OFC Professional League

Came across this on reddit

OFC-Pro-League-format-scaled.jpeg 185.04 KB

- Licences for the clubs are planned to be issued by September

Comes from this article that OFC posted today https://www.oceaniafootball.com/expressions-of-interest-open-for-inaugural-ofc-professional-league/

Half a Pint

Came across this on reddit

OFC-Pro-League-format-scaled.jpeg 185.04 KB

- Licences for the clubs are planned to be issued by September

Comes from this article that OFC posted today https://www.oceaniafootball.com/expressions-of-interest-open-for-inaugural-ofc-professional-league/

Regardless of anyones thoughts on the format - very impressive if it's true that every club will play 17+ games. 

So if Auckland City don't try enter this competition their days at any FIFA tourneys are over. That will be a big adjustment for them.


During the briefings, attendees gained insights into the club application process, participation requirements, and the proposed league format. The pathway to the league’s kick-off includes:

End of June 2025: Conclusion of the club application process.

August 2025: OFC Licensing Committee’s recommendations to the OFC Executive Committee.

September 2025: Final approval and issuance of licenses to the eight selected clubs.

Saw this article from the NZ Herald yesterday

Has quotes from both Auckland FC and the Nix saying they are interested in being a part of the Pro League:

“We are interested in being part of it and finding out more about it,” Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker told the Herald.

Phoenix general manager David Dome had a similar view.

“We want to be in those discussions,” Dome said. “We are keen to be part of that conversation…if we can make it work.”

This despite quotes I saw in an article from The Press earlier in the week:

But OFC secretary-general Franck Castilo appeared to close the door to reserve teams when asked if the two Kiwi clubs could enter B teams in the Pro league.

"We are not going to be specific but it has to be the eight best teams. We don't want B teams because we have to keep a certain level in this league"

The Herald article also says:

How it will work is the biggest question, given their existing A-League commitments. There would be a need for a significant number of players, coaches and staff, though there would be some crossover. As an example, it is expected that players who have played more than seven A-League games in a particular season won’t be eligible to feature in the Pro League.

“There will be some kind of restrictions,” Castillo confirmed.

What would also make it harder for AFC and the Nix surely would be this rule:

Squads will have 20-23 players, with no more than six non-domestic players and a maximum of three from outside Oceania.

So they can't be reserve teams, but the players can't have played more than 7 A-League matches for that season, But also out of 6 visa slots only 3 can be from non Oceania nations (So I believe Aussies would count as visas and towards the maximum of 3 non Oceania visa players).

Also I don't imagine National League clubs will be overly happy with the Nix and AFC cutting off any pathways to the CWC.
 

Another interesting bit of info from the Herald article:

OFC will invest US$40 million ($70m) over the next four years, which covers all airfares and accommodation for the competing clubs, aside from the Australian entry given they are not part of the confederation.

If there ever was a stepping stone for a Canterbury team to the A league this money jam must be it.

If the Nix and Auckland really want to play at the CWC they can quit the A-Leagues and join the Pro League - and we all know they don't want to do that. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if other A-League clubs objected to this - similar to how the English FA blocked Welsh plans to get Cardiff/Swansea/Wrexham into Europe. 

LT01

If the Nix and Auckland really want to play at the CWC they can quit the A-Leagues and join the Pro League - and we all know they don't want to do that. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if other A-League clubs objected to this - similar to how the English FA blocked Welsh plans to get Cardiff/Swansea/Wrexham into Europe. 

Confused about what you are saying they are objecting to?

Guess he's suggesting either the AFC & the Nix would then have a virtually 50% chance of being at future CWCs. ie if they were in the OFC Champions League, no other OFC club would come close to the A League pair.

On the other hand is virtually impossible for Australian ALM clubs to get close getting to a CWC. Apart from WSW's miracle win years ago, they are consistently dire in the AFC Champions League.

So if clubs who get to the CWC or Intercontionental Cup get a nice fat FIFA pay cheque, then yes the Australian ALM clubs could pretty fairly say to the Nix & AFC - how come you play in a AFC comp (A League) but get to the lucrative FIFA comps through a an OFC route?? Which is it, AFC or OFC.

coochiee

Guess he's suggesting either the AFC & the Nix would then have a virtually 50% chance of being at future CWCs. ie if they were in the OFC Champions League, no other OFC club would come close to the A League pair.

On the other hand is virtually impossible for Australian ALM clubs to get close getting to a CWC. Apart from WSW's miracle win years ago, they are consistently dire in the AFC Champions League.

So if clubs who get to the CWC or Intercontionental Cup get a nice fat FIFA pay cheque, then yes the Australian ALM clubs could pretty fairly say to the Nix & AFC - how come you play in a AFC comp (A League) but get to the lucrative FIFA comps through a an OFC route?? Which is it, AFC or OFC.

Indeed it would be a competitive imbalance - this is what was raised by English clubs as well.

LT01

coochiee

Guess he's suggesting either the AFC & the Nix would then have a virtually 50% chance of being at future CWCs. ie if they were in the OFC Champions League, no other OFC club would come close to the A League pair.

On the other hand is virtually impossible for Australian ALM clubs to get close getting to a CWC. Apart from WSW's miracle win years ago, they are consistently dire in the AFC Champions League.

So if clubs who get to the CWC or Intercontionental Cup get a nice fat FIFA pay cheque, then yes the Australian ALM clubs could pretty fairly say to the Nix & AFC - how come you play in a AFC comp (A League) but get to the lucrative FIFA comps through a an OFC route?? Which is it, AFC or OFC.

Indeed it would be a competitive imbalance - this is what was raised by English clubs as well.

big difference is that the Welsh clubs mentioned can still get to Europe and the CWC via England. Our two teams cannot go anywhere at all currently. 

It's either let us play Asian Champions League or play in Oceania.

Marto

LT01

coochiee

Guess he's suggesting either the AFC & the Nix would then have a virtually 50% chance of being at future CWCs. ie if they were in the OFC Champions League, no other OFC club would come close to the A League pair.

On the other hand is virtually impossible for Australian ALM clubs to get close getting to a CWC. Apart from WSW's miracle win years ago, they are consistently dire in the AFC Champions League.

So if clubs who get to the CWC or Intercontionental Cup get a nice fat FIFA pay cheque, then yes the Australian ALM clubs could pretty fairly say to the Nix & AFC - how come you play in a AFC comp (A League) but get to the lucrative FIFA comps through a an OFC route?? Which is it, AFC or OFC.

Indeed it would be a competitive imbalance - this is what was raised by English clubs as well.

big difference is that the Welsh clubs mentioned can still get to Europe and the CWC visa England. Our two teams cannot go anywhere at all currently. 

It's either let us play Asian Champions League or play in Oceania.

Totally this. You'd think if the FA can manage to allow non-english clubs into their tournament then surely the AFC can do the same with the two non-Asian federated teams in their league. The precedent has been set.

Not sure about that... they're completely different things. Welsh clubs don't play outside their confederation - we do.

Marto

LT01

coochiee

Guess he's suggesting either the AFC & the Nix would then have a virtually 50% chance of being at future CWCs. ie if they were in the OFC Champions League, no other OFC club would come close to the A League pair.

On the other hand is virtually impossible for Australian ALM clubs to get close getting to a CWC. Apart from WSW's miracle win years ago, they are consistently dire in the AFC Champions League.

So if clubs who get to the CWC or Intercontionental Cup get a nice fat FIFA pay cheque, then yes the Australian ALM clubs could pretty fairly say to the Nix & AFC - how come you play in a AFC comp (A League) but get to the lucrative FIFA comps through a an OFC route?? Which is it, AFC or OFC.

Indeed it would be a competitive imbalance - this is what was raised by English clubs as well.

big difference is that the Welsh clubs mentioned can still get to Europe and the CWC visa England. Our two teams cannot go anywhere at all currently. 

It's either let us play Asian Champions League or play in Oceania.

It's a privilege we're playing in a different confederations league at all. No other clubs in the world do that. Remember we were under threat in mid 2010s. Remember FIFA, AFC and the Australian FA have all had a say in this in the past.

The problem with the Welsh clubs playing in Europe was that many of their competitors in the Championship and League One were worried about being outcompeted by something unequal.

The same would happen here - imagine it's Club World Cup year and Victory/Sydney/Wanderers etc. are having to compete for players with a team that's going to the Club World Cup through an avenue they don't have?

I would be more open to NZ teams representing Australia in AFC competitions, but AFCs position on this has been quite clear in the past and with only two spots atm it might be harsh to take a place off Aussie teams.

At least 4 applications from NZ apparently.
Christchurch United have openly said they will.
You'd think Auckland City will.

Any other Northern Region clubs? Olympic? Napier City?

Read somewhere that a South Auckland based side with lots of Polynesian players could even be possible. Noting not all clubs will actually need a stadium (just a training ground) with the league being played in 5 hub locations.

Then who knows with Auckland FC and the Nix.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-and-wellington-phoenix-seek-spots-in-new-oceania-professional-league/PSUNSWHJ5BHRZNAOCHOR7727IE/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIgq0lleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeaM-JYZ4EupmJGQx7QGC3LulI8sNHVMUnPFfNjMfO2tWpj5XnWjd2ydlQ_aem_x80KLWJ2ijM4Xe_D_swW1g

Twelve New Zealand clubs attended the latest workshop two weeks ago and OFC expect at least four applications from this country. It’s a rigorous process. Prospective teams have more than 150 documents to submit and are assessed across 40 different criteria, with the final decisions made by an independent panel. Competition licences, which will be valid for four years, will be issued to successful clubs in September.

The league will run a circuit series model, loosely based on rugby sevens. There will be rounds across five cities in the Pacific before semifinals and a final, with each team guaranteed a minimum of 17 games. Squads will have 20-23 players, with no more than six non-domestic players and a maximum of three from outside Oceania.

Castillo hopes the league can be a gamechanger for the region, offering pathways for players – particularly in the Islands – where previously there has been virtually none. He also expects national teams around the region to get stronger and compete with the All Whites for the new automatic qualifying spot into the Fifa World Cup.

It will also drive investment, both from governments and private backers. It’s understood there has already been interest from a European club – in a big footballing nation – in one of the new island clubs. It could also be complementary to a multi-club model.

The Pro League has been Castillo’s prized project since 2018, when the idea was conceived after discussions with OFC president Lambert Matlock. Castillo acknowledges the massive challenges – particularly around logistics, travel and lack of infrastructure - but is adamant it will work.

“We know the challenges,” Castillo said. “They are big in this region. Even New Zealand doesn’t have capacity to have a professional league. But we have no choice.

Thought i'd better delete this post about the irony of ACFC possibly playing in the pacific given their funding "practices"

Whoops, I've basically just gone and said it anyway.

Looks like they've settled the EOIs

Screenshot_20250303-180230.png 558.2 KB

League is with 10 clubs? 

If so you would imagine 2 each from Ausi and NZ and one each from the rest of the islands with Samoa likely missing out?

But on the other hand derbies! 

Good number of applications. Yeah OFC have said a max of 2 teams from one country. Looks like that the 24 EOIs could whittled down to a smaller number by June. Final announcement on the 8 selected teams by September

Initially the plan is only 8 clubs, but who knows if there is 10 quality entries, that stack up financially, they might start with 10.

Also read an article talking about a potential PI (Samoa?) team based in Sth Auckland. So don't rule that out. Bit like Moana Pasika in Super Rugby.

From memory the comp will be played at 5 hub locations. So 3-5 of the teams (non hub clubs) won't even need a proper home ground to play out of. Just quality training facilities.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/strong-interest-as-24-clubs-eye-historic-spot-in-ofc-professional-league/

The race is now on for clubs to secure a spot in the elite eight-team competition, which will run from early January to May 2026, with the application process continuing through until the end of June.

Timeline:
End of June 2025: Conclusion of the club application process.
August 2025: OFC Club Licensing Committee’s recommendations to the OFC Executive Committee.
September 2025: Final approval and issuance of licenses to the eight selected clubs.
January 2026: OFC Professional League kicks off.

Dying to know which clubs wanted in, especially the Aussie clubs. Would've thought the introduction of the Championship would eliminate any EOI from Aus but maybe some thought it would be better to go pro through this method, even if it means leaving the Aus football pyramid.

I'm gonna guess most likely clubs from QLD or even Darwin. Maybe Perth. Closed geographically and trade/politics to the Pacific.

There will only be one QLD & one WA NPL club each in the 16 team Championship. It will be top heavy with NSW & VIC sides.

I know Sunshine Coast who play in the QLD NPL were gonna apply for the OFC League. 

Anyone guess the 6 NZ clubs? Nix, Auckland City, Christchurch, assume Auckland FC……. Any other guesses? I’m convinced Wellington Olympic would be keen. 

Not sure why Australia gets a go in this. Hows it going to work for them if they can only field 3 non Oceania players. Maybe they need them as one of the viable hubs so will make a dispensation. Dont want the Nix or AFC involved. Auckland City and Christchurch U for me. Five hubs, Auckland, Christchurch, Australia, Noumea(when it gets rebuilt) Fiji. Too hard to fly 8 squads anywhere else

No-one has yet given me a straight answer how NZ football clubs who are funded by pokies money can now declare themselves to be "professional" without losing that

Isn't OFC funding this whole thing? I think that's how clubs are making it work. 

FIFA/OFC

FIFA is even more loaded than the Trillian Trust

But maybe it’s not a Central or Auckland City entry but a 3rd different entity and some creative accounting. All 3 flatmates happily living together at Kiwitea St

kwlap

Looks like they've settled the EOIs

Screenshot_20250303-180230.png 558.2 KB

24 teams have expressed interest, I assume they'll meet whatever requirements the league will have, but over half of them wont be picked? Is the final league 8 or 10 teams?

theprof

kwlap

Looks like they've settled the EOIs

Screenshot_20250303-180230.png 558.2 KB

24 teams have expressed interest, I assume they'll meet whatever requirements the league will have, but over half of them wont be picked? Is the final league 8 or 10 teams?

Supposed to be 8 teams according to their graphic they put out last month showing how the league will work

I would have thought with so many teams being interested you'd want more of them involved. Taking 8 out of 24 isnt even taking one from each country that has had a team show interest.

theprof

I would have thought with so many teams being interested you'd want more of them involved. Taking 8 out of 24 isnt even taking one from each country that has had a team show interest.

If it involves x amount of seed funding, then watering that down amongst a load of teams isn’t sensible (and thus why that figure I assume)

Completing a EOI could be as easy as completing a simple questionaire, without much real DD. Of these 24 team bids you'd expect a number to be nowhere near good enough.

It's also going to be a relatively short competition running from Jan to May in Year 1.

OFC is a poor Confederation spread over various Islands, languages, time zones and cultures. This project ain't simple to construct from scratch, even with FIFA's cash.

It's going to take a mountain of work to setup the teams, quality facilities, sort out the logistics of the hubs, get sponsors on board, quality media facilities etc etc etc.

Start small in Year 1, with room to grow in the future. The ALM started as 8 teams. It's been a bumpy ride, but now up to 13.

kwlap

Isn't OFC funding this whole thing? I think that's how clubs are making it work. 

FIFA is funding travel, accomodation, and stadium hire - but things like contracting players, staff and other running costs fall on the clubs.

Doloras

No-one has yet given me a straight answer how NZ football clubs who are funded by pokies money can now declare themselves to be "professional" without losing that

In the case of Auckland City if they are one of the ones who applied and are successful I can see them rolling all NL and community "amateur" stuff to their sister brand Central Utd who will suddenly receive an increase of grant funding suspiciously similar to the amount Auckland City used to get.

For other clubs - I guess if you create a new entity that is separate from your club that takes the professional status and your community stuff still sits with separate accounts as a non profit then they could still get grant funding.

chopah

Doloras

No-one has yet given me a straight answer how NZ football clubs who are funded by pokies money can now declare themselves to be "professional" without losing that

In the case of Auckland City if they are one of the ones who applied and are successful I can see them rolling all NL and community "amateur" stuff to their sister brand Central Utd who will suddenly receive an increase of grant funding suspiciously similar to the amount Auckland City used to get.

For other clubs - I guess if you create a new entity that is separate from your club that takes the professional status and your community stuff still sits with separate accounts as a non profit then they could still get grant funding.

Sounds good. Auckland Utd could go pro and resurrect Onehunga Sports back into the NL

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360601320/nelson-suburbs-among-six-kiwi-football-clubs-express-interest-oceania-pro-league

Auckland FC, Christchurch United and Nelson Suburbs the confirmed NZ bids at the moment. Likely the Phoenix are in there too.

Auckland City - the current Oceania champions and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup representatives - have not expressed an interest.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360601320/nelson-suburbs-among-six-kiwi-football-clubs-express-interest-oceania-pro-league

End of an era. No more Auckland City at CWCs. Same the new annual Intercontinental Cup.

At least they will go out with a bang in this year's CWC version verus Bayern, Benfica & Boca Juniors.

Might lead to a spreading out of talent in the Northern League now. Less of an incentive for players to leave other clubs for ACFC.

LT01

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360601320/nelson-suburbs-among-six-kiwi-football-clubs-express-interest-oceania-pro-league

Auckland FC, Christchurch United and Nelson Suburbs the confirmed NZ bids at the moment. Likely the Phoenix are in there too.

Auckland City - the current Oceania champions and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup representatives - have not expressed an interest.

Interesting that Auckland City haven't made a bid. I'm surprised they would be so OK with lowing their route to the Club World Cup - unless of course they have made a bid, but just as a separate entity so they can keep their pokie money

It’s a little strange. Maybe they have developed a relationship with Auckland FC which benefits both parties?

Perhaps they are playing a game of wait and see with this competition?

LT01

Perhaps they are playing a game of wait and see with this competition?

City have released a statement which says very little except that they will not be participating in this competition in any way.