A network device can utilize multiple priority arbiters to support different programmable priorities for different virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) subsystems. Each priority arbiter can be logically connected to all the VRF subsystems in the network device. Each priority arbiter can support a set of features corresponding to functional requirements of a VRF subsystem. A particular priority arbiter can be selected from the multiple priority arbiters based on an association of the VRF subsystem to that priority arbiter.