Season 25/26 General Discussion

AucklandPhoenix

I’m sure the answer is in some thread and I know the Western drama has complicated things, but when has it been publicly stated when the dam draw will be released?

 I've heard it will be next week 

AucklandPhoenix

I’m sure the answer is in some thread and I know the Western drama has complicated things, but when has it been publicly stated when the dam draw will be released?

It was in this statement from the APL that they released on Friday last week (29 Aug) - they said both men's and women's draws will be released in the next 2 weeks - so should be by Friday next week at the latest hopefully

Statement from the APL on the winding up order issued to Western United. pic.twitter.com/OW1yjyTXHF

— Joey Lynch (@joeylynchy) August 29, 2025

AucklandPhoenix

I’m sure the answer is in some thread and I know the Western drama has complicated things, but when has it been publicly stated when the dam draw will be released?

They have confirmed that they are releasing the draw next week.

There is talk about them actually releasing two sets, one with WUN and one without WUN. If that is the case, I dunno if I would be booking flights based on them just yet.

RR

AucklandPhoenix

I’m sure the answer is in some thread and I know the Western drama has complicated things, but when has it been publicly stated when the dam draw will be released?

They have confirmed that they are releasing the draw next week.

There is talk about them actually releasing two sets, one with WUN and one without WUN. If that is the case, I dunno if I would be booking flights based on them just yet.

... if they want a challenge, they could do it so that one set has WUN and a bye, and the other set, if you were due to play WUN, you instead play the team that had the bye.  That way you could book travel on all but two rounds, problem is one of the reasons you might have a bye on a certain week is stadium unavailability ...

AucklandPhoenix

I’m sure the answer is in some thread and I know the Western drama has complicated things, but when has it been publicly stated when the dam draw will be released?

When they announced the Western United "hibernation" on Saturday, APL said it would be coming mid next week, so presumably Thursday at the latest. Look for one fixture for each team to be revealed via the A-Leagues phone app and count on there being a derby in each city before Christmas.

andrewvoerman

AucklandPhoenix

I’m sure the answer is in some thread and I know the Western drama has complicated things, but when has it been publicly stated when the dam draw will be released?

When they announced the Western United "hibernation" on Saturday, APL said it would be coming mid next week, so presumably Thursday at the latest. Look for one fixture for each team to be revealed via the A-Leagues phone app and count on there being a derby in each city before Christmas.

It'd be good if the new draw has pushed the first Kiwi derby date back from the rumoured 8 Nov.

Considering how late this draw is coming out it makes it a lot harder for away fans to make plans and get flights, accommodation etc with such short notice. Not such an issue for other derbies in the league as they are true derbies so travel isn't necessary.

Better chance of a good away presence that way

Half a Pint

andrewvoerman

AucklandPhoenix

I’m sure the answer is in some thread and I know the Western drama has complicated things, but when has it been publicly stated when the dam draw will be released?

When they announced the Western United "hibernation" on Saturday, APL said it would be coming mid next week, so presumably Thursday at the latest. Look for one fixture for each team to be revealed via the A-Leagues phone app and count on there being a derby in each city before Christmas.

It'd be good if the new draw has pushed the first Kiwi derby date back from the rumoured 8 Nov.

Considering how late this draw is coming out it makes it a lot harder for away fans to make plans and get flights, accommodation etc with such short notice. Not such an issue for other derbies in the league as they are true derbies so travel isn't necessary.

Better chance of a good away presence that way

 Don't get your hopes up.

I presume if it was to be 8 Nov then it’ll be in Auckland, as there’s a fair amount already going on in Wellington (darts + festival)? not sure the police would want to deal with the blue orcs that day.

WanderingSheep

I presume if it was to be 8 Nov then it’ll be in Auckland, as there’s a fair amount already going on in Wellington (darts + festival)? not sure the police would want to deal with the blue orcs that day.

Auckland's not going to be hosting three derbies in a row.

WanderingSheep

I presume if it was to be 8 Nov then it’ll be in Auckland, as there’s a fair amount already going on in Wellington (darts + festival)? not sure the police would want to deal with the blue orcs that day.

I believe Wellington is supposed to host 1st and 3rd derbies this season and Auckland hosts the 2nd

Appears that if you have the A-Leagues app downloaded & your team set, it will reveal the Rnd 1 fixture for your team tomorrow at 8am AEST

Perth away for round 1 - 18 Oct 11:45pm NZT

Preety good fixture.

Beat them last time there- admittedly penalties.

Plus will allow them time to get there well in advance to get over the flight and time zone.

Half a Pint

Perth away for round 1 - 18 Oct 11:45pm NZT

Just had to be a 2am finish first up didn't it? 😅

AucklandPhoenix

Preety good fixture.

Beat them last time there- admittedly penalties.

Plus will allow them time to get there well in advance to get over the flight and time zone.

AWs play in Norway on the 15th, so it cuts down the travel for Payne & maybe Rufer.

The wording of Auckland's post about their derby makes me uneasy - "our first home derby of the season" - makes me feel like they've pulled some bullshark and got another home derby again

Jazzy Jeff

The wording of Auckland's post about their derby makes me uneasy - "our first home derby of the season" - makes me feel like they've pulled some bullshark and got another home derby again

I can reassure you it is their only one.

Ridiculous 2 Derbys are played before either team has really warmed up for the season.

There is no warm up. You have to be ready from day one

Jazzy Jeff

The wording of Auckland's post about their derby makes me uneasy - "our first home derby of the season" - makes me feel like they've pulled some bullshark and got another home derby again

They're backing us to play them in the finals, apparently

hepatitis

There is no warm up. You have to be ready from day one

Have we ever been. 😒

1st Derby - 8 Nov Home
2nd Derby - 6 Dec Away
3rd Derby - 21 Feb Home

all saturday games, all must win!

https://wellingtonphoenix.com/news/nix-fixtures-released-for-the-upcoming-season/

Looks like final home game on April 19th vs WSW is down in Christchurch, venue not confirmed though. Perhaps trying to get in as a test event prior to Super Round?

leaving NZ only twice in the first 8 games, must make a good start. 

Six of our first nine games at home, and Perth, Brisbane + Central Coast in the opening three weeks before the first derby at home.

Pretty good draw tbh. But would perhaps like to see the derbies spread out over the course of the season. 

Maybe thats too much to ask? Having two before Christmas just feels, well it just feels a bit stupid in all honesty.

Couple Aussie double headers to consider for away trips

Sun Jan 18 SYD v WEL
Fri Jan 23 NEW v WEL

&

Sun Apr 5 - MVC v WEL
Sun Apr 12 - MCY v WEL

Nixieboys222

leaving NZ only twice in the first 8 games, must make a good start. 

They probably want to maximize the crowds before interest in the season drops off, in case we don't have a good season.

First home derby on 8 November is a double header with the women playing Canberra at 4pm before the men play Auckland at 7pm

RR

Couple Aussie double headers to consider for away trips

Sun Jan 18 SYD v WEL
Fri Jan 23 NEW v WEL

&

Sun Apr 5 - MVC v WEL
Sun Apr 12 - MCY v WEL

 The Melbourne trip could be a good one. That is Easter weekend.

😃

Most important fixture is Pubs of Lockhead whens that.

ballane

Most important fixture is Pubs of Lockhead whens that.

21st December vs Mariners by the looks of things

Only problem with that ir means we probsbly have extended periods with no games at home that does nothing for building crowds.

ballane

Most important fixture is Pubs of Lockhead whens that.

December 21st meets the 'Last Home game before Xmas' criteria but that might be the closest to Xmas ever? Maybe the new Fever Elite will need to consider the Dec 14th game?

RR

ballane

Most important fixture is Pubs of Lockhead whens that.

December 21st meets the 'Last Home game before Xmas' criteria but that might be the closest to Xmas ever? Maybe the new Fever Elite will need to consider the Dec 14th game?

I believe it was on the 22nd of December back in the 2012/13 season so 21st December this year wouldn't be unprecedented 

Half a Pint

RR

ballane

Most important fixture is Pubs of Lockhead whens that.

December 21st meets the 'Last Home game before Xmas' criteria but that might be the closest to Xmas ever? Maybe the new Fever Elite will need to consider the Dec 14th game?

I believe it was on the 22nd of December back in the 2012/13 season so 21st December this year wouldn't be unprecedented 

There is an ALW match on Dec 20th, so that might attract a few out of towners to see two games.

So 2 day event? 12 Pubs of Longo / 12 Pubs of Lochhead? 

Apart from AFC, who are the three teams that are played 3 times?

AucklandPhoenix

Apart from AFC, who are the three teams that are played 3 times?

 
Adelaide and AFC twice at home with Vuck and Roar twice away