The NFL was first held in 1925-1926, 38 years after the first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, with Laois being the first winners. The League has traditionally played second fiddle to the All-Ireland, with most counties using it as a warm-up for the All-Ireland. This was not helped by the fact that the League was played in winter (November-March usually) while the championship had the more attractive summer dates and knockout structure.
In 2002 the league was changed to a February-April calendar, which has increased interest with attendances growing and live games broadcast on TG4. The 2007 season will be broadcast live on Setanta Sports.
The National Football League winners receive the Irish National Insurance Cup. It was first presented in 1929 to Kerry. Kerry are the most successful team in the League playing in the final 22 times and winning it 18 times, both of which are records. They also are the team that most often won the "double" (winning both the League and All-Ireland Senior Football Championship).
| Division 1 Mayo | Donegal | Westmeath | Kerry | Derry | Dublin | Tyrone | Galway |
| Division 2 Armagh | Kildare | Cork | Laois | Monaghan | Wexford | Fermanagh | Meath |
| Division 3 Offaly | Cavan | Louth | Down | Limerick | Longford | Roscommon | Tipperary |
| Division 4 Antrim | Leitrim | Clare | Carlow | Kilkenny | London | Sligo | Waterford | Wicklow |
| County | Winners | Runners-up | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerry | 18 | 4 | 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1959,1961, 1963, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1984, 1997, 2004, 2006 |
| Mayo | 11 | 4 | 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1949, 1954, 1970, 2001 |
| Dublin | 9 | 11 | 1953, 1955, 1958, 1964, 1976, 1978, 1987, 1991, 1993 |
| Meath | 7 | 9 | 1933, 1946, 1951, 1975, 1988, 1990, 1994 |
| Derry | 6 | 4 | 1947, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2008 |
| Cork | 5 | 5 | 1952, 1956, 1980, 1989, 1999 |
| Down | 4 | 4 | 1960, 1962, 1968, 1983 |
| Galway | 4 | 5 | 1957, 1965, 1967, 1981 |
| Laois | 2 | 1 | 1926, 1986 |
| Cavan | 2 | 5 | 1948, 1950 |
| Tyrone | 2 | 1 | 2002, 2003 |
| Armagh | 1 | 3 | 2005 |
| Longford | 1 | 0 | 1966 |
| Monaghan | 1 | 1 | 1985 |
| Roscommon | 1 | 2 | 1979 |
| Offaly | 1 | 2 | 1998 |
| Donegal | 1 | 3 | 2007 |