Interesting times ahead.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/01/31/listen-new-zealand-to-be-restricted-to-two-clubs-in-new-ofc-pro-league-2/
Christchurch United have become the first New Zealand club to go public with their interest in joining Oceania’s new men’s professional league.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/01/31/listen-new-zealand-to-be-restricted-to-two-clubs-in-new-ofc-pro-league-2/
Christchurch United have become the first New Zealand club to go public with their interest in joining Oceania’s new men’s professional league.
The men’s National League club have confirmed through their social media channels they have taken the first steps to seek a place in the competition due to launch in 2026.
The club have published a photograph of head coach Ryan Edwards with Central Coast Mariners captain and Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak, saying they had met to discuss opportunities to support Vanuatu’s football community and provide player pathways in Christchurch.
The new league could have 8-10 participating clubs, of which two are likely to come from New Zealand.
The new league could have 8-10 participating clubs, of which two are likely to come from New Zealand.
OFC Professional League manager Stuart Larman hosted a briefing of New Zealand clubs interested in the league in Auckland on Wednesday January 29, 2025.
In a December radio interview, Larman says briefings with interested clubs would spell out what was required for them to become professional clubs.
“We’ve made sure there’s going to be eight clubs — that seems to be very clear from the discussions that have been had — and to make sure the structure’s going to be correct.
“We believe there will be more applications, and might have up to 10 clubs in total.
“It might mean some countries have two clubs, and that will be the limit.”
Teams from Australia and Hawai’i could enter from the start or seek to join during any expansion of the league.
The league will have a launch event in October, with the competition set to get underway in January 2026.