At present, all 12 Heartland Championship teams play 8 games over 8 weeks before the finals. Once finished, the top 4 advance to the Meads Cup finals. The teams ranked 5–8 play for the Lochore Cup. Previously, a pool system was used between 2006 and 2010.
Finals
The Meads Cup winner is determined in four-team single-elimination tournament. The semi-final matchups are seeded 1–4 and 2–3, with the higher seed receiving home field advantage. The highest remaining seed hosts the Meads Cup final.