OFC Professional League

Thought I'd start a new thread here, as this new proposed league could well change the landscape for NZ club football scene, plus OFC Champions League.

Though hasn't been any rumours on any NZ clubs looking to enter. And it's clear the inclusion of any Australian NPL clubs/franchises (with Australian Govt backing) is as much about geo-political stuff (ie China) as football.

Personally I reckon NZF and the clubs, should give the league a miss. Bumpy pitches, the heat, potentially poor logistics - I don't see being in the league helping the development of football in NZ much. Better NZF devote some resources to hopefully getting a 3rd ALM club in ChCh off the ground, giving quality pro football in NZ a national footprint.

Though in solidarity with our fellow OFC members, NZF should be seen to support the league being established to help improve football in the Islands.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-ofc-professional-league-project-manager-appointed/

Expressions of interest for the OFC Professional League will open next month.

My thoughts are that if NZ is to have a team in this comp either go for a National League Allstars type deal where you just have a generic franchise and fill it with the best of the National League players from that year (assuming this is not on during the National League season of course)

Or have the Nix and AFC academy teams enter - doing this instead of the National League and maybe stopping the angst from other clubs about the academies taking the guaranteed spots. Also would potentially allow a pathway for the Nix and AFC to play in the OFC Champions League and therefore Club World Cup as well (although I don't know the intricacies around whether this would be allowed still as the Asian Confed may not allow it with them still in the A-League)

But of course keeping the academy teams in the National League may still be more beneficial to the players' development (better pitches, easier travel, better quality opponents?)

Another idea would be to do the generic franchise thing and make it the best Under 20 players from that year's National League

I don't really have the ball knowledge to say whether NZ wants a team in the league but if we do I'd be more than happy to watch.

tbh I don't see the harm in us having a fully professional team joining the league. Having more professional pathways for kiwi's can only be good for us, and at least we'd have a pro team that could play intercontinental unlike us and AFC

As has been stated above, I'm more than happy to see this league go ahead, moreso for the region/confederation overall rather than the tangible benefit we'll get in terms of development for young up and coming Kiwi players. If it weren't for the potential for Aussie & Hawaiian teams coming on board then I'd be more skeptical of the merits of the competition as a whole. I would however like to see more on the financial side of this league, as there is no way in hell any club could cover costs, let alone expect to break even, given the vastness of the competition. Great novelty having a competition that includes teams from OFC x AFC x CONCACAF though.

But hey, when it comes down to it, it's great experience for lads from this part of the world in a difficult footballing environment. This in terms of everything the guys will face off the pitch - heat, humidity, travelling between 3-9 hours for away games (it's about 9 hours one way to Honolulu btw) and then the pitches, facilities and everything else that comes with visits to the countries dotted around the Pacific. Australia and Honolulu will be fine, as they've got the sporting infrastructure, it'll just be more the travel aspect for those destinations.

Show me the financial model and I'll be sold on it. There will definitely be a New Zealand team in this league too. Have heard chatter of two, but definitely one at this stage.

I don't see how Australian participation will be compatible with the launch of the NST next October

Doloras

I don't see how Australian participation will be compatible with the launch of the NST next October

If it's FIFA backed I'd imagine that would sway a few who were on the fringes tbh - Particularly those who were overlooked for the NST due to financial considerations. 

Quite intrigued to see if any clubs from across the ditch throw their hat in the ring though. Don't think the OFC would have said anything about Australia if there wasn't at least some interest in the concept from across the Tasman. Easier to spend FIFA money than it is your own clubs finances, so why not? 

Of course we're still waiting to see how this league will be funded and all that, so plenty of if's but's and maybe's ahead.

The EOI meeting for NPL clubs was held in Brisbane. I'm gonna guess any Aussie team in this new comp will come from QLD or even Darwin. QLD & NT definitely have the closed ties to the Pacific in Australia.

From memory all the approved NST teams to date are from VIC & NSW.

And yeah the Australian Govt are throwing money into any multiple sporting Pacific ventures - see the new PNG NRL team announced. So yes between the Federal Govt & FIFA any Aus club/franchise may have all their costs paid for.

A good start would be getting all the games on one streaming service (which for some reason is a lot easier said than done). Doing that would make negotiating streaming rights pay a lot easier. 

Also with the inclusion of Australian teams and maybe one in Hawaii we're talking about tens of millions of potential viewers. If the Idea's pitched right and lot's of people watch then the league could get a huge boost from sponsorship money, which would be helped by getting everything one a single streaming service.

Noah4thenix

A good start would be getting all the games on one streaming service (which for some reason is a lot easier said than done). Doing that would make negotiating streaming rights pay a lot easier. 

Also with the inclusion of Australian teams and maybe one in Hawaii we're talking about tens of millions of potential viewers. If the Idea's pitched right and lot's of people watch then the league could get a huge boost from sponsorship money, which would be helped by getting everything one a single streaming service.

Fifa plus I suppose. I just don't buy there being a market for this competition that covers the costs of players and travel.

Noah4thenix

A good start would be getting all the games on one streaming service (which for some reason is a lot easier said than done). Doing that would make negotiating streaming rights pay a lot easier. 

Also with the inclusion of Australian teams and maybe one in Hawaii we're talking about tens of millions of potential viewers. If the Idea's pitched right and lot's of people watch then the league could get a huge boost from sponsorship money, which would be helped by getting everything one a single streaming service.

‘Tens of millions’. Admire your optimism 

This league will be levels below the A League let alone MLS. Many of the games on bumpy pitches in the heat will be a tough watch. Fans in the Islands will follow it. Some football trágics in NZ, Oz and Hawaii

The money will come from FIFA, Aus and USA Govts for geo political reasons, and yeah maybe an Aussie mining company in PNG or similar. Even the French Govt could throw some cash in. They prop up the New Caledonia and French Polynesia (Tahiti) economies already 

coochiee

Noah4thenix

A good start would be getting all the games on one streaming service (which for some reason is a lot easier said than done). Doing that would make negotiating streaming rights pay a lot easier. 

Also with the inclusion of Australian teams and maybe one in Hawaii we're talking about tens of millions of potential viewers. If the Idea's pitched right and lot's of people watch then the league could get a huge boost from sponsorship money, which would be helped by getting everything one a single streaming service.

‘Tens of millions’. Admire your optimism 

This league will be levels below the A League let alone MLS. Many of the games on bumpy pitches in the heat will be a tough watch. Fans in the Islands will follow it. Some football trágics in NZ, Oz and Hawaii

The money will come from FIFA, Aus and USA Govts for geo political reasons, and yeah maybe an Aussie mining company in PNG or similar. Even the French Govt could throw some cash in. They prop up New Caledonia and French Polynesia (Tahiti) already 

That's why I highlighted potentially, because realistically we won't be getting ALL of Oceania to watch.

I say good start but I more so mean good in terms of the situation. The region is so heavily dominated by rugby after all it'll be hard to wrestle people's attention.

Then again I guess you gotta have some optimism with a project so clearly doomed to fail such as this.

Half a Pint

My thoughts are that if NZ is to have a team in this comp either go for a National League Allstars type deal where you just have a generic franchise and fill it with the best of the National League players from that year (assuming this is not on during the National League season of course)

Or have the Nix and AFC academy teams enter - doing this instead of the National League and maybe stopping the angst from other clubs about the academies taking the guaranteed spots. Also would potentially allow a pathway for the Nix and AFC to play in the OFC Champions League and therefore Club World Cup as well (although I don't know the intricacies around whether this would be allowed still as the Asian Confed may not allow it with them still in the A-League)

But of course keeping the academy teams in the National League may still be more beneficial to the players' development (better pitches, easier travel, better quality opponents?)

Another idea would be to do the generic franchise thing and make it the best Under 20 players from that year's National League

I like the idea of the Nix and AFC reserve sides playing in this competition. Ultimately the All Whites have to succeed in the islands to qualify for World Cups. So can’t hurt our developing youth to be exposed to the climate and pitches.

I would be interested as to the make up of the league.

Let’s say 2 x Aussie, 2 x Kiwi, 1 x US (Hawaii). So probably 5 Pacific island teams. 

I’m just guessing, but likely Fiji, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, PNG. 

I would certainly watch, however I can’t see the level of football being much higher than our national league. 

Whatever happened to that "expressions of interest" from Aussie clubs? Did it just fizzle out or something?

It’s OFC, things won’t happen fast.
To be fair organising this comp over several different countries and maybe 3 Confeds (if is a Hawaii team) is a huge logistical challenge

The smart approach would be to let FIFA setup and run the league for first 1-2 years then hand over to OFC. FIFA have to cash, expertise and experienced staff to run successful comps. Going to some WWC games was an eye opener in to what an organising beast FIFA is

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/11/18/ofc-invites-interest-from-australian-clubs-for-new-oceania-professional-league/


With Football Australia, OFC held a briefing session in Brisbane on Tuesday (November 12) to share information about the Oceania pro’ league.

Also this from FB page of Sunshine Coast Fire FC who play in QLD NPL. The Fire are trying to also enter the proposed new NSD

I live on the Sunny Coast and there is an excellent stadium here that’s going to get a further upgrade for Brisbane Olympics

Makes sense for any Aussie teams in this OFC League to be based QLD or NT (Darwin)


🎥 SCFC YouTube Channel – Episode 127
Full-Time Academy Set-Plays & OFC Pro League Information Session

We also have a sneak peek at the OFC Pro League information session which was attended by our staff this week. Another likely EOI process in January 2025, which will coincide with the National Second Division and the UK Academy. The club looking to provide as many opportunities to its players as possible.

📺 Watch now: https://youtu.be/U-9Vv_6c3EM?si=VyPiMGjMbuSUTpgC
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on all things SCFC!

#MadeInTheSunshineCoast #TheFireWay

I commented last year that I thought this league wasn't an option unless the OFC purchased or chartered their own aircraft to fly teams around.

These are the only city pairs between Oceania capital cities with flights on 4 days a week or more 
Nadi - Apia :- Daily
Nadi - Nukualofa :Daily
Port Moresby : Honiara 5x a week

Otherwise 3 days a week or less (which involves multiple nights accomodation)
Rarotonga - Papeete : 3x a week
Noumea - Nadi : 2x a week
Honiara - Port Vila : 1x a week
Honiara - Nadi :1x a week
Port Vila - Nadi :1x a week
Port Vila - Noumea :1x a week
Noumea - Papeete :1x a week
Nadi - Papeete :1x a week

or you have connecting flights via AKL or BNE/SYD

Honolulu only has 2 flights a week to Pago Pago, and 1 flight a week to Nadi, Apia, Rarotonga, Papeete and so is no better.

I just can't see how such a league is logistically viable let alone financially

Another reason why OFC will want an Aussie team(s).

Qantas or Virgin fly
Brisbane-Port Moresby daily
Brisbane-Honiara 4 days per week
Brisbane-Port Vila 5 days per week
Brisbane-Nadi daily
Brisbane-Papeete 5 days per week - via Auckland & codeshare Air Tahiti/Air NZ
Brisbane-Noumea 3 days per week

So a PNG team plays a QLD team then travels onto Port Vila to play a Vanuatu team.

It will be tricky to organise, but not impossible. I mean ALM programming is organised around public holidays, music concerts, beer festivals, Garden shows, the NRL, Super Rugby and all sorts of other stuff.

If this is the pathway to the CWC then where to NZF fit in this for their $ to run the National League?

Don’t think it’s certain yet whether amateur OFC Champions League will still provide OFC’s team at the CWC, or this new League 

Not forgetting CWC is moving to a every 4 years format

NZF are about to lock in a $14M payday when the AWs qualify for the 2026 WC. Even with players getting a cut of that, still very handy cash

Another big potential payday when FFs qualify for the next WWC

They have said the pro league will be the pathway for CWC 2029 and intercontinental cup 

Does make some sense. FIFA would agrue higher chance of OFC's representative at the 4 yearly CWC & annual Intercontinental Cup being competitive if a professional club, rather than shamateur

If true, what are Auckland City's future plans? Going to try enter this new OFC pro league?

coochiee

Does make some sense. FIFA would agrue higher chance of OFC's representative at the 4 yearly CWC & annual Intercontinental Cup being competitive if a professional club, rather than shamateur

If true, what are Auckland City's future plans? Going to try enter this new OFC pro league?

 
Would chch Russian go for it?

Meyn wants an A League club in the Garden City. He however doesn't sell enough meat to do it on his own.

Is having a team in this OFC prof league a pathway to the A League?
Question for the APL.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/133459221/christchurch-united-president-slava-meyn-interested-in-aleague-football-franchise-bid#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMy%20idea%2C%20if%20I%20was,Nelson%20%5Beach%20season%5D.%E2%80%9D

Interesting. Wonder what NZ clubs will turn up tomorrow night.
Surely Auckland City. But who else?

If FIFA are going to mostly fund the league could be a few clubs interested.
Maybe the Nix and AFC reserve teams are possibilities.

If this OFC league starts in January each year, so earlier than NZ domestic leagues kicking off about March, that might better suit the NZ ALM clubs re keeping their backup/academy players match fit??

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-clubs-interested-in-joining-ofc-professional-league-to-meet-in-auckland/

The Oceania Football Confederation Home of Football – ‘Te Kahu O’Kiwa’ in Auckland, will host a meeting with New Zealand clubs, interested in joining the new OFC Professional League, tomorrow Wednesday, January 29.

New OFC Professional League Manager Stuart Larman has arrived in New Zealand from the United Kingdom and will brief clubs around the application process and timeline for the league, which is slated to kick off in January 2026.

Australian clubs were briefed late last year and there have been further briefings held with other OFC Member Association clubs.

Expressions of interest open next month with OFC aiming to be in a position by July to recommend teams to the OFC Executive Committee, with the confirmed teams finalised by the end of September.


What is the OFC Professional League?
................

This is a new standalone competition that would run in addition to the current OFC Men’s Champions League as well as the national domestic leagues across OFC’s Member Associations.

The OFC Professional League will determine which team qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2029 and the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Don't see how anyone outside either Auckland City (or some iteration) or Christchurch will be able to get across the line in this one to be honest. 

Could be a two horse race from this country. Really interested to see what Aussie teams might give it a look though. Reliably informed that Sunshine Coast Wanderers out of QLD were also looking to throw their hat in the ring with both the NSD, and this PrOceania League and see where they landed.

An 09 team would be handy for the league, with most clubs likely needing to fly into Auckland as a transit, when heading to Tahiti.

Also OFC are headquartered in NZ's biggest city. 

So if this OFC Pro league gets off the ground then that will be the end of the Oceania Champions League right? 

The OFC Champions League would hold no real value if being the continental champions didn't qualify you for the Club World Cup or Intercontinental Cup anymore...

No sounds like the Champions League will still continue.
Though yes why OFC would still bother is a good question.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-clubs-interested-in-joining-ofc-professional-league-to-meet-in-auckland/

This is a new standalone competition that would run in addition to the current OFC Men’s Champions League

Every association including NZ will be limited to a maximum of 2 clubs

OFC has 13 member nations, so a max of 26 teams can enter. No idea the kind of quality you'll be getting from the likes of Kiribati or the Cook islands.

This article (Natyional Indigenous Times) mentions that not all OFC countries have expressed an interest in entering so far. There won't be teams from the minnows like Samoa, Tonga, Cooks, American Samoa etc, but they would hopefully have a few players signed up in the league.

The Francophile nations Tahiti and New Caledonia not mentioned. Apparently a professional rugby league from Tahiti maybe launched to enter the Queensand Cup (tier below the NRL). Maybe that's soaking up some of the commercial sponsors in Tahiti?? There is already a PNG team in the Queensland Cup

https://nit.com.au/29-11-2024/144/oceania-football-confederation-set-to-launch-the-pacific-football-league-inside-the-next-two-years

Oceania football federations of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have expressed a real interest in either creating new elite teams or endorsing current clubs of national leagues to participate in the first professional league

Aotearoa-New Zealand is considering entering at least one team formed from several of its Polynesian communities, including many of the under-represented Maori players in a competition that will be run separately to existing clubs that play in the top-tier, but semi-professional New Zealand National League.

It has also led to a push to invite Australian clubs amid ongoing delays and the ongoing uncertainty to establish its own national second-division competition to support the A-League, in addition to the AFC's decision at the end of its 2006 World Cup campaign to leave Oceania for Asia.

The OFC is privately hoping the Australian government will subsidise multiple Australian clubs to join the league akin to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese financing a Papua New Guinean NRL bid.

The projection of a Pacific competition in 2026 is set to supersede the much-maligned OFC Champions League that every time bar twice since the competition started in 1987, only an Australian or Aoeatora side has won the Champions League.

10 teams from NZ, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu plus a couple from Aus (assuming they have to stick to the same rules as everyone else.
Just seems rather pointless and meaningless. 

Why pointless and meaningless?

You hear Brian Kaltak talk about how difficult it is for young guys (& girls) from Vanuatu to get a pro football gig. Just like it was in the bad old days in NZ, before pro football clubs were in Aotearoa.

They are football mad in Vanuatu. Having a local pro team(s) will be great for young kids there, with a proper visible pathway, and the very best like Kaltak maybe playing in the ALM, or even Europe one day.

Great for football in OFC, our Confed. Don't think the standard will be great, or the pitches/facilities, with questionable value for the development for young Kiwis. But for the Island nations will only be a good thing. And we have the ALM (with maybe a 3rd team soonest), so this new league won't be the highest level football to watch in our backyard. Just another option for young Kiwis in the professional space.

Sure pathway wise it may bring more professionalism to the region but it means nothing. Highly likely the Aussie or NZ teams will be the almost pro teams from both countries and will likely destroy any team from the islands, meaning that prize money isnt really going to help/. It's ultimately just adding cost to OFC or the teams that enter and for what?

You are looking at it all wrong.

It sounds like FIFA will basically finance the whole thing. It will be a drop in the ocean for them. They do have $3.5 Billion in cash reserves, and with a 48 team WC on the horizon that's only going to bloat further.

Aus Govt (Aus Aid) will likely be financing some of it as well. They have just promised $500M for PNG's new NRL club. Very much an anti China geo political play in the Pacific region

So likely very little financial drain on OFC. I see the new league's Project Manager is coming Europe.

Ok, so competition is funded outside of OFC, I'd assume that includes all the running costs for the clubs? 
Even then I question the validity of the completion, it just seems like it will isolate OFC even further.

The Island "club" teams, must just end up de facto National teams. I mean they all have very few national team players based overseas. They will definitely be competitive against any Aus NPL teams or franchises in the Islands. Same against Auckland City or whoever joins in from NZ. AC have often just squeaked through the OFC Champions League in recent times in the Islands. Oven like Honiara is always a brutal place to play a game of football.

Yeah they will struggle more in Aussie and NZ, but they will definitely improve with time as their players move from catching fish as a day job to professional footballer. Plus benefit from all that FIFA dosh going into top class training facilities, gyms, high level coaching etc etc.

Presumably all the teams will also have visa spots. So you get a few Kiwis & Aussies in the Island teams, or even a few experienced dudes from Europe or Sth America looking for an adventure. They raise the standards.

It will be the opposite of isolating OFC footballers. Finally giving them a pathway in their backyard, to the ALM or even Europe. But again only the very best. However finally they see a pathway.

Without the Nix existing, the All Whites don't qualify for Sth Africa 2010. Hard to see it happening now, but OFC and maybe FIFA want to see 2 teams from OFC qualify for 48 teams WCs. Without this league, zero chance of that ever happening. And the league kicking off, definitely locks in OFC's 11 votes at FIFA re election time for Infantino.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

It’d be odd to do it without the French teams. Usually two of the better nations in the confederation. Though the whole concept is odd anyway. FIFA is funding…flights? Stadium building? Clearing the toads?

Wouldn’t mind a 1% levy on every Champions League player, plus a fee from their clubs to make it happen…it doesn’t sound very FIFA though.

What happens if for whatever reason there are cost overruns and the budget allocated doesn’t get it all done? 

martinb

It’d be odd to do it without the French teams. Usually two of the better nations in the confederation. Though the whole concept is odd anyway. FIFA is funding…flights? Stadium building? Clearing the toads?

Wouldn’t mind a 1% levy on every Champions League player, plus a fee from their clubs to make it happen…it doesn’t sound very FIFA though.

What happens if for whatever reason there are cost overruns and the budget allocated doesn’t get it all done? 

Or some of the money provided gets lost and it all falls over.