National League 2025

Themooseman

Tyler

So going back to a winter national league 2027. That might change up the Central League a bit! 

 Source?

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/08/13/mens-and-womens-national-leagues-face-major-changes/

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/08/13/south-island-clubs-push-for-more-involvement-in-new-national-league-structure/

Edwards (ChCh United coach) has voiced apprehension at the lack of communication between NZ Football and South Island clubs in a one-on-one setting since his arrival at Christchurch United in 2024.

“NZF came to us this year and had a meeting with us, and it was really good. But my question is ‘how often has that happened over the years?’ How often do Auckland clubs get together and speak to NZF?” he said.

Southern League clubs want to meet before the August meeting to discuss their priorities for the restructure.

“Hopefully, we can put together one collective voice and make sure that we’re heard,” Jansen (Nomads coach) said.

Look, if they want to insist on a regional gerrymander, then best to stick with the current setup

Doloras

Look, if they want to insist on a regional gerrymander, then best to stick with the current setup

Seems that the main issue with current setup, is that most just find the season too long. Fair comment really when most of the players are proper amateurs not shamateur, and not really capable/aiming to play at a higher level.

I think this is a positive move and needs to happen sooner rather than later. The difference between the top sides and bottom in each league is quite big, except maybe the Northern league. Will be interesting to see which clubs make the final cut and what will happen to the league structures below

I can't understand why anyone who has been around the traps for a while will be remotely surprised by this "restructure". Exhibit A the Superclub of the mid 1990s which replaced the old National League. A regional based competition with a national round. Lasted 3 years and had all the faults of the current set up. Was replaced by a club based Summer league , which was then replaced by a winter based North / South Island league , which was replaced by a summer based club National League , which was replaced by a summer based Franchise league , which was replaced by the current set up. History never repeats ? You wonder if the corporate types running NZ Football have any idea ? 

Will be interesting to see which of the proposals gets the go ahead - I'd be keen for one of the 2 that does away with the Finals series to just keep it as a straight league competition

chubbs

I can't understand why anyone who has been around the traps for a while will be remotely surprised by this "restructure". Exhibit A the Superclub of the mid 1990s which replaced the old National League. A regional based competition with a national round. Lasted 3 years and had all the faults of the current set up. Was replaced by a club based Summer league , which was then replaced by a winter based North / South Island league , which was replaced by a summer based club National League , which was replaced by a summer based Franchise league , which was replaced by the current set up. History never repeats ? You wonder if the corporate types running NZ Football have any idea ? 

What's your solution chubbs? They've basically tried everything and all of them have failed.

I don't think there is a perfect solution but it is interesting that we always end back with a club based national league. Perhaps the best of a bad lot. can't afford to have a national league and can't afford not to.
I watched my first National League game in 1970 - Western Suburbs v Mt Wellington at Evans Bay (where St Pats Town is now). Have seem all the various iterations, Also involved in administration of a National League club in the 80's and 90's.
Quite liked the 12 team league with 3 up 3 down .Real jeopardy meant that all games counted,

So if the proposal went ahead, the currently NZF-run Central League would revert to a Federation-run competition similar to CL2 and the WCL? With four CL teams going up to the proposed National League (Olympic, Miramar, Western and WeeNix on current standings), would there still be a viable CL2 once they move teams up to fill the space?

On the women’s side, interesting how they assume AFC will have a Reserves team up and running by then. Presumably the Nix Reserves (U20s) would take our spot in the National League alongside Welly United and Karori, leaving our U18s in the WCL but relatively stronger? I’ve always found it bizarre how the Ressies play in a youth league.

Simon B

So if the proposal went ahead, the currently NZF-run Central League would revert to a Federation-run competition similar to CL2 and the WCL? With four CL teams going up to the proposed National League (Olympic, Miramar, Western and WeeNix on current standings), would there still be a viable CL2 once they move teams up to fill the space?

On the women’s side, interesting how they assume AFC will have a Reserves team up and running by then. Presumably the Nix Reserves (U20s) would take our spot in the National League alongside Welly United and Karori, leaving our U18s in the WCL but relatively stronger? I’ve always found it bizarre how the Ressies play in a youth league.

 
Have they said what league a NL reserve team would be eligible for?

The proposal (PDF here) is pretty light on detail, so to be fair to NZF I’m speculating about a bunch of decisions they aren’t close to making yet.

It seems a safe assumption that the guaranteed slots for A-league clubs would go to their top amateur teams (i.e. Reserves), but for other entrants it’s not as simple as finishing top of their respective regional leagues:

So my example of them taking the top CL teams isn’t necessarily what would happen, but still I’d expect a big impact on the higher-tier regional competitions.

What I meant is perhaps perhaps say olympics reserve team could be in CL

Feverish

What I meant is perhaps perhaps say olympics reserve team could be in CL

This is what is imho likely. I do think it would be the end of CL2 thou.

Would it not be possible to cut both leagues down to 8~ teams? This would probably be sensible with the Southern League and Women's South Island League for example

Feedback was received that clubs would like to see the quality of the current competition increase, both on field and off field. Clubs would like to see an improvement in the quality of the playing fields and surrounding infrastructure, as well as the streaming of games and media coverage. The avenue to do this is through club licensing.

The avenue to doing this is increasing revenue. Not clear where that is going to come from?

Regular WC qualification boosts the coffers a little, and investing in the infrastructure of the top domestic level is a reasonable way to spend a chunk of it in my eyes.

Improve a select few grounds, put a decent product on TV and make it accessible to watch and clubs may be able to build bigger followings. 

Should improve the quality of the top level as well, making it a more viable platform to jump across to the A-League from.

If well executed, this could be great investment in the game in NZ. Half-assing it could wind up expensive though.

LT01

Would it not be possible to cut both leagues down to 8~ teams? This would probably be sensible with the Southern League and Women's South Island League for example

So 14 games? 18 is the sweet spot. Three rounds is a pretty crap approach too 

Feverish

LT01

Would it not be possible to cut both leagues down to 8~ teams? This would probably be sensible with the Southern League and Women's South Island League for example

So 14 games? 18 is the sweet spot. Three rounds is a pretty crap approach too 

Our seasons are so short at the top level. I would have thought 22 games would be the minimum for player development. I could imagine that 18 is a sweet spot for ground pre, costs and organisation, etc though.

Glad to see a proper national league back.

Even the good teams have been, in general from what I have seen, a dire watch this season. At the start anyway, things have improved as the seasons has appraoched the national round. Jeopardy from day one will help. Plus the standards, etc. Hopefully will be a watchable league. They need to ban turf and have minimums for ground presentation. i.e. it needs to look like a surrounded football ground, not one of 10 pitches at the commons.

I really wish NZF/NZS/NZFA would stop mucking around with our national league but I am happy to have a proper league back. I also hope it has representation from more the just Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and probably Hamilton.

As a child I got a bigger kick out of watching Waikato United play Nelson and Napier City Rovers or Hamilton FC playing Gisborne then either team playing Miramar or Mt. Wellington. 

Now that NZF has a fairly reliable income via long term WC qualification, lets spend some of this money in the regions; BoP, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Otago etc so that we can actually have a national league that represents the nation, not just NZ's four largest cities.

Can anyone fill me (us) in on the transfer regulations for the upcoming national round ? Have seen one movement already from non national league qualifier to a national league qualifier and can recall a few last season. For some reason I think it might be 2 ?

chubbs

Can anyone fill me (us) in on the transfer regulations for the upcoming national round ? Have seen one movement already from non national league qualifier to a national league qualifier and can recall a few last season. For some reason I think it might be 2 ?

In addition to players registered with the by the June 30 deadline, clubs that qualify for the National League Championship may add:

– Up to two under-20 players (born 2005 or later) from clubs didn't qualify;
– Players to replace any players who have left and joined professional clubs;
– Replacement goalkeepers in cases of injury or illness

Regulation 27 here

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/08/24/only-four-spots-left-as-clubs-claim-qualifying-places-in-mens-national-league/

Seven clubs have secured their places in this year’s Men’s National League after latest results from the three regional competitions.

Seven more clubs are still in the running to take the remaining four spots in the league, which has expanded to 11 teams this year.

The men’s National League will start during the last weekend of September, with a 10-round schedule deciding which two clubs will meet in the grand final.

The winner of the league will qualify to represent New Zealand in next year’s OFC Men’s Champions League.

Wellington Olympic have become the first club to win their regional league, clinching the Dettol Central League title with a 5-0 win against Island Bay United on Saturday.

It’s Olympic’s fifth Central League title in a row, and they are chasing a double when they contest the Delivereasy Chatham Cup final against Auckland United on Sunday September 7, 2025.

RESULTS: Saturday’s winners, scorers and latest league tables >>>>

Meanwhile, last year’s national champions, Auckland City, are at risk of missing qualification as four Northern League clubs — separated by a single point on the table — are vying for the two remaining spots.

In the Dettol Southern League, a three-way battle between Coastal Spirit, Cashmere Technical and Christchurch United continues to decide the regional title and which two clubs will go forward to the national competition.

Northern region
Five teams to participate
Automatic inclusion
Auckland FC Reserves

Qualified
Western Springs
Birkenhead United

In contention
With one more round of games to play, two of these four:
Auckland United
Auckland City
Eastern Suburbs
East Coast Bays

Central region
Four teams to participate
Automatic inclusion
Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Qualified
Wellington Olympic
Miramar Rangers
Western Suburbs

Southern region
Two teams to participate
In contention
Two from the following three will qualify:
Coastal Spirit
Cashmere Technical
Christchurch United

coochiee

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/08/24/only-four-spots-left-as-clubs-claim-qualifying-places-in-mens-national-league/

Seven clubs have secured their places in this year’s Men’s National League after latest results from the three regional competitions.

Seven more clubs are still in the running to take the remaining four spots in the league, which has expanded to 11 teams this year.

The men’s National League will start during the last weekend of September, with a 10-round schedule deciding which two clubs will meet in the grand final.

The winner of the league will qualify to represent New Zealand in next year’s OFC Men’s Champions League.

Wellington Olympic have become the first club to win their regional league, clinching the Dettol Central League title with a 5-0 win against Island Bay United on Saturday.

It’s Olympic’s fifth Central League title in a row, and they are chasing a double when they contest the Delivereasy Chatham Cup final against Auckland United on Sunday September 7, 2025.

RESULTS: Saturday’s winners, scorers and latest league tables >>>>

Meanwhile, last year’s national champions, Auckland City, are at risk of missing qualification as four Northern League clubs — separated by a single point on the table — are vying for the two remaining spots.

In the Dettol Southern League, a three-way battle between Coastal Spirit, Cashmere Technical and Christchurch United continues to decide the regional title and which two clubs will go forward to the national competition.

Northern region
Five teams to participate
Automatic inclusion
Auckland FC Reserves

Qualified
Western Springs
Birkenhead United

In contention
With one more round of games to play, two of these four:
Auckland United
Auckland City
Eastern Suburbs
East Coast Bays

Central region
Four teams to participate
Automatic inclusion
Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Qualified
Wellington Olympic
Miramar Rangers
Western Suburbs

Southern region
Two teams to participate
In contention
Two from the following three will qualify:
Coastal Spirit
Cashmere Technical
Christchurch United

It would make perfect sense if it were a 12 team comp and 3rd in the Southern League qualified.

Apart from the COVID-plagued 2020-21 season which only featured Canterbury United (1 out of 8 teams), it's the poorest South Island representation in the national league for a long time (2 out of 11 teams). 

Christchurch United are going to miss out, but we all know they're better than the Phoenix and Knights reserves sides, and probably better than a couple of the worse Central/Northern qualifiers too.

LT01

coochiee

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/08/24/only-four-spots-left-as-clubs-claim-qualifying-places-in-mens-national-league/

Seven clubs have secured their places in this year’s Men’s National League after latest results from the three regional competitions.

Seven more clubs are still in the running to take the remaining four spots in the league, which has expanded to 11 teams this year.

The men’s National League will start during the last weekend of September, with a 10-round schedule deciding which two clubs will meet in the grand final.

The winner of the league will qualify to represent New Zealand in next year’s OFC Men’s Champions League.

Wellington Olympic have become the first club to win their regional league, clinching the Dettol Central League title with a 5-0 win against Island Bay United on Saturday.

It’s Olympic’s fifth Central League title in a row, and they are chasing a double when they contest the Delivereasy Chatham Cup final against Auckland United on Sunday September 7, 2025.

RESULTS: Saturday’s winners, scorers and latest league tables >>>>

Meanwhile, last year’s national champions, Auckland City, are at risk of missing qualification as four Northern League clubs — separated by a single point on the table — are vying for the two remaining spots.

In the Dettol Southern League, a three-way battle between Coastal Spirit, Cashmere Technical and Christchurch United continues to decide the regional title and which two clubs will go forward to the national competition.

Northern region
Five teams to participate
Automatic inclusion
Auckland FC Reserves

Qualified
Western Springs
Birkenhead United

In contention
With one more round of games to play, two of these four:
Auckland United
Auckland City
Eastern Suburbs
East Coast Bays

Central region
Four teams to participate
Automatic inclusion
Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Qualified
Wellington Olympic
Miramar Rangers
Western Suburbs

Southern region
Two teams to participate
In contention
Two from the following three will qualify:
Coastal Spirit
Cashmere Technical
Christchurch United

It would make perfect sense if it were a 12 team comp and 3rd in the Southern League qualified.

Apart from the COVID-plagued 2020-21 season which only featured Canterbury United (1 out of 8 teams), it's the poorest South Island representation in the national league for a long time (2 out of 11 teams). 

Christchurch United are going to miss out, but we all know they're better than the Phoenix and Knights reserves sides, and probably better than a couple of the worse Central/Northern qualifiers too.

In Chatham Cup, Christchurch United did lose at home to Auckland Utd (admittedly in extra time) who might not qualify.  ( If only Nelson had not upset Birkenhead or the Chatham Cup was open from round of 16 or there was not a second cup competition featuring the 32 regional league sides so that the North v Central v South debate could have more evidence)

and you can't compare against the Phoenix/Knights reserve sides as they have different player eligibility regulations for regional and national phases so are stronger in the national phase.

A lot of the Weenix players have been rested through July-August, to give them a bit of a proper off season break, before the U20 World Cup and yes Championship National League phase. Same with AFC's reserve team, resting a number of U20 players. 

So yes you can expect both teams to be stronger in the National League phase, dependent alot on who is called into the Nix and AFC first teams. 

Added complication being the Championship phase starts September 27-28th, and NZU20s final pool game is 3rd October. And if NZ go through to the knock out phase they will be in Chile even longer.
 
So yes both Weenix and Auckland II will be weakened the first 2-3 weeks of the Championship phase. 

Does anyone know which weekend the National League starts - is it the 13/14th of Sep or the 20/21st?

SamCoughlan

Does anyone know which weekend the National League starts - is it the 13/14th of Sep or the 20/21st?

The NZF calendar (PDF) has both the men’s and women’s championship stages starting weekend of the 27th.

We have fixtures! See them here

Round 1
Miramar v AFC Reserves, David Farrington Park, 2pm Sep 27
Auckland Utd v Christchurch Utd, Keith Hay Park, 3pm Sep 27
Phoenix Reserves v Wellington Olympic, Fraser Park, 3pm Sep 27
Western Springs v Western Suburbs, Seddon Fields, 2pm Sep 28
Coastal Spirit v Birkenhead Utd, Tāne Norton Park, 5pm Sep 28
Bye: Auckland City

Lucky Olympic. Nix will have 9 players away at the U20 WC.
Some like LBS yes won't be playing any National League anyway.

Miramar to also benefit from Auckland II having 4 players in Chile.

When do U20 players get back? Nix Reserves v AFC Reserves is in round 2 and you wouldn't want both teams to be hampered by that, would ruin the spectacle somewhat.

Last pool game verus Japan is Friday 3rd Oct (Saturday 4th our time) so yes all 13 Nix and AFC players won't be back in NZ for that R2 NL match.

To be fair I think most of those 13 players have been rested through alot of the July-August re Central & Northern League matches. So both reserve teams maybe in reality not affected that much.

They should've had the Reserves derby during the final round on 7 December - so it plays the day after the A-League derby in Auckland - you'd get a bigger crowd that way with some Nix fans sticking around on the Sunday

SamCoughlan

We have fixtures! See them here

Round 1
Miramar v AFC Reserves, David Farrington Park, 2pm Sep 27
Auckland Utd v Christchurch Utd, Keith Hay Park, 3pm Sep 27
Phoenix Reserves v Wellington Olympic, Fraser Park, 3pm Sep 27
Western Springs v Western Suburbs, Seddon Fields, 2pm Sep 28
Coastal Spirit v Birkenhead Utd, Tāne Norton Park, 5pm Sep 28
Bye: Auckland City

Auckland City should be playing Cashmere Tech 😉

Christchurch United and Coastal Spirit will play in a warm-up game for the National League tonight. Good to see the Christchurch clubs helping each other out with match fitness.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/573693/new-zealand-s-amateur-football-league-is-attracting-hundreds-of-millions-in-offshore-betting

betting agencies will look for whatever event they can find for their punters to bet on.

theprof

betting agencies will look for whatever event they can find for their punters to bet on.

I'm not sure whether you guys are familiar with the European Cricket League (for those who're unfamiliar, a risible competition between teams of the top 11 IT guys in Barcelona vs Bratislava or some such), but it has better quality broadcast than a lot of NZ domestic cricket based precisely on gambling dollars (and is now at risk due to Indian law changes against that). And yeah, there's attempted match fixing.

The dilemma is similar to that we used to face with tobacco sponsorship. There's a pretty decent money flow but at what social cost?