The league was known as the first division (1. divisjon) from 1984 to 1995, the league of the elite (eliteserien) from 1996 to 1999, and the top league (toppserien) from 2000.

Traditionally, Trondheims-?rn S.K. and Asker S.K. have been the two power-houses of Toppserien, with 7 and 6 championship wins respectively. Trondheims-?rn S.K. has finished in the top three 15 out of 21 times, while Asker S.K. has been among the top three 16 out of 21 times. In 1998, Asker S.K. managed the almost unthinkable, winning every single one of their 18 league games that season (Asker S.K. didn't win the double that season, however, as the club was knocked out of the semi-finals of the cup by Trondheims-?rn S.K.).