Christchurch United FC and Auckland FC have been named as New Zealand's representatives in the OFC Professional League. Photo: Photosport
Auckland FC and Christchurch United FC are among the eight clubs that have won bids to contest the first-ever professional football league in the Oceania region next year.
Bula Boys FC (Fiji), Hekari United FC (Papua New Guinea), Solomon Kings FC (Solomon Islands), Tahiti United FC (Tahiti) and Vanuatu FC (Vanuatu) are all also confirmed as preferred candidates for the OFC Professional League.
South Melbourne FC has been selected to represent Australia as the sole team from outside the OFC region.
The clubs were chosen from 24 applicants based on the recommendations of the Independent Club Licensing Committee. The eight chosen clubs are still subject to the final stages of the licensing and compliance process before full confirmation.
The OFC Professional League will kick off on 10 January 2026 with teams competing in a circuit series format, held across the Pacific.
The League will also serve as Oceania's qualifier for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029.
OFC general secretary Franck Castillo said the league was "a historic moment for Oceania football'.
"For the first time, our region will have a professional league that provides a pathway for players, coaches, and clubs to compete at the highest level within the Pacific.
"The eight preferred clubs represent the diversity and passion of our Member Associations, and while there are still final steps to be completed, today marks a major milestone on our journey towards January 2026."
The first OFC Professional League season will run from January through to May with each club playing a minimum of 17 matches.
The competition will feature five circuit series rounds. After the circuit series phase, teams will be split into two playoff groups: Leaders and Challengers.
The Leaders Playoff Group will see the top four teams battle for three of the four semi-final spots, whilst the Challengers Playoff Group will involve the remaining teams, with the top side earning a playoff match against the fourth-placed team from the Leaders Group to determine the remaining semi-final berth.
The semi-finals and the final will be single-leg knockout matches.
Meanwhile, the Wellington Phoenix are "immensely disappointed" to have not been selected for the OFC Professional League in 2026.
The Phoenix were informed on Friday that while their submission met the minimum licensing requirements, it received a lower score than Auckland FC and Christchurch United.
Phoenix general manager David Dome said the club, which is the largest professional football club in Oceania, were digesting OFC's decision and is seeking further information as to how both Auckland and Christchurch received higher scores.
Dome said it was "nonsensical" that the A-League club was not included.
"The Phoenix have fought for football in Oceania since 2007. We are the only club in the OFC region with a fully staffed, eight team professional academy, the only club in Oceania with a professional pathway for women's footballers, we have world class training facilities and we have invested more money into football in the region than any other private organisation.
"We are considering a judicial review of the process and how the licensing decision has been made."
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