The comp regular season is being played as 5 hubs, the hubs being over 2-3 weeks in one location. Think back to how alot of sports operated during Covid.
This is for Season One in 2026 (Jan-May). After that who knows
Was a rumour that the 5 hubs would be Auckland, Melbourne and 3 in the Islands.
If true it seems unlikely CU will play any games in Christchurch (again Season One), let alone at Te Kaha. Though it's not clear where the playoff games will be played, so may yet be a chance CU host matches.
Re players, you'd think there will be more scouting of this OFC Pro League than any of the NPL leagues or domestic NZ leagues. So if you are a young NZ player, and have ambitions of getting to Europe (or ALM) the OFC League could be a increased eyeballs pathway.
Could George Ott say to Avondale, I'll play for CU but be back in Melbs for the 2nd half of your VIC NPL season by June?
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preferred-clubs-announced-for-historic-ofc-professional-league/
The first OFC Professional League season will run from January through to May 2026, with each club playing a minimum of 17 matches.
This is for Season One in 2026 (Jan-May). After that who knows
Was a rumour that the 5 hubs would be Auckland, Melbourne and 3 in the Islands.
If true it seems unlikely CU will play any games in Christchurch (again Season One), let alone at Te Kaha. Though it's not clear where the playoff games will be played, so may yet be a chance CU host matches.
Re players, you'd think there will be more scouting of this OFC Pro League than any of the NPL leagues or domestic NZ leagues. So if you are a young NZ player, and have ambitions of getting to Europe (or ALM) the OFC League could be a increased eyeballs pathway.
Could George Ott say to Avondale, I'll play for CU but be back in Melbs for the 2nd half of your VIC NPL season by June?
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preferred-clubs-announced-for-historic-ofc-professional-league/
The first OFC Professional League season will run from January through to May 2026, with each club playing a minimum of 17 matches.
The competition will feature five circuit series rounds, hosted across the Pacific. 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.