In 1996 the Nova Scotia Senior Football League was formed. The creation of this league revived community based adult tackle football after an absence of 30 years. The N.S.S.F.L. operated as a four team league until the end of 2001.  In 2002 the remaining two teams, the Halifax Shockers and the Halifax Buccaneers, played an interlocking schedule with the three teams of the second year New Brunswick Senior Football League. By 2003 only the Shockers were operating in Nova Scotia. They played games against the four teams in the New Brunswick Senior Football League.
       In 2004 the Dartmouth Knights and P.E.I. Privateers franchises were formed, bringing the number of teams outside New Brunswick to three. The name Maritime Football League was used in 2004 and then changed to Eastern Football Conference in 2005.
         In 2007 a decision was reached to abolish the conference structure of the Maritime Football League. Henceforth the the EFC Cup was be awarded to the Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island team finishing highest in the final regular season standings of the Maritime Football League.
        In 2009 the league divided into Eastern and Western Conferences. The EFC Cup was be awarded to the team finishing first in the Eastern Conference regular season standings.
        In 2010 the EFC Cup was awarded to the N.S.-P.E.I. team finishing highest in the regular season standings.
        In 2011 the EFC Cup was be awarded to the team finishing first in the Eastern Conference regular season standings.