The teams are divided into Western and Eastern divisions, with Iqaluit, Kuujjuaq, Repulse Bay, & Rankin Inlet representing the East; Hay River, Inuvik and Yellowknife representing the West. 

Teams will compete over a series of eight consecutive weekends in a best-of-five-games series playing both home and away games, reaching a division champion.  The Eastern and Western division champions will then face off in another best-of-five series with the top two teams in each division advancing to the playoffs to vie for Northern Hockey Challenge Cup.