2026 New Zealand National League

New Zealand National League
Season2026
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

Northern League
Season2026
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 Czech Republic Rudy Mozr[7] New Zealand Mario Ilich
Auckland FC Reserves New Zealand Rory Fallon[8]
Auckland United United States Ben Sippola[9] New Zealand Ross Haviland[10]
Bay Olympic New Zealand Peter Smith[11] New Zealand Callum McNeill[12]
Birkenhead United England Paul Hobson[13] New Zealand Dino Botica[14]
East Coast Bays New Zealand Joe Hall[15] New Zealand Louie Caunter[16]
Eastern Suburbs New Zealand Michael Built[17] New Zealand Jake Mechell
Fencibles United New Zealand Rhys Ruka[18] New Zealand Jake Moosbally[19]
Manukau United
Melville United New Zealand Aaron Scott
England Harry Trethowan[20]
Tauranga City Scotland Barry Gardiner[21] New Zealand Campbell Higgins[22]
Western Springs England Scott Hales[23] New Zealand Reid Drake[14]

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in the table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Melville United New Zealand Jarrod Young[24] Stepped down 30 August 2025 Preseason New Zealand Aaron Scott
England Harry Trethowan[20]
24 November 2025
Manukau United South Africa Tashreeq Davids[25] Signed by Manurewa 15 November 2025
Auckland FC Reserves Australia Luke Casserly[26] Promoted to OFC Pro League team 1 December 2025 New Zealand Rory Fallon[8] 29 January 2026
Auckland United England José Figueira[27] Stepped down 12 December 2025 United States Ben Sippola[9] 21 December 2025
Auckland City New Zealand Paul Posa[28] Stepped down 15 December 2025 Czech Republic Rudy Mozr[7] 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
First match(es) will be played: March 2026. Source: NRF
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:
  1. ^ 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

Home \ Away AKC AFC AKU BAY BIR ECB EAS FEN MAN MEL TGA WSP
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
First match(es) will be played: March 2026. Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

2026 Central League

Central League
Season2026
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 New Zealand Callum Holmes[34]
Miramar Rangers England Jamie O’Connor[35]
Napier City Rovers England Bill Robertson England Jim Hoyle[36]
Petone New Zealand Sam Pickering[37][38] New Zealand Hami Paranihi-Nuku
Upper Hutt City
Waterside Karori New Zealand Sam Morrissey[39] England Harry Fautley
Wellington Olympic New Zealand Ekow Quainoo[40] Cook Islands Ben Mata[41]
Wellington Phoenix Reserves England Chris Greenacre New Zealand Isaac Hughes
Western Suburbs New Zealand Matthew Calvert Canada Harry Fautley

Managerial Changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in the table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Island Bay United Argentina Martín Pereyra-García End of contract 30 August 2025 Pre-season New Zealand Callum Holmes[34] 21 October 2025
Petone England Jamie O’Connor[42] Stepped down 21 October 2025 New Zealand Sam Pickering[37][38] 28 October 2025
Miramar Rangers New Zealand Kale Herbert[43] Stepped down 6 December 2025 England Jamie O’Connor[35] 14 December 2025
Wellington Olympic Barbados Paul Ifill[44] Stepped down 13 December 2025 New Zealand Ekow Quainoo[40] 24 December 2025
Upper Hutt City New Zealand Rory Fallon[45] 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
First match(es) will be played: March 2026. Source: Capital Football
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:
  1. ^ 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

Home \ Away FCW IBU MRA NCR PET UHC WKA WOP WPX WES
FC Western
Island Bay United
Miramar Rangers
Napier City Rovers
Petone
Upper Hutt City
Waterside Karori
Wellington Olympic
Wellington Phoenix Reserves
Western Suburbs
First match(es) will be played: March 2026. Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

2026 Southern League

Southern League
Season2026
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 England Dan Schwarz[49] England Tom Schwarz[49]
Christchurch United Spain Albert Riera[50] New Zealand Matt Tod-Smith
Coastal Spirit New Zealand Robbie Stanton[51][52] New Zealand Joe Hoole[53][54]
Dunedin City Royals New Zealand Blair Scoullar[55] New Zealand Jared Grove
Ferrymead Bays New Zealand Alan Walker[56] Republic of Ireland James Deehan
Nelson Suburbs Northern Ireland Ryan Stewart England Lennon Whewell[57]
Nomads United New Zealand Matthew Jansen[58] New Zealand Caleb Cottom
Northern New Zealand Arran Wilkinson New Zealand Luka Mandich
University of Canterbury Uruguay Ricardo Felitti New Zealand Max McGuinness
Wānaka New Zealand Jake Thompson

Managerial Changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in the table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Christchurch United New Zealand Ryan Edwards[59] New job with South Island United 29 November 2025 Pre-season Spain Albert Riera[50] 13 November 2025
Wānaka United States Ben Sippola[9] 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
First match(es) will be played: March 2026. Source: Mainland Football
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

Home \ Away CAS CHU CSP DCR FMB NEL NOM NOR UCF WĀN
Cashmere Technical
Christchurch United
Coastal Spirit
Dunedin City Royals
Ferrymead Bays
Nelson Suburbs
Nomads United
Northern
University of Canterbury
Wānaka
First match(es) will be played: March 2026. Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

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]

2026 New Zealand National League is located in New Zealand
Auckland
Auckland
Wellington
Wellington
Location of clubs in New Zealand for the 2026 National League season
Location of clubs in Auckland Region for the 2026 National League season
Location of clubs in Wellington Region for the 2026 National League season
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
First match(es) will be played: September 2026. Source: New Zealand Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals for; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record[61]
Notes:

Notes

References

  1. ^ "National League Championship cancelled, new interregional competition announced and Chatham Cup moved to 2022". New Zealand Football.
  2. ^ a b c "National League Regulations 2022: Article 12". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  3. ^ "New National League system". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Two National League clubs found to have breached foreign player regulations". New Zealand Football. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Manukau United and Melville United secure returns to Dettol Northern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Western Springs make history with title-winning Northern League season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Auckland City unveil Rody Mozr as head coach for 2026 season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  8. ^ a b "All Whites Legend Named as New AFC Reserves Head Coach". Auckland FC. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b c "Auckland United name Ben Sippola as new premier men's head coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Double-round weekend will put pressure on Northern League sides". Friends of Football. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  11. ^ "MEN's FIRST TEAM & U23s 2024". Bay Olympic. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  12. ^ "CALLUM MCNEILL". Bay Olympic. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024 – via Instagram.
  13. ^ "Senior Men's". Birkenhead United AFC. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Birkenhead United v Western Springs". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  15. ^ "About Us". East Coast Bays AFC. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  16. ^ "East Coast Bays AFC is excited to announce the following signings for the 2023 NRFL Season!!!". East Coast Bays AFC Instagram. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Long-serving Michael Built takes over as men's head coach at Eastern Suburbs". friendsoffootball.com. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Fencibles United unveil Rhys Ruka as men's head coach for Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Auckland United v Fencibles United". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Melville United appoint duo as co-coaches for return to Northern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Revamped Lotto NRFL Championship begins with new faces in the dugouts". friendsoffootballnz.com. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  22. ^ "📣Player Announcement". Tauranga City. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024 – via Instagram.
  23. ^ "Western Springs name Scott Hales as club's new head of men's football". friendsoffootballnz.com. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  24. ^ "Jarrod Young to leave role as Melville United's men's first team coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  25. ^ "Manurewa re-appoint Tashreeq Davids for next season's Championship campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  26. ^ "Luke Casserly Named AFC Pro League Head Coach". Auckland FC. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  27. ^ "Men's head coach Jose Figueira to leave Auckland United 'after careful reflection'". friendsoffootballnz.com. 14 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  28. ^ "Paul Posa Ends Era on High". Auckland City FC. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  29. ^ "National League Regulations 2022: Article 12". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  30. ^ a b "National League Regulations 2023: Article 29 - NL Format". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  31. ^ Browne, Adam (27 August 2025). "Western claim Central League 2 crown after evenly-contested season". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  32. ^ "Last game draw not enough to save North Wellington from Central League drop". friendsoffootballnz.com. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  33. ^ "2022 Central League Preview". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Island Bay United name Callum Holmes as new director of football". friendsoffootballnz.com. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  35. ^ a b "Miramar Rangers appoint Jamie O'Connor as new Central League head coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  36. ^ "📢 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 ✍️". Napier City Rovers Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Men's Coaching Announcement!". Petone FC. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  38. ^ a b "We are delighted to announce Sam Pickering as our new Men's First Team Head Coach & Head of Men's Football 🥹💙". Petone FC. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025 – via Instagram.
  39. ^ "Waterside Karori appoint new coach for next season's Central League campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Title-winning Ekow Quainoo signs two-year contract with Wellington Olympic". friendsoffootballnz.com. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  41. ^ "✍🏽 Player Re-Signing Announcement". Wellington Olympic AFC Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  42. ^ "Petone's Jamie O'Connor steps down from Central League coaching role". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  43. ^ "Kale Herbert to step away from coaching role at Miramar Rangers". friendsoffootballnz.com. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  44. ^ "It's all on the line in grand final between arch rivals in men's National League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 13 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  45. ^ "Rory Fallon to leave Upper Hutt City for 'exciting new opportunity'". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  46. ^ "Northern complete unbeaten season to win promotion to Southern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  47. ^ "Coastal Spirit lift Southern League title and qualify for men's National League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  48. ^ "Selwyn United can confirm that we have been offered, and have accepted, a place in the Southern League for the upcoming season following a vacancy in the competition". Selwyn United FC. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026 – via Facebook.
  49. ^ a b "Premier Men Football Team". Cashmere Technical. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  50. ^ a b "Christchurch United unveil ex-Auckland City coach Albert Riera as new coach". Christchurch United. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  51. ^ "New Head Coach". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  52. ^ "Men's Football". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  53. ^ "*MENS FIRST TEAM SIGNING*". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 15 January 2025 – via Facebook.
  54. ^ "PREMIER MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SIGNING 🖤💙". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 12 February 2025 – via Instagram.
  55. ^ "Head Coach 2025". Dunedin City Royals Instagram. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  56. ^ "Seniors". Ferrymead Bays. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  57. ^ "2025 SPL Captain Announcement 🏆🔵". Nelson Suburbs Instagram. 24 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  58. ^ "PREMIER MENS". Nomads United. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  59. ^ "New coach to take charge as Chch United joins pro ranks". The Press. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  60. ^ "National League Regulations 2025: Article 29 - NL Format". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  61. ^ a b "National League Regulations 2025: Article 29 - NL Format". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 5 February 2025.