The league has 12 teams divided into two groups with six teams in each group. Each team in each group plays each other once with the top team in each group progressing to the final. Promotion and relegation between the senior league and lower leagues are a central feature, while a team's finishing position in the league impacts on the subsequent Kilkenny Senior Championship.
The title has been won at least once by 11 different teams. The all-time record-holders are Ballyhale Shamrocks, who have won a total of seven titles.