1970-71 saw the introduction of a new format.
Divisions • Division One: 16 teams. Split into two groups of 8. • Division Two: 16 teams. Split into two groups of 8.
Round-robin format Each team played every other team in its division (or group where the division is split) once, either home or away.
Points awarded 2 points were awarded for a win and 1 for a draw.
Titles • Teams in Division One competed for the
National Football League title. • Teams in Division Two competed for the
National Football League Division Two title.
Knockout stage structure In the semi-Finals, the match-ups were as follows: •
Quarter-final 1: First-placed team in Division One (A) v Second-placed team in Division One (B) •
Quarter-final 2: Second-placed team in Division One (A) v First-placed team in Division One (B) The final match-up is: Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2.
Separation of teams on equal points In the event that teams finish on equal points, then a play-off will be used to determine group placings if necessary, i.e. where to decide relegation places or quarter-finalists. ==Group stage==