OFC Professional League

coochiee

FIFA has $4Billion in cash reserves and a juicy bloated cash cow 48 team WC next year

This new league may never really have to be financially “sustainable”. Just Chuck it as a Development expense in FIFA’s P&L

I think you're right about this, if you clarify that this league can't be sustainable; it will need to ride on grace and favour.  I just don't really understand why this competition will get that money over any other underdeveloped football region. You fund this, everyone else will expect it. FIFA are no charitable concern.

11 locked in OFC votes for Infantino at the next FIFA president election.

zonknz

coochiee

FIFA has $4Billion in cash reserves and a juicy bloated cash cow 48 team WC next year

This new league may never really have to be financially “sustainable”. Just Chuck it as a Development expense in FIFA’s P&L

I think you're right about this, if you clarify that this league can't be sustainable; it will need to ride on grace and favour.  I just don't really understand why this competition will get that money over any other underdeveloped football region. You fund this, everyone else will expect it. FIFA are no charitable concern.

No other underdeveloped football regions are a whole confederation. It's in FIFAs interest that the likes of Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia improve and become more professional whereas it doesn't really affect them if AFC equivalents like Sri Lanka, Brunei don't develop much.

I have no idea whether FIFA would bankroll this OFC professional league forever, if it failed commercially to break even.

But the cash reserves FIFA has & the income it generates is truly eye watering. This league would be a tiny expense on it's  annual P&L.

https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-qatar-3551b3dacd7c35a4f7b50ecbb69abec5

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — FIFA expects to earn $11 billion in the 2026 World Cup cycle with a 48-team men’s tournament in North America set to deliver a big increase in revenue amid ongoing uncertainty about the exact match schedule.

The four-year budget, which was presented Friday to the FIFA Council, foresees an almost 50% increase in income mainly tied to broadcasting and sponsorship deals, plus ticketing and hospitality at a tournament which will use several NFL stadiums.

“We are bullish about the power of football,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said after the council meeting. “We are convinced that the impact of the game will be massive.”

FIFA typically makes conservative budget estimates and ends up overshooting its targets. The $7.5 billion revenue announced in Qatar last month for the 2019-22 commercial cycle was $1 billion more than the forecast.

You also have proud Kiwi Samoan Sarai Bareman as a very important figure within FIFA.

The league seems to be an 8-team league initially, with opportunity for expansion. 1 team per country for as many as want to enter - then they pick the 'best of the rest' bids from there.
Say Auckland City gets the nod as top NZ team but only 7 countries have teams that put bids together - the next best team (which, for example, could be Chch United) would get the 8th spot.
Real interesting concept and looking forward to seeing how it all shapes up. There were representatives from three clubs present at the meeting last week but a LOT more on a Zoom call coming from all over the country.

Reading the above Fijian news article YH posted, the Fijian FA definitely want one team, and maybe even two.

The new League Project Manager will be a very busy boy. Huge undertaking starting a league from scratch, over various countries, and even likely Confederations. 

It won't be perfect. Will need some luck to have all 8 teams/destinations an automatic success. 

You can see some teams folding after a few years, and others coming in to replace them. But yeah 8 clubs spread over NZ, Fiji, Solomons, PNG, Vanuatu & Aussie ain't a huge number. Possibly also Tahiti, New Caledonia & Hawaii.

coochiee

Reading the above Fijian news article YH posted, the Fijian FA definitely want one team, and maybe even two.

The new League Project Manager will be a very busy boy. Huge undertaking starting a league from scratch, over various countries, and even likely Confederations. 

It won't be perfect. Will need some luck to have all 8 teams/destinations an automatic success. 

You can see some teams folding after a few years, and others coming in to replace them. But yeah 8 clubs spread over NZ, Fiji, Solomons, PNG, Vanuatu & Aussie ain't a huge number. Possibly also Tahiti, New Caledonia & Hawaii.

AS Venus are bidding and I would expect FIFA/OFC would like representation from the eastern/polynesian end of the confederation, so I would expect Tahiti to be in.

So with the New Zealand team(s) entering, most-likely from the National League, do they get to participate in the National League due to the fact the the pre-season for this league is during the National League or is pre-season for the New Zealand team(s) the National League?

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/ofc-pro-league-applications-open-in-june/

Investor? 
I thought that like most clubs outside a few it was backer sought to pour money into a hole in the ground on the assurance that occasionally it could be poured more slowly! 
This venture more than most.

"The league seems to be an 8-team league initially, with opportunity for expansion. 1 team per country for as many as want to enter - then they pick the 'best of the rest' bids from there.
Say Auckland City gets the nod as top NZ team but only 7 countries have teams that put bids together - the next best team (which, for example, could be Chch United) would get the 8th spot.
Real interesting concept and looking forward to seeing how it all shapes up. There were representatives from three clubs present at the meeting last week but a LOT more on a Zoom call coming from all over the country."

Never mind this. It's a max of 2 teams per country for OFC members, and 1 team for non-OFC nations. Which is Aus, Hawaii, and associate members Kiribati and Tuvalu (not that the latter two are likely to even have one team)

If this is a professional league, will it be a full time league? 32 weeks, 24 weeks, 16 weeks or 16 + a cup/finals series or some kind of knockout? 

Or could we see players play in this league and become a league squaddies in the off season? 

They didn’t really say they were thinking of playing in January in the islands did they? 

I doubt any of this is known yet apart from yes it's to kick off in January 2026.

They want 8 teams, but have said it could also be 10. All depends I imagine on the quality of the franchise/club bids they receive. 

8 teams makes it 14 rounds H&A - bit short, do they play an extra round?
10 teams 18 rounds H&A

I guess they want it all completed, before the ALM kicks off around October each year, to maximise media interest. Ideally this new league will be a useful development pathway to the ALM, especially for Kiwis in NZ's 1-2 teams.

Then with clubs like the Jets & Roar, really cutting back on visa players this season, any Island players who star in this new league, could also get an A League gig as a cheapish visa option.

And yeah whilst playing in the Islands in January will be tough, they won't like coming to NZ in June/July either.

I guess 14 rounds doesn’t necessarily mean 14 weeks, but too long between games gives it less momentum. 

Potential for someone to hop O league to A league between seasons, but no real chance to regularly play both with the January to May crossover. Guess it depends on the transfer rules and windows between leagues if an A league player could join an O league team in the January transfer window. And if they have marquees, sponsors, prize money etc. 

And thanks for avoiding the red ink on the math there. No math ref out there yet huh? 🫣 Bit of a shocker. Guess they could have a bye for no reason whatsoever. A week’s stopover in Queenstown or Sydney! Or for the Kiwi teams in one of the islands during said June, July period. Maybe two bye weeks, can’t have player burnout! 

It won't be home and away. The plan at the moment is to have a series of 'hubs' - similar to the A-League Unite Round, with all clubs playing 2-3 games in the same place before all moving to the next.
Double round robin between the 8 teams (14 games) before the league splits into 1-4 and 5-8, who play the others in their half once more each. 
This is where it gets confusing
The top 3 in the 1-4 pool go to the semis, with 4th in the 1-4 pool playing 1st in the 5-8 pool and that winner going to the semis. Straight knockout from there.
It will run from January-May

Makes some sense with the lack of flights between countries, plus will reduce travel costs

Short season 

Okay, am I missing something? ACFC *can't* turn professional because it's funded by pokies money?

Maybe it’s goodbye Trillian Trust hello FIFA. Suspect the latter has more cash to giveaway 

Or a 3rd iteration is formed?
Central Auckland City
Keep an eye on the Company’s Office website 

Doloras

Okay, am I missing something? ACFC *can't* turn professional because it's funded by pokies money?

Depends how much of the rumoured $50 million from the Club WC they see

If it’s a hub situation it’s not a proper league, more of a tournament. 

The idea of a league is to get football to everyone’s home ground. 

But it does make it possible I guess, compared to what we were talking about with the impossible logistics of a genuine league. 

I wonder if, like the unite round, it means lots of games on one mashed up pitch. 

if the do this as a torunement played over a week or two it will be so stupid. Crap grounds, no fans. If your gonna call it a league it needs to be run over a period of months home and away, week in week out.

If it’s 8 or 10 teams I assume they’ll try to have a round in everyone’s country? At least 4 rounds. 

Not even guna get out my rusting 7th form stats permutations, if just because it wasn’t great at the time and it’s worse now. 

Anyway I’m sure at some point when we know some more or when work is light, some goodly person will knock up a graphic, including the ‘final series’ and comprehension will dawn.

SamCoughlan

It won't be home and away. The plan at the moment is to have a series of 'hubs' - similar to the A-League Unite Round, with all clubs playing 2-3 games in the same place before all moving to the next.
Double round robin between the 8 teams (14 games) before the league splits into 1-4 and 5-8, who play the others in their half once more each. 
This is where it gets confusing
The top 3 in the 1-4 pool go to the semis, with 4th in the 1-4 pool playing 1st in the 5-8 pool and that winner going to the semis. Straight knockout from there.
It will run from January-May

Caribbeean Premier Cricket League did something similar in terms of being a series of hubs....

The CPL T20 tournament is played between six teams and is divided into a group stage and a knockout stage. In the group stage, the teams each play ten matches overall, three of which are at home. This unusual format occurs because all six teams are co-located at a single playing site for five sequential matches, then the whole tournament moves to a new location for five more games, and so on.

Caribbean has similar lack of flights as Oceania.  Difference is cricket requires less recovery between games so you can have the home team playing every second day when it is their turn to host.

Yeah the Caribbean is a good example, of lots of small Island nations playing sport together. My brother lived 6 years between Guyana & Suriname. Yes both countries are technically in Sth America, but really they are part of the Caribe.

Both really difficult to fly into, with limited flights. Panama the main transit hub for flights. Bro met Kane Williamson once in Tauranga (where he now lives), and he told Kane about his time in Guyana. KW having played in CPL, basically said 'why did you live in that sharkhole'.


And note it's mentioned above the OFC league will run January-May, so say 4 mths (16 weekends) and 14 league games. It might be that on average each team plays about 2 games over 7 days in each of the 7-8 locations. 

Far from perfect, but a way to really cut down on costs, given it's likely a low commercial value (TV rights & other sponsors) league, with major air travel challenges.

But yeah you'd have to worry about the quality of the pitches if it rains and you are scheduled to have maybe 8 games (2 rounds) in one destination over say 7 days.

Any funding from gaming money cannot be used outside NZ.

Doloras

Okay, am I missing something? ACFC *can't* turn professional because it's funded by pokies money?

Assume it will be the standard four weeks stand down for any 'pro' players in the league returning to 'amateur status'.

Any 'pro' players will not be able to run out in the Chatham Cup.

Going forward any money from the World Cup champs unlikely to end in the coffers of NZ Football.

If the league is a success could FIFA alter their stance around NZ teams being allowed to play in the A-League and say they must play in the OFC Pro League.

martinb

If it’s 8 or 10 teams I assume they’ll try to have a round in everyone’s country? At least 4 rounds. 

Not even guna get out my rusting 7th form stats permutations, if just because it wasn’t great at the time and it’s worse now. 

Anyway I’m sure at some point when we know some more or when work is light, some goodly person will knock up a graphic, including the ‘final series’ and comprehension will dawn.

My understanding is they want at least five hubs

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360573597/christchurch-united-chase-place-oceania-pro-league-football-competition

Chch Utd confirm their interest.

Apparently Chch Utd want to play Pro League games at the new Te Kaha stadium once it becomes available - seems ambitious, they cite the 14,000 crowd for the Nix a few weeks back as showing there is enough interest

Another interesting point from the article: Pro League clubs will be required to contract up to 23 professional players for at least seven months. Clubs will be restricted to a maximum of six players from outside their own country, including three from non-OFC nations.

Slava Meyn wants a pro team in ChCh, but hasn't the cash for the ALM's $20M+ new franchise entry fee.

This league a cheap alternative option. But he's dreaming if he thinks 14,000 are going to turn up to watch Sunshine Coast Wanderers (Aus), Rewa (Fiji), Tiga Sport (NC), Hekari United (PNG), Auckland City or whoever.

They will need to be in the A League to get close to crowds above 5,000. Might as well just play at the more boutique Addington ground.

I guess the 'where do they play' discussion ain't that important, with the OFC to be played in 5 hubs.

Anyway nice to think that another 17-20 Kiwis will get a chance to be professional footballers, and still be based in NZ. The facilities at Yaldhurst do sound excellent.

The first Pro League season is expected to see all eight clubs playing in five cluster tournaments held at various venues in the Pacific. Teams would play three games in 10-day blocks.

Some other interesting points in that article.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360573597/christchurch-united-chase-place-oceania-pro-league-football-competition

“At the moment, the A-League is not sustainable [for a new club],” Meyn said.

A-League clubs are expected to pay a $25 million licence fee and the competion has had declining revenue from TV rights.

Meyn believed there would be keen interest in Pro League places, but he felt Christchurch should have a strong case with the South Island being “the biggest island’’ without a professional club.

He said one of the biggest attractions of the Pro League was its pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup finals.

The OFC has confirmed that the most successful Pro League team over a three-year period will represent Oceania at the Club World Cup.

That raises the question of whether New Zealand’s current two professional clubs, Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, will attempt to enter their second teams in the Pro League.

New Zealand’s A-League clubs are currently barred from participating in the Asian Champions League - the Asian Football Confederation (AFC’s) route to the Club World Cup - because they are not registered with the AFC.

Meyn believes the incentive of a Club World Cup place could encourage some European clubs to apply for Pro League franchises.

The Pro League will get significant financial backing from FIFA for the first few years, but clubs are expected to demonstrate financial sustainability and have professional training facilities and academies.

There are complex issues for the nation’s largely amateur clubs - who currently receive public funding - from applying to join a professional league.

Pro League clubs will be required to contract up to 23 professional players for at least seven months. Clubs will be restricted to a maximum of six players from outside their own country, including three from non-OFC nations.

There is likely to be a 30-day stand down before Pro League players would be cleared to play at amateur level.

Auckland City - who have won 12 New Zealand national league premierships and a record 12 Oceania Champions League titles and who will represent the confederation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup finals in June-July - are keeping “ a watching brief’’ on the Pro League proposal.

“Right now, our focus is on preparing for the season ahead, particularly the FIFA Club World Cup and everything that comes with it - a lot,’’ Auckland City general manager Gordon Watson said.

So, for the first three years the comp is all sweet, after that it's likely to fold as FIFA pull back the funding and the realisation that noone is travelling to a HUB for 10 days to watch Chch United or Auckland City, or Wellington Olympic play will effectively end the comp.

There is just no way away fans are travelling to watch this - which is gonna kill the viability.

I'm sure over time (maybe even in the 2nd season) they would hope to sort out the travel logistics so that the hubs are not needed. Like a Solomons team, plays in QLD then Fiji, then NZ then back to Honiara.

But that will be very tricky to work out such a draw, with most of the Islands having restricted flight options. But it's what OFC & FIFA will want, a proper H&A season for football fans around the Pacific to invest in. Otherwise in many ways whats the point of having a comp.

So maybe for Season 1 with so much other stuff to sort out when setting up 8-10 professional clubs from scratch - they have just said lets just park working on a complicated H&A draw with all it's travel logistics challenges until following seasons.

Getting the teams setup, with professional training & media facilities, coaches etc etc is a big enough headache for Season 1.

This comp will be far from perfect or the finished article in Season 1.

While there are a few naysayers in this thread, I'm genuinely quite interested in it. I really do think there is a lot of untapped talent in OFC that due to a lack of professionalism is completely missed.

I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.

I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end. 

Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.

coochiee

I'm sure over time (maybe even in the 2nd season) they would hope to sort out the travel logistics so that the hubs are not needed. Like a Solomons team, plays in QLD then Fiji, then NZ then back to Honiara.

But that will be very tricky to work out such a draw, with most of the Islands having restricted flight options. But it's what OFC & FIFA will want, a proper H&A season for football fans around the Pacific to invest in. Otherwise in many ways whats the point of having a comp.

So maybe for Season 1 with so much other stuff to sort out when setting up 8-10 professional clubs from scratch - they have just said lets just park working on a complicated H&A draw with all it's travel logistics challenges until following seasons.

Getting the teams setup, with professional training & media facilities, coaches etc etc is a big enough headache for Season 1.

This comp will be far from perfect or the finished article in Season 1.

It's a League, Jim, but not as we know it...

Marto

While there are a few naysayers in this thread, I'm genuinely quite interested in it. I really do think there is a lot of untapped talent in OFC that due to a lack of professionalism is completely missed.

I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.

I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end. 

Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.

Football has almost zero chance of ever being the no 1 code in PNG. League is already streets ahead. A guy I know who lived in Moresby, said the Brisbane Broncos is the team most locals follow. Now in a few years they will have their own NRL team to support, which is a huge deal for them.

But yeah I am also looking forward to this league kicking off, and happy that young kids growing up in Island countries will now have a local pro pathway. You listen to Brian Kaltak talk for 5 mins, and you get a real feel for how tough it currently is for a promising player in Vanuatu to get an opportunity. This league changes that, and from a simple human aspect that's a good thing.

Still have doubts it will be the right pathway for young Kiwis to then go onto the ALM, or overseas. Questionable pitches, facilities etc. But hey it will get (if there are 2 NZ teams) another 40 odd Kiwis into a day in day out pro environment each year.

Marto

While there are a few naysayers in this thread, I'm genuinely quite interested in it. I really do think there is a lot of untapped talent in OFC that due to a lack of professionalism is completely missed.

I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.

I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end. 

Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.

It has been mentioned by good sources (I think) elsewhere in this thread that countries will be limited to a maximum of 2 teams, with a second team from each association only on the table after first teams from another associations are exhausted.

The benefit of this league will be most felt by the Pacific, so it makes sense for most of the teams to come from there not Aus/NZ.

Imo from what we know it could look something like this: Auckland City, Christchurch United, Sunshine Coast, Hekari Utd, AS Venus, Suva and federation teams from Solomons and Vanuatu. 

But of course there are other options in the years going forward i.e. another Fijian team like Ba, a New Caledonian team, second Aussie team, the floated NZF team, a Hawaiian team, a Pasifika team representing the smaller assocs, a team in Lae, PNG, etc.

Exciting times for sure

LT01

Marto

While there are a few naysayers in this thread, I'm genuinely quite interested in it. I really do think there is a lot of untapped talent in OFC that due to a lack of professionalism is completely missed.

I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.

I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end. 

Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.

It has been mentioned by good sources (I think) elsewhere in this thread that countries will be limited to a maximum of 2 teams, with a second team from each association only on the table after first teams from another associations are exhausted.

The benefit of this league will be most felt by the Pacific, so it makes sense for most of the teams to come from there not Aus/NZ.

Imo from what we know it could look something like this: Auckland City, Christchurch United, Sunshine Coast, Hekari Utd, AS Venus, Suva and federation teams from Solomons and Vanuatu. 

But of course there are other options in the years going forward i.e. another Fijian team like Ba, a New Caledonian team, second Aussie team, the floated NZF team, a Hawaiian team, a Pasifika team representing the smaller assocs, a team in Lae, PNG, etc.

Exciting times for sure

Controversial I know - but it doesn't need fans to turn up in big numbers for it to be a success - My bet is that if they are smart and sell the broastcast rights into Asia where the timezones are decent for sports betting it might do ok.  Fans turning up will help - but it won't be the be all and end all for the competition - particularly if this comp takes a share of the club world cup money for operating costs.

chopah

LT01

Marto

While there are a few naysayers in this thread, I'm genuinely quite interested in it. I really do think there is a lot of untapped talent in OFC that due to a lack of professionalism is completely missed.

I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.

I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end. 

Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.

It has been mentioned by good sources (I think) elsewhere in this thread that countries will be limited to a maximum of 2 teams, with a second team from each association only on the table after first teams from another associations are exhausted.

The benefit of this league will be most felt by the Pacific, so it makes sense for most of the teams to come from there not Aus/NZ.

Imo from what we know it could look something like this: Auckland City, Christchurch United, Sunshine Coast, Hekari Utd, AS Venus, Suva and federation teams from Solomons and Vanuatu. 

But of course there are other options in the years going forward i.e. another Fijian team like Ba, a New Caledonian team, second Aussie team, the floated NZF team, a Hawaiian team, a Pasifika team representing the smaller assocs, a team in Lae, PNG, etc.

Exciting times for sure

Controversial I know - but it doesn't need fans to turn up in big numbers for it to be a success - My bet is that if they are smart and sell the broastcast rights into Asia where the timezones are decent for sports betting it might do ok.  Fans turning up will help - but it won't be the be all and end all for the competition - particularly if this comp takes a share of the club world cup money for operating costs.

Reminds me of how lower Div. Victorian State leagues full of no-names used to thrive on the back of UK off-season football pools. Maybe they still do.

chopah

LT01

Marto

While there are a few naysayers in this thread, I'm genuinely quite interested in it. I really do think there is a lot of untapped talent in OFC that due to a lack of professionalism is completely missed.

I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.

I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end. 

Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.

It has been mentioned by good sources (I think) elsewhere in this thread that countries will be limited to a maximum of 2 teams, with a second team from each association only on the table after first teams from another associations are exhausted.

The benefit of this league will be most felt by the Pacific, so it makes sense for most of the teams to come from there not Aus/NZ.

Imo from what we know it could look something like this: Auckland City, Christchurch United, Sunshine Coast, Hekari Utd, AS Venus, Suva and federation teams from Solomons and Vanuatu. 

But of course there are other options in the years going forward i.e. another Fijian team like Ba, a New Caledonian team, second Aussie team, the floated NZF team, a Hawaiian team, a Pasifika team representing the smaller assocs, a team in Lae, PNG, etc.

Exciting times for sure

Controversial I know - but it doesn't need fans to turn up in big numbers for it to be a success - My bet is that if they are smart and sell the broastcast rights into Asia where the timezones are decent for sports betting it might do ok.  Fans turning up will help - but it won't be the be all and end all for the competition - particularly if this comp takes a share of the club world cup money for operating costs.

Fifa+ will likely take the rights worldwide - they already have a deal with OFC for all their other competitions and WCQs, so I'd imagine they will do it for this as well seeing as they seem to be keen to fund this league