| Administrator(s) | Test and County Cricket Board |
|---|---|
| Cricket format | Limited overs cricket(40 overs per innings) |
| Tournament format(s) | League |
| Champions | Essex (1st title) |
| Participants | 17 |
| Matches | 136 |
| Most runs | 618 John Wright (Derbyshire) |
| Most wickets | 33 Anton Ferreira (Warwickshire) |
The 1981 John Player League was the thirteenth competing of what was generally known as the Sunday League. The competition was won for the first time by Essex County Cricket Club.