2026 New Zealand National League
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
← 2025 2027 → | |
The 2026 New Zealand Men's National League (known as the Dettol Men's National League for sponsorship reasons) will be the sixth scheduled season of the National League since its restructuring in 2021; the 2021 National League was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in northern regions.[1] 32 clubs compete in the competition, with four qualifying from the Northern League, three qualifying from the Central League and two qualifying from the Southern League for the National Championship phase.[2][3] Auckland FC Reserves and Wellington Phoenix Reserves qualify automatically for the championship phase. Each team can field a maximum of four foreign players as well as one additional foreign player who has Oceania Football Confederation nationality.[4]
Qualifying leagues
2026 Northern League
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
← 2025 2027 → | |
Northern League teams
Twelve teams are competing in the league – the top ten teams from the previous season and the two teams promoted from the NRFL Championship. The promoted teams are Manukau United and Melville United.[5] Manukau United return after a two-year absence, while Melville United return after one. They replaced Manurewa and West Coast Rangers (both relegated after a three-year Northern League spell).[6]
| Team | Home ground | Location | 2025 season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland City | Kiwitea Street | Sandringham, Auckland | 4th |
| Auckland FC Reserves | Fred Taylor Park | Whenuapai, Auckland | 9th |
| Auckland United | Keith Hay Park | Mount Roskill, Auckland | 3rd |
| Bay Olympic | Olympic Park | New Lynn, Auckland | 8th |
| Birkenhead United | Shepherds Park | Beach Haven, Auckland | 2nd |
| East Coast Bays | Bay City Park | Northcross, Auckland | 6th |
| Eastern Suburbs | Madills Farm | Kohimarama, Auckland | 5th |
| Fencibles United | Riverhills Domain | Pakuranga, Auckland | 10th |
| Manukau United | Centre Park | Māngere East, Auckland | 1st in Championship (promoted) |
| Melville United | Gower Park | Melville, Hamilton | 2nd in Championship (promoted) |
| Tauranga City | Links Avenue Reserve | Mount Maunganui | 7th |
| Western Springs | Seddon Fields | Westmere, Auckland | 1st |
Northern League personnel
| Team | Manager | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland City | ||
| Auckland FC Reserves | ||
| Auckland United | ||
| Bay Olympic | ||
| Birkenhead United | ||
| East Coast Bays | ||
| Eastern Suburbs | ||
| Fencibles United | ||
| Manukau United | ||
| Melville United | ||
| Tauranga City | ||
| Western Springs |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melville United | Stepped down | 30 August 2025 | Preseason | 24 November 2025 | ||
| Manukau United | Signed by Manurewa | 15 November 2025 | ||||
| Auckland FC Reserves | Promoted to OFC Pro League team | 1 December 2025 | 29 January 2026 | |||
| Auckland United | Stepped down | 12 December 2025 | 21 December 2025 | |||
| Auckland City | Stepped down | 15 December 2025 | 16 December 2025 |
Northern League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Winner of Northern League and qualification to National League Championship |
| 2 | Auckland FC Reserves[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification to National League Championship |
| 3 | Auckland United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Bay Olympic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Birkenhead United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | East Coast Bays | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Eastern Suburbs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Fencibles United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Manukau United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Melville United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | Tauranga City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to NRFL Championship |
| 12 | Western Springs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[30]
Notes:
- ^ Auckland FC Reserves gain automatic entry into the National League Championship phase and cannot be relegated due to the A-League Men requirements.[29]
Northern League results table
2026 Central League
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
← 2025 2027 → | |
Central League teams
Ten teams are competing in the league – the top nine teams from the previous season and the one team promoted from the 2025 Central League 2. The promoted team is FC Western.[31] This is their first season in the Central League, since New Zealand football's restructuring in 2021. They replaced North Wellington (relegated after a five-year Central League spell).[32]
| Team | Home ground | Location | 2025 season |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Western | Lynmouth Park | Lynmouth, New Plymouth | 1st in Central League 2 (promoted) |
| Island Bay United | Wakefield Park | Island Bay, Wellington | 6th |
| Miramar Rangers | David Farrington Park | Miramar, Wellington | 2nd |
| Napier City Rovers | Bluewater Stadium | Napier | 5th |
| Petone | Memorial Park | Petone, Lower Hutt | 9th |
| Upper Hutt City | Maidstone Park | Maidstone, Upper Hutt | 8th |
| Waterside Karori | Karori Park | Karori, Wellington | 7th |
| Wellington Olympic | Wakefield Park | Island Bay, Wellington | 1st |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | Fraser Park | Taitā, Lower Hutt | 4th |
| Western Suburbs | Endeavour Park | Porirua | 3rd |
Central League personnel
| Team | Manager[33] | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| FC Western | Josh Dobson | |
| Island Bay United | ||
| Miramar Rangers | ||
| Napier City Rovers | ||
| Petone | ||
| Upper Hutt City | ||
| Waterside Karori | ||
| Wellington Olympic | ||
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | ||
| Western Suburbs |
Managerial Changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Bay United | End of contract | 30 August 2025 | Pre-season | 21 October 2025 | ||
| Petone | Stepped down | 21 October 2025 | 28 October 2025 | |||
| Miramar Rangers | Stepped down | 6 December 2025 | 14 December 2025 | |||
| Wellington Olympic | Stepped down | 13 December 2025 | 24 December 2025 | |||
| Upper Hutt City | Stepped down | 19 December 2025 |
Central League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Western | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Winner of Central League and qualification to National League Championship |
| 2 | Island Bay United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification to National League Championship |
| 3 | Miramar Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Napier City Rovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Petone | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Upper Hutt City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Waterside Karori | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Wellington Olympic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification to National League Championship |
| 10 | Western Suburbs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to Central League 2 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[30]
Notes:
- ^ Wellington Phoenix Reserves gain automatic entry into the National League Championship phase and cannot be relegated due to the A-League Men requirements.[2]
Central League results table
2026 Southern League
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
← 2025 2027 → | |
The 2026 Southern League is the 5th season of a full 10 team league, 6th season since the restructure of the leagues, of a South Island wide football league. The League starts in March and finishes in September, with the top two side qualifying for the National League Championship.
Southern League teams
Ten teams are competing in the league – the top nine teams from the previous season and the winner of the Southern League play-offs. The promoted team is Northern.[46] This is their first season in the Southern League. They replaced Selwyn United (relegated after five seasons in the Southern League).[47]
On 12 February, Selwyn United announced that "we have been offered, and have accepted, a place in the Southern League for the upcoming season following a vacancy in the competition".[48] Currently there hasn't been an official announcement from Mainland Football or New Zealand Football regarding the situation, or who they will be replacing - currently thought to be University of Canterbury due to a lack of a qualified coach.
| Team | Home ground | Location | 2025 season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashmere Technical | Garrick Memorial Park | Woolston, Christchurch | 3rd |
| Christchurch United | United Sports Centre | Spreydon, Christchurch | 2nd |
| Coastal Spirit | Tāne Norton Park | Linwood, Christchurch | 1st |
| Dunedin City Royals | Tahuna Park | Tainui, Dunedin | 7th |
| Ferrymead Bays | Ferrymead Park | Ferrymead, Christchurch | 6th |
| Nelson Suburbs | Saxton Field | Stoke, Nelson | 4th |
| Nomads United | Tulett Park | Casebrook, Christchurch | 5th |
| Northern | Caledonian Ground | Dunedin North, Dunedin | 1st in Southern Premiership League (promoted via play-offs) |
| University of Canterbury | English Park | St Albans, Christchurch | 9th |
| Wānaka | Wānaka Recreation Centre | Wānaka | 8th |
Southern League personnel
| Team | Manager | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Cashmere Technical | ||
| Christchurch United | ||
| Coastal Spirit | ||
| Dunedin City Royals | ||
| Ferrymead Bays | ||
| Nelson Suburbs | ||
| Nomads United | ||
| Northern | ||
| University of Canterbury | ||
| Wānaka |
Managerial Changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch United | New job with South Island United | 29 November 2025 | Pre-season | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Wānaka | Signed by Auckland United | 21 December 2025 |
Southern League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cashmere Technical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Winner of Southern League and qualification to National League Championship |
| 2 | Christchurch United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification to National League Championship |
| 3 | Coastal Spirit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Dunedin City Royals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Ferrymead Bays | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Nelson Suburbs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Nomads United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Northern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | University of Canterbury | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Wānaka | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegated to the Nelson Premiership/Canterbury Premiership/Southern Premiership |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[60]
Southern League results table
Qualified clubs
There are 11 men's National League Championship qualifying spots (4 plus Auckland FC Reserves for the Northern League, 3 plus Wellington Phoenix Reserves for the Central League and 2 for the Southern League).[2]
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| Association | Team | Position in Regional League | App (last) | Previous best (last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern League (4 berths) | 1st | |||
| 2nd | ||||
| 3rd | ||||
| 4th | ||||
| Central League (3 berths) | 1st | |||
| 3rd | ||||
| 4th | ||||
| Southern League (2 berths) | 1st | |||
| 2nd | ||||
| Auckland FC (automatic berth) | Auckland FC Reserves | Automatic qualification | 2nd (2025) | 4th (2025) |
| Wellington Phoenix (automatic berth) | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | Automatic qualification | 5th (2025) | 5th (2024) |
Championship phase
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland FC Reserves[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Northern League 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification to Grand Final |
| 4 | Northern League 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Northern League 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Northern League 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Central League 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Central League 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Central League 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Southern League 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | Southern League 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals for; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record[61]
Notes:
- ^ a b Auckland FC Reserves and Wellington Phoenix Reserves can not qualify for the Grand Final.[61]
Notes
References
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